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Jeremiah 20

World English Bible

WEB

1Now Pashhur, the son of Immer the priest, who was chief officer in Yahweh’s house, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things. 2Then Pashhur struck Jeremiah the prophet and put him in the stocks that were in the upper gate of Benjamin, which was in Yahweh’s house. 3On the next day, Pashhur released Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then Jeremiah said to him, “Yahweh has not called your name Pashhur, but Magormissabib. 4For Yahweh says, ‘Behold, I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends. They will fall by the sword of their enemies, and your eyes will see it. I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will carry them captive to Babylon, and will kill them with the sword. 5Moreover I will give all the riches of this city, and all its gains, and all its precious things, yes, I will give all the treasures of the kings of Judah into the hand of their enemies. They will make them captives, take them, and carry them to Babylon. 6You, Pashhur, and all who dwell in your house will go into captivity. You will come to Babylon, and there you will die, and there you will be buried, you, and all your friends, to whom you have prophesied falsely.’” 7Yahweh, you have persuaded me, and I was persuaded. You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day. Everyone mocks me. 8For as often as I speak, I cry out; I cry, “Violence and destruction!” because Yahweh’s word has been made a reproach to me, and a derision, all day. 9If I say that I will not make mention of him, or speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones. I am weary with holding it in. I can’t. 10For I have heard the defaming of many: “Terror on every side! Denounce, and we will denounce him!” say all my familiar friends, those who watch for my fall. “Perhaps he will be persuaded, and we will prevail against him, and we will take our revenge on him.” 11But Yahweh is with me as an awesome mighty one. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they won’t prevail. They will be utterly disappointed because they have not dealt wisely, even with an everlasting dishonor which will never be forgotten. 12But Yahweh of Armies, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance on them, for I have revealed my cause to you. 13Sing to Yahweh! Praise Yahweh, for he has delivered the soul of the needy from the hand of evildoers. 14Cursed is the day in which I was born. Don’t let the day in which my mother bore me be blessed. 15Cursed is the man who brought news to my father, saying, “A boy is born to you,” making him very glad. 16Let that man be as the cities which Yahweh overthrew, and didn’t repent. Let him hear a cry in the morning, and shouting at noontime, 17because he didn’t kill me from the womb. So my mother would have been my grave, and her womb always great. 18Why did I come out of the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Jeremiah Chapter 20 presents a poignant moment in the life of the prophet #Jeremiah, who faces intense persecution for delivering God’s messages. The chapter begins with the account of #Pashhur, the priest and chief officer in the house of the Lord, who strikes Jeremiah and puts him in stocks. This act of violence against Jeremiah illustrates the hostility he encounters from those in power who reject God’s word. Despite this, Jeremiah remains steadfast, proclaiming that he must speak the truth of God, even when it brings him suffering. He expresses his deep anguish and frustration, feeling deceived by God for the burden of prophecy he carries, stating, “I am in derision daily; everyone mocks me” (Jeremiah 20:7, NKJV).

In the midst of his despair, Jeremiah acknowledges that he cannot remain silent, for the word of the Lord is like a fire in his bones, compelling him to speak out. This powerful imagery emphasizes the urgency and necessity of his prophetic calling. The chapter concludes with Jeremiah’s lament, where he curses the day of his birth, expressing profound sorrow over his life’s path. Yet, even in his lamentation, he ultimately reaffirms his trust in God’s justice, declaring that the Lord will take care of his enemies. This chapter serves as a reminder of the cost of discipleship and the unwavering commitment required to follow God’s calling, even in the face of adversity.

Through Jeremiah’s struggles, we see the reality of prophetic ministry and the emotional toll it can take, yet we also witness the hope that comes from trusting in God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. #Prophet #Persecution #Faithfulness

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Referenced by

  1. Job 3:3v14Both Job and Jeremiah express a deep lament over their birth, wishing they had never been born due to their immense suffering.
  2. Job 10:18v14Job 10:18 reflects Job's wish that he had never been born, a sentiment echoed by Jeremiah in Jeremiah 20:14-18, where he curses the day of his birth, illustrating the depth of suffering and despair experienced by both men.
  3. Job 32:18v9Job 32:18 describes Elihu as being full of words, with a spirit within him compelling him to speak. This is similar to Jeremiah 20:9, where Jeremiah describes God's word as a fire in his heart, compelling him to speak.
  4. Jeremiah 37:15v2Jeremiah 37:15 describes Jeremiah being imprisoned, similar to his earlier imprisonment in Jeremiah 20:2, highlighting the prophet's suffering for delivering God's message.
  5. Amos 3:8v9Amos 3:8 describes the inevitability of prophesying when God speaks, akin to Jeremiah 20:9 where Jeremiah cannot hold back God's word, which is like a fire in his bones.
  6. 1 Corinthians 9:16v9Paul expresses a compulsion to preach the gospel, similar to Jeremiah's experience of being unable to hold back God's word, highlighting the divine calling and urgency in ministry.

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