Jeremiah 20:8
For whenever I speak, I cry out; I proclaim violence and destruction. For the word of the LORD has become to me a reproach and derision all day long.
For whenever I speak
This phrase indicates a continual action, suggesting that Jeremiah's role as a prophet is not occasional but a constant calling. The Hebrew root for "speak" is "דָּבַר" (dabar), which implies not just speaking but declaring or proclaiming. Jeremiah's life was dedicated to delivering God's messages, often at great personal cost. This reflects the prophet's obedience and the weight of his divine commission.

I cry out
The Hebrew word "זָעַק" (za'aq) is used here, which means to cry out or call for help. This conveys a sense of urgency and distress. Jeremiah's prophetic messages were not just spoken; they were delivered with a deep emotional intensity. This highlights the prophet's empathy and the burden he felt for his people, as he was compelled to deliver God's warnings with passion and sincerity.

I proclaim
The word "קָרָא" (qara) in Hebrew means to call out or announce. This indicates that Jeremiah's messages were not whispered or hidden but boldly declared. The role of a prophet was to be a public voice for God, and Jeremiah fulfilled this role despite opposition. This phrase underscores the courage required to stand firm in one's convictions and the importance of proclaiming truth, regardless of the consequences.

violence and destruction
These words, "חָמָס" (chamas) for violence and "שֹׁד" (shod) for destruction, reflect the content of Jeremiah's prophecies. They were warnings of impending judgment due to the people's disobedience. Historically, this was a time of great turmoil for Judah, with threats from surrounding nations. Jeremiah's messages were not popular, as they confronted the people with the reality of their sin and the consequences that would follow.

the word of the LORD
This phrase emphasizes the divine origin of Jeremiah's message. The Hebrew "דְּבַר־יְהוָה" (devar-YHWH) signifies that these were not Jeremiah's own words but those given to him by God. This underscores the authority and authenticity of his prophecies. In a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the belief in the inerrancy and divine inspiration of Scripture.

has become to me
This indicates a transformation in Jeremiah's experience. The Hebrew "הָיָה" (hayah) suggests a state of being or becoming. Jeremiah's relationship with God's word was not static; it was dynamic and deeply personal. This reflects the transformative power of engaging with God's word, which can profoundly impact one's life and mission.

a reproach and derision
The words "חֶרְפָּה" (cherpah) for reproach and "קֶלֶס" (qeles) for derision indicate the social and personal cost of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry. He faced mockery and scorn from those who rejected his message. This highlights the theme of suffering for righteousness, a common experience for those who stand for truth in a world that often opposes it.

all day long
This phrase underscores the relentless nature of Jeremiah's trials. The Hebrew "כָּל־הַיּוֹם" (kol-hayom) suggests a continuous, unending experience. Jeremiah's faithfulness in the face of constant opposition serves as an inspiration for believers to persevere in their own spiritual journeys, trusting that God is with them through every challenge.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah. Known for his lamentations and struggles with the burden of his prophetic mission.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its persistent idolatry and disobedience to God.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who communicates His will and judgments through His prophets.

4. Prophetic Ministry
The event of Jeremiah's calling and his ongoing mission to proclaim God's messages, often met with resistance and persecution.

5. Reproach and Derision
The social and emotional consequences Jeremiah faces as a result of his faithful proclamation of God's word, leading to personal suffering and isolation.
Teaching Points
The Cost of Faithfulness
Being faithful to God's calling can lead to personal suffering and social rejection. Jeremiah's experience reminds us that obedience to God may not always be met with approval from others.

The Burden of the Word
The message of God can be heavy and challenging, especially when it involves proclaiming difficult truths. Like Jeremiah, we must rely on God's strength to carry this burden.

Perseverance in Proclamation
Despite opposition, Jeremiah continued to speak God's truth. We are encouraged to persevere in sharing the gospel, even when it is unpopular or met with hostility.

Finding Joy in Suffering
While Jeremiah experienced derision, the New Testament teaches us to find joy in suffering for Christ, knowing that it aligns us with His mission and purpose.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Jeremiah's struggles highlight the importance of trusting in God's plan and timing, even when immediate circumstances seem discouraging.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jeremiah's experience of reproach and derision for speaking God's word challenge our own willingness to share the gospel today?

2. In what ways can we find encouragement from Jeremiah's perseverance in the face of opposition?

3. How do the experiences of other prophets, like Isaiah and Ezekiel, provide a broader understanding of the challenges faced by those who speak God's truth?

4. How can Jesus' teachings in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5) help us to reframe our understanding of suffering for righteousness?

5. What practical steps can we take to trust in God's sovereignty when we face rejection or ridicule for our faith?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 6
Isaiah's calling and his experience of being sent to a people who would not listen, similar to Jeremiah's experience.

Ezekiel 2-3
Ezekiel's commission to speak to a rebellious house, paralleling Jeremiah's mission and the resistance he faced.

