Assured of the Lord's Deliverance

Calling of Prophets

Jeremiah's Call and Commission

Jeremiah 15:10-21 The Message

Giving Everything Away for Nothing

10-11 Unlucky mother—that you had me as a son,
    given the unhappy job of indicting the whole country!
I’ve never hurt or harmed a soul,
    and yet everyone is out to get me.
But, God knows, I’ve done everything I could to help them,
    prayed for them and against their enemies.
I’ve always been on their side, trying to stave off disaster.
    God knows how I’ve tried!
12-14 “O Israel, O Judah, what are your chances
    against the iron juggernaut from the north?
In punishment for your sins, I’m giving away
    everything you’ve got, giving it away for nothing.
I’ll make you slaves to your enemies
    in a strange and far-off land.
My anger is blazing and fierce,
    burning in hot judgment against you.”
15-18 You know where I am, God! Remember what I’m doing here!
    Take my side against my detractors.
Don’t stand back while they ruin me.
    Just look at the abuse I’m taking!
When your words showed up, I ate them—
    swallowed them whole. What a feast!
What delight I took in being yours,
    O God, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!
I never joined the party crowd
    in their laughter and their fun.
Led by you, I went off by myself.
    You’d filled me with indignation. Their sin had me seething.
But why, why this chronic pain,
    this ever worsening wound and no healing in sight?
You’re nothing, God, but a mirage,
    a lovely oasis in the distance—and then nothing!
19-21 This is how God answered me:
“Take back those words, and I’ll take you back.
    Then you’ll stand tall before me.
Use words truly and well. Don’t stoop to cheap whining.
    Then, but only then, you’ll speak for me.
Let your words change them.
    Don’t change your words to suit them.
I’ll turn you into a steel wall,
    a thick steel wall, impregnable.
They’ll attack you but won’t put a dent in you
    because I’m at your side, defending and delivering.”
        God’s Decree.
“I’ll deliver you from the grip of the wicked.
    I’ll get you out of the clutch of the ruthless.”

For Reflection

As could be expected, Jeremiah's warnings created opposition.  He illustrated their sin and explained how their idolatry would lead to their destruction.  He pleaded with them to repent and revealed the happy results of turning again to obedience to God's law. Predictably, they laid the blame on their impending destruction on Jeremiah.  The made him their enemy.

How often do we blame the messenger for bad news?  How often do we ignore the truth and look for a more comfortable solution?  How often do we defend the indefensible to avoid admitting that we are wrong?

Pray

Pray that you will listen to criticism with an open mind to discovering truth rather than defending your position.  Pray that you will hear the truth as spoken by modern-day prophets.  Pray that when sin is pointed out, you will ask God for forgiveness and change your ways.