Study Questions:
1. What was the attitude of the priest Pashhur against Jeremiah? (Jeremiah 20:1, 2)
2. How does Jeremiah compare the Lord as his protector? (Jeremiah 20:11)
3. Describe Jeremiah’s prayer of praise and penitence during his difficult situation. (Jeremiah 20:12-18)
4. What was King Zedekiah’s desperate request to the prophet Jeremiah? (Jeremiah 21:1, 2)
Commentary and Reflection:
The book of Jeremiah highlights the faithfulness of this man of God during tough times. The imminent Babylonian invasion was harsh, but perhaps Jeremiah’s most significant challenges came from internal enemies. Like in Jeremiah’s time, God’s people today may face “dangers from without and within.” The apostle Paul also experienced this, facing more opposition from his fellow Jews than Gentiles. History will likely repeat itself in the final days. We must be prepared.
The parable of the potter illustrates God’s sovereignty. A potter can shape clay into any vessel he desires and reshape it if necessary (Jer. 18:1-4). Just as the potter determines the vessel’s purpose, God determines the destinies of nations. God can relent from punishment if a nation repents after being warned of impending judgment. Conversely, if a nation rebels after being promised blessings, those blessings can be withdrawn (Jer. 18:7-10).
In the previous chapter (19), Jeremiah delivered God’s message by breaking a clay jar before the leaders and the people. This symbolized their coming destruction due to their stubborn refusal to heed God’s warnings, angering the leaders, including those in priestly positions.
Jeremiah confronted the priest Pashhur and announced a change to his name: “Magor-Missabib,” meaning “terror on every side.” This name symbolized not only the priest’s failure to be a source of comfort and encouragement to the people but also the terror that would soon come upon Judah because of their sin and idolatry.
It may seem strange that God’s message was not one of victory but of surrender to the Babylonians. God Himself would stand against His people because of their rebellion. This reveals a sobering truth: everything begins to fall apart when we turn away from God.
Jeremiah was considered a traitor by his people because of his unflinching proclamation of God’s truth. Yet, had King Zedekiah listened to Jeremiah’s warnings and obeyed God, the city and the temple could have been spared, even if the nation was conquered.
Though God had promised David that his dynasty would endure until the arrival of the Messiah, this did not mean his descendants would be exempt from consequences caused by their unfaithfulness. God’s plan will ultimately prevail, not because humanity is flawless, but because God is sovereign, merciful, and faithful.
Jeremiah’s personal struggles are also evident in chapter 20. After being beaten and humiliated by Pashhur, he laments his situation, expressing both anguish and hope. He compares God to a mighty warrior who defends him against his enemies (Jeremiah 20:11). Yet, in his humanity, Jeremiah also questions his calling and even curses the day of his birth (Jeremiah 20:14-18). Despite his deep anguish, Jeremiah remains faithful to his prophetic mission.
King Zedekiah, in desperation, sends messengers to Jeremiah, hoping for a favorable word from God (Jeremiah 21:1-2). However, Jeremiah’s message is clear: Jerusalem will fall to the Babylonians because of their continued rebellion. Their only hope lies in surrendering to their enemies rather than resisting them.
These chapters show a profound lesson in Jeremiah’s perseverance, faith, and vulnerability. God’s truth must be proclaimed, even when unpopular or rejected. Faithfulness to God often comes with personal suffering and rejection, but His promises remain steadfast.
Take time to meditate on this prophetic gem:
“I saw that the angels of God are never to control the will. God sets before man life and death. He can have his choice. Many desire life, but still continue to walk in the broad road. They choose to rebel against God’s government, notwithstanding His great mercy and compassion in giving His Son to die for them. Those who do not choose to accept of the salvation so dearly purchased, must be punished. But I saw that God would not shut them up in hell to endure endless misery, neither will He take them to heaven; for to bring them into the company of the pure and holy would make them exceedingly miserable. But He will destroy them utterly and cause them to be as if they had not been; then His justice will be satisfied. He formed man out of the dust of the earth, and the disobedient and unholy will be consumed by fire and return to dust again. I saw that the benevolence and compassion of God in this matter should lead all to admire His character and to adore His holy name. After the wicked are destroyed from off the earth, all the heavenly host will say, ‘Amen!’” (Early Writings, p. 221)
May we remain faithful to our calling, trust God’s justice and mercy, and be clay in the hands of the Divine Potter.
May your day be filled with blessings.
Pastor Rolando de los Ríos