Matthew 5:11-12
Jesus' teaching on the blessing of being persecuted for righteousness, which can be related to Jeremiah's experience of reproach.

Acts 5:41
The apostles rejoicing in suffering for the name of Jesus, reflecting a similar attitude to what Jeremiah is called to endure.
A Conflict not to be AvoidedD. Young Jeremiah 20:7-9
The Sorrow and Joy of God's ServantA.F. Muir Jeremiah 20:7-18
People
Benjamin, Immer, Jeremiah, Magormissabib, Pashur
Places
Babylon, Benjamin Gate, Topheth
Topics
Aloud, Behaviour, Cause, Cried, Cry, Daily, Derision, Destruction, Insult, Laughing, Loud, Oft, Often, Proclaim, Proclaiming, Reproach, Resulted, Shame, Shout, Spake, Speak, Spoil, Spoke, Violence, Violent, Voice, Wasting, Whenever
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 20:8

     5822   criticism, against believers
     6231   rejection of God

Jeremiah 20:7-8

     5265   complaints
     5893   insults

Jeremiah 20:7-9

     5821   criticism, among believers
     6233   rejection, experience

Jeremiah 20:7-10

     5945   self-pity

Jeremiah 20:8-9

     7758   preachers, call

Library
The Revelation to which the Scripture of the Old Testament Owes Its Existence.
"O Lord, . . . Thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed."--Jer. xx. 7. The understanding of the Holy Spirit's work in Scripture requires us to distinguish the preparation, and the formation that was the outcome of the preparation. We will discuss these two separately. The Holy Spirit prepared for Scripture by the operations which from Paradise to Patmos supernaturally apprehended the sinful life of this world, and thus raised up believing men who formed the developing Church. This will seem very
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Revelation of the Old Testament in Writing.
"Then I said, I will not speak any more in His Name. But His word was in my heart as a burning fire, shut up in my bones: and I was weary with forbearing, but I could not."--Jer. xx. 9. Altho the miracles performed for and in the midst of Israel created a glorious life-center in the midst of the heathen world, yet they did not constitute a Holy Scripture; for this can not be created except God speak to man, even to His people Israel. "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

One Thing is Needful;
or, SERIOUS MEDITATIONS UPON THE FOUR LAST THINGS: DEATH, JUDGMENT, HEAVEN, AND HELL UNTO WHICH IS ADDED EBAL AND GERIZZIM, OR THE BLESSING AND THE CURSE, by John Bunyan. London: Printed for Nath. Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1688.[1] ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. According to Charles Doe, in that curious sheet called The Struggler for the Preservation of Mr. John Bunyan's Labours, these poems were published about the year 1664, while the author was suffering imprisonment for conscience
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Baptist's Inquiry and Jesus' Discourse Suggested Thereby.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XI. 2-30; ^C Luke VII. 18-35. ^c 18 And the disciples of John told him of all these things. ^a 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent by his disciples ^c 19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them unto the Lord [John had been cast into prison about December, a.d. 27, and it was now after the Passover, possibly in May or June, a.d. 28. Herod Antipas had cast John into prison because John had reproved him for taking his brother's wife.
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Hindrances to Mourning
What shall we do to get our heart into this mourning frame? Do two things. Take heed of those things which will stop these channels of mourning; put yourselves upon the use of all means that will help forward holy mourning. Take heed of those things which will stop the current of tears. There are nine hindrances of mourning. 1 The love of sin. The love of sin is like a stone in the pipe which hinders the current of water. The love of sin makes sin taste sweet and this sweetness in sin bewitches the
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
"Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord."--Jeremiah i. 8. The Prophets were ever ungratefully treated by the Israelites, they were resisted, their warnings neglected, their good services forgotten. But there was this difference between the earlier and the later Prophets; the earlier lived and died in honour among their people,--in outward honour; though hated and thwarted by the wicked, they were exalted to high places, and ruled in the congregation.
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Meditations for the Morning.
1. Almighty God can, in the resurrection, as easily raise up thy body out of the grave, from the sleep of death, as he hath this morning wakened thee in thy bed, out of the sleep of nature. At the dawning of which resurrection day, Christ shall come to be glorified in his saints; and every one of the bodies of the thousands of his saints, being fashioned like unto his glorious body, shall shine as bright as the sun (2 Thess. i. 10; Jude, ver. 14; Phil. iii. 21; Luke ix. 31;) all the angels shining
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Ninth Commandment
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' Exod 20: 16. THE tongue which at first was made to be an organ of God's praise, is now become an instrument of unrighteousness. This commandment binds the tongue to its good behaviour. God has set two natural fences to keep in the tongue, the teeth and lips; and this commandment is a third fence set about it, that it should not break forth into evil. It has a prohibitory and a mandatory part: the first is set down in plain words, the other
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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