February 19: Dealing With Doubt

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

If ever a prophet of God lived whose life, message, and ministry caused him to suffer from agony, despair and doubt, it was Jeremiah. Based in part on Jeremiah 9:1, Old Testament scholars for decades have dubbed him the “weeping Prophet.” On the national level his life and prophecies preceded the captivity of Judah and recorded the destruction and pillaging of the temple. On the personal level, he was a reluctant prophet (1:6), a lonely, unmarried prophet (13:17; 16:2), and even an unappreciated prophet as he finally migrated to Egypt where we lose track of him. Yet, he inspires us, in spite of his doubts.

• Our study opens with Jeremiah being sold out by his friends and condemned by an unjust sentence (vv. 1-2). His prophetic messages apparently ran afoul of the preaching of Pashur, the son of Immer the priest and thereby the director of temple activities. Pashur also claimed the gift of prophesy (see v. 6). When Jeremiah denounced the “feel good” messages of Pashur, the latter placed Jeremiah on trial. The subsequent conviction carried the penalty of beatings while the victim was held in the stocks, a device to secure hands and feet. The punishment was dictated by the law of Moses (Dt. 25:1-3).

• In spite of his humiliation and pain, Jeremiah expanded his prophecy (vv. 3-6). Brought once again before Pashur, Jeremiah stunned the corrupt priest by giving him a new name, Magar-missa-bib, meaning, “terror on every side” (v. 3). His name became a constant reminder of the judgment to come. Many of his friends would be slain before his eyes (v. 4). Those who remained, including Pashur, would experience captivity in Babylon where they would die and be buried far from the land of Judah (v. 6).

The prophecy predicted the fall of Judah along with the capture and destruction of the temple. In a description of the utter devastation to follow, the entire economic structure of Judah would collapse. The royal treasury and the holy utensils of the temple would be taken to Babylon by the invaders (v. 5).

• In spite of his courageous stand before the tribunal, Jeremiah suffered from personal uncertainty (vv. 7-8). Elijah went through a similar time following the victory over Jezebel’s priests on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 19:1-4). Even John the Baptist suffered in prison, sending some of his disciples to confirm whether Jesus was the Messiah (Matt. 11:2-3; Lk. 7:18-23). Similarly, Jeremiah mildly chided God for enticing him into the ministry, but bowed in subjection before the sovereign power of God (v. 7). In preaching God’s message of violence and spoil, the words made him a reproach among the people.

• Nevertheless, he admitted he was compelled to preach (vv. 9- 11). In one of the most dramatic confessions about the burden, yet joy, of preaching, Jeremiah laid bare his soul. When he decided never to speak again in God’s Name, the message was like a “fire shut up” in his “bones.” He could do no other than preach God’s word. If persecutors used his words against him, he counted on the Lord to be his “terrible one” to protect him.

• Finally, the prophet found comfort as he remembered God’s work in him, going back to his call (vv. 12-13). Depending on God to be his defender stirred Jeremiah’s heart to recall God’s initial promise (1:19). We learn the same lesson. As times of disappointment arise inevitably, we go back to the moment when we laid our lives on the altar of dedication. Unless God changes our call, we stand by our commitment.