Chapter 20 – Jeremiah is Beaten

In chapter 20 Jeremiah bears the physical burden of his words against the powerful. A priest, named Pashur has Jeremiah apprehended and beaten. When Jeremiah is brought before Pashur after this beating, Jeremiah tells the priest that the nation will suffer judgment and be taken captive to Babylon and Pashur and his family will be among the exiles. 
He says that Pashur will not be known as Pashur to God, but as “terror on every side”. 

Then, beginning at verse 7, Jeremiah pleads and cries before God. 
This section contains some of the most stark, striking poetry in the book. 
“The word of the Lord has become a reproach to me all day long.” 
“If I say, ‘I will not mention him or speak his name,’ there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.” 
Jeremiah faces this trouble; he would rather not speak the word of God for the pain and opposition that it brings him, but if he does not speak the word of God, he is overcome by pain at holding it in. 
He then says that people are calling him (not Pashur) “terror on every side”.  

To get a sense of the emotion and turmoil that Jeremiah is feeling look at verses 13 and 14: In verse 13 Jeremiah sounds like a Psalmist filled with praise; 
“Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hands of the evildoers.” 

Then verse 14; 
“Cursed is the day on which I was born...”  

One of the most cruel deceptions of our current religious landscape is the prosperity gospel. 
“Believe for your miracle.” “If you just feed your faith, you will know blessings of health and success.” It’s cruel because it lines the pockets of those who sell it with the money of its victims and it leaves its victims feeling that any suffering on their part must be their fault. 
It presents the false idea that if only we believe, we will avoid difficulty and pain. 
We are indeed promised blessing from God, but we are not immune from pain and sorrow and loss.  

Consider Jeremiah. Jeremiah believed. Jeremiah heard the word of the Lord. Jeremiah knew that miracles were possible. He obeyed. He followed God’s lead. And he suffered greatly.  
In it all, God was with him, even when he expressed suicidal thoughts and words as he did in this chapter. 

Dear God; I pray that I would not only read this book, but that I would see the life and pain of this man Jeremiah. I pray that I would see it in the book and I pray that I would see it in the world. Help me to know that whatever pain and sorrow Jeremiah took on, that pain and sorrow and much more, was taken on by my Lord Jesus. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear. And thank you, dear Lord, for those who stand against the powerful when the powerful practice injustice and oppression. Thank you that so many through history have stood courageously even though they too have been beaten and attacked. As I read Jeremiah’s words and prayers and cries help me to hear the words and prayers and cries of those who take such stances even today.  
In Jesus’ name. Amen.