1 Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
2 Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.
3 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The LORD hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magormissabib.
4 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.
5 Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon.
6 And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.
7 O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.
9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
10 For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
11 But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.
12 But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.
13 Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.
14 Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.
15 Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad.
16 And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;
17 Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.
18 Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?
Chapter 20 of the Book of Jeremiah is a vivid narrative of Jeremiah's personal struggle with his prophetic mission, the opposition he faced, and his intense feelings of despair. This chapter, set in the context of the troubled times of the 7th century BCE, is a profound exploration of the themes of suffering, faith, and the complexities of prophetic responsibility. It delves deep into Jeremiah's inner turmoil, his sense of isolation, and the persistence of his faith in the face of adversity.
In the opening verses of Chapter 20, we see Jeremiah facing persecution for his prophetic duties. The priest Pashhur, the chief officer in the temple, is angered by Jeremiah's prophecies and strikes him before putting him in the stocks. This public humiliation and physical abuse reflect the hostility and rejection Jeremiah faced from his contemporaries. It underscores the theme of the suffering servant, a common motif in biblical narratives, and illustrates the cost of true prophecy. Jeremiah, despite his personal anguish, remains committed to delivering God's message, demonstrating his unwavering faith and courage.
The middle section of Chapter 20 is dominated by Jeremiah's lament, a poignant expression of his inner anguish and despair. He curses the day of his birth and vents his frustration at his role as a prophet. He feels trapped in his mission, unable to withhold God's word despite the pain it brings him. This lament is a powerful exploration of the human side of prophecy. It shows Jeremiah wrestling with his calling, grappling with feelings of regret, resentment, and despair. Despite the intensity of his emotions, he continues to fulfill his prophetic duties, highlighting his steadfast faith and commitment to God's will.
An important theme in Chapter 20 is the metaphor of God's word as a fire in Jeremiah's bones. Despite his desire to abandon his mission, Jeremiah cannot contain God's word. It burns within him, compelling him to speak. This image underscores the power and urgency of the divine message, as well as the burden it places on the prophet. It also illustrates the transformative nature of God's word, which, like fire, can both destroy and purify.
Despite his lament and his struggle with despair, Jeremiah ends Chapter 20 with a song of trust in God. He declares that the Lord is with him like a mighty warrior, expressing his confidence in God's protection and justice. This shift from lament to praise illustrates the depth of Jeremiah's faith and his ultimate reliance on God. It serves as a powerful reminder of the hope and strength that can be found in trusting God, even in the midst of suffering and despair.
The use of names in Chapter 20 is particularly symbolic. Jeremiah renames Pashhur as "Magor-missabib", meaning "terror on every side". This new name is not just a personal indictment against Pashhur, but also a prophetic statement about the impending doom of Judah. This use of names as prophecy underscores the seriousness of Jeremiah's message and the dire consequences of ignoring God's word.
In conclusion, Chapter 20 of the Book of Jeremiah is a profound exploration of the trials and tribulations of a prophet. It lays bare the human cost of prophecy and the inner turmoil of a man called to deliver a difficult message. Despite the pain and despair that Jeremiah experiences, his faith in God remains unshaken. He continues to carry out his prophetic duties, a testament to his strength of character and his deep commitment to his faith.
This chapter is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith in the face of adversity. It is a testament to the power of God's word, and the transformative effect it can have on those who carry it. It underscores the importance of delivering God's message, even when it is met with hostility and rejection. Most importantly, it serves as an enduring reminder of the hope and strength that can be found in trusting God, even in the midst of suffering and despair.
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