October 30, 2006 - Jeremiah 20-21 and II Timothy 4
It is always challenging to be a prophet or a preacher. The two words mean almost the same thing. The root meaning is to speak forth God's Word. Since the words come from God, the one speaking does not get to pick what is said. When the words are sad or painful, it leads to being being unpopular or persecuted. This is what we read today about Jeremiah, Timothy, and Paul.
Jeremiah was told by God to deliver His Word to Pashur, the leader of the people in Judah. The message was that Jerusalem would be defeated, the people, including Pashur and his family would be taken into exile, and Pashur would die. (20:1-6) This message was not popular at all. Jeremiah was mocked by everyone.(v.7) He tried to quit speaking God's Word, but it was like trying to keep a fire in his bones.(v.9) He could not keep from speaking, and God was with Him to help him. (v.11) However, Jeremiah still went through bouts of depression.(v.14-18) It is difficult for anyone to be rejected on a regular basis. You can imagine how Jeremiah must have been treated after he told the leaders and the people in chapter 21 that not only would they be defeated by their enemies, but God, Himself, would fight against them. Sometimes, God's Word strikes to the heart, and yet, people want to attack the messenger, instead of responding to God.
Timothy was called on to have much the same type of ministry. Paul admonished him to preach the Word of God all the time, both when it was convenient and when it wasn't. (v.2) Paul gave his own testimony of how he had kept the faith, and he was looking forward to heaven. (v.6-8) However, he had been attacked for speaking God's Word. (v.14-15) At his first trial, no one stood up for him either. He was all alone. (v.16) The Lord was with him, but we can still hear the pain in his words, when he says that he was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (v.17) Paul was sure of God's presence and power, but it was still stressful and lonely many times. He longed for the company of Timothy in the times of his persecution. (v.21) Such is the life of a preacher. The job is difficult, but the retirement benefits are out of this world.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 22-23 and Titus 1.
Jeremiah was told by God to deliver His Word to Pashur, the leader of the people in Judah. The message was that Jerusalem would be defeated, the people, including Pashur and his family would be taken into exile, and Pashur would die. (20:1-6) This message was not popular at all. Jeremiah was mocked by everyone.(v.7) He tried to quit speaking God's Word, but it was like trying to keep a fire in his bones.(v.9) He could not keep from speaking, and God was with Him to help him. (v.11) However, Jeremiah still went through bouts of depression.(v.14-18) It is difficult for anyone to be rejected on a regular basis. You can imagine how Jeremiah must have been treated after he told the leaders and the people in chapter 21 that not only would they be defeated by their enemies, but God, Himself, would fight against them. Sometimes, God's Word strikes to the heart, and yet, people want to attack the messenger, instead of responding to God.
Timothy was called on to have much the same type of ministry. Paul admonished him to preach the Word of God all the time, both when it was convenient and when it wasn't. (v.2) Paul gave his own testimony of how he had kept the faith, and he was looking forward to heaven. (v.6-8) However, he had been attacked for speaking God's Word. (v.14-15) At his first trial, no one stood up for him either. He was all alone. (v.16) The Lord was with him, but we can still hear the pain in his words, when he says that he was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (v.17) Paul was sure of God's presence and power, but it was still stressful and lonely many times. He longed for the company of Timothy in the times of his persecution. (v.21) Such is the life of a preacher. The job is difficult, but the retirement benefits are out of this world.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 22-23 and Titus 1.