The Struggle of a Prophet Jeremiah 12:1-6, 17:14-18, 20:7-12

Christians would do well to study the various approaches to the problem of evil. Particularly, consideration should be given to the role free will plays in our decisions and consequences.

Christians would do well to study the various approaches to the problem of evil. Particularly, consideration should be given to the role free will plays in our decisions and consequences. The time for this study is not immediately after a tragedy strikes. Those who are suffering rarely benefit from philosophical discussions.

Sufferers need to be comforted. Well-meaning individuals must be careful to relieve and not add undue burdens. Job’s friends may well have come to “mourn with him, and to comfort him” (Job 2:11), but they ended up doing more harm than good.

Jeremiah’s honesty concerning his struggle to speak God’s Word sheds light on our responsibility today. Do individuals always appreciate the truth of Scripture? Hardly! Nevertheless, we must not hold back God’s message in order to avoid persecution or disapproval. Jesus remains the hope of humanity. Only His truth will set man free. Those who love Him cannot help but speak forth His message.

The Struggle of a Prophet Why Do the Wicked Prosper? (Jer 12:1-6) Why Does the Lord Delay? (Jer 17:14-18) Why This Burning in My Heart? (Jer 20:7-12)

Have you ever become discouraged in the face of what seems like injustice? - How could God allow the righteous to struggle? - Why do bad things happen to good people? - Why do the wicked prosper? - If God is all-powerful, how can He let this happen?

Have you ever become discouraged in the face of what seems like injustice? - How could God allow the righteous to struggle? - Why do bad things happen to good people? - Why do the wicked prosper? - If God is all-powerful, how can He let this happen? ** This isn’t anything new. For centuries, people have noticed these same problems and consequently have questioned God.

Epicurus ( BC) is credited with formulating what is regarded as “the problem with evil” – believing that the existence and prevalence of evil in our world can hardly be reconciled with the existence of an all- powerful, omni-benevolent God. Chad Ramsey (Reasons to Believe: A Survey of Christian Evidences) recorded how Epicurus believed: “God either wishes to take away evil, and is unable; or He is able and unwilling; or He is neither willing nor able; or He is both willing and able.” Because evil exists, Epicurus concluded that God does not.

If we believed that Epicurus’ conclusion is correct, we probably wouldn’t be here this morning discussing it. Can trials and tribulations in life actually end up strengthening us?

If we believed that Epicurus’ conclusion is correct, we probably wouldn’t be here this morning discussing it. Can trials and tribulations in life actually end up strengthening us? Do you think that many of our problems are a result of human freedom?

If we believed that Epicurus’ conclusion is correct, we probably wouldn’t be here this morning discussing it. Can trials and tribulations in life actually end up strengthening us? Do you think that many of our problems are a result of human freedom? If God acted to remove the results of our freedom, would we really be free?

Heb 2:10 (ESV) For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. Acts 17:26-28 (ESV) And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said,“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ What is God’s purpose for creation?

“If God created the world for a particular purpose, and if it can be shown that physical suffering helps to facilitate the purpose for which it was created, then we may correctly conclude that the problem of evil does not count as evidence against the existence of God.” - Chad Ramsey, Reasons to Believe: A Survey of Christian Evidences

Jeremiah struggled with the same problem. Jeremiah didn’t reject God like Epicurus, he simply didn’t understand. God simply showed Jeremiah that he didn’t have the capacity to understand. The solution to Jeremiah’s struggle wasn’t an explanation. It was trust. Job 38:4-5 (ESV) “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements— surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?

Jer 12:1 (ESV) Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? Jeremiah raises a charge against God, kind of like what would happen in a court of law. What was that charge?

Habakkuk 1:13 (ESV) You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he? Habakkuk raised a similar charge.

Habakkuk 1:13 (ESV) You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he? Habakkuk raised a similar charge. God had charged Israel with breach of contract when they rejected Him. Habakkuk and Jeremiah charge God with breach of contract too.

Jer 12:1 (ESV) Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? Does Jeremiah charge God with being unrighteous?

Jer 12:2 (ESV) You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit; you are near in their mouth and far from their heart. How does Jeremiah build his case that God is at fault?

Jer 12:3a (ESV) But you, O Lord, know me; you see me, and test my heart toward you. How does Jeremiah contrast his case with the prosperous wicked?

Jer 12:3b (ESV) Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter. After showing God the difference between the wicked and himself, what action does Jeremiah call God to do?

Jer 12:4 (ESV) How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field wither? For the evil of those who dwell in it the beasts and the birds are swept away, because they said, “He will not see our latter end.” How does Jeremiah emphasize the need for God’s immediate response?

Jer 12:5a (ESV) “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? How does God respond to Jeremiah’s plea?

Jer 12:5b-6 (ESV) And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? 6 For even your brothers and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; they are in full cry after you; do not believe them, though they speak friendly words to you.” How does God respond to Jeremiah’s plea? Does it sound like things are going to improve any time soon?

Jer 12:5b-6 (ESV) And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? 6 For even your brothers and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; they are in full cry after you; do not believe them, though they speak friendly words to you.” The only solution was to place even more trust in God than ever before. We do not trust in God because we understand our suffering; we trust Him despite our lack of understanding.

Prov 3:5-6 (ESV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Does it seem obvious that we should put our complete trust in the sovereign God since we are so limited in our own understanding?

Prov 3:5-6 (ESV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Does it seem obvious that we should put our complete trust in the sovereign God since we are so limited in our own understanding? Is it all that easy to do? Do we still wonder why God acts as He does when He does?

Jer 17:14 (ESV) Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. Was Jeremiah confident in God’s ability to punish the wicked? Was Jeremiah confident in God’s ability to reward the righteous? Was Jeremiah confident in his faithfulness to God?

Jer 17:15 (ESV) Behold, they say to me, “Where is the word of the Lord? Let it come!” If Jeremiah was confident in God’s ability, what would drive him to question God’s veracity (the truth in His prophecies)?

Jer 17:15 (ESV) Behold, they say to me, “Where is the word of the Lord? Let it come!” If Jeremiah was confident in God’s ability, what would drive him to question God’s veracity (the truth in His prophecies)? Why would he join this petition? Do you think he was eager for the destruction God promised?

Jer 17:16-18 (ESV) I have not run away from being your shepherd, nor have I desired the day of sickness. You know what came out of my lips; it was before your face. 17 Be not a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster. 18 Let those be put to shame who persecute me, but let me not be put to shame; let them be dismayed, but let me not be dismayed; bring upon them the day of disaster; destroy them with double destruction! What was Jeremiah seeking from God?

Jer 20:7-9 (ESV) O Lord, you have deceived me, and I was deceived; you are stronger than I, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all the day; everyone mocks me. 8 For whenever I speak, I cry out, I shout, “Violence and destruction!” For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long. 9 If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in 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. Could Jeremiah have avoided considerable heartache and stress if he remained silent and allowed the people of Judah to blindly continue to their impending fate?

Jer 20:10-11 (ESV) For I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side! “Denounce him! Let us denounce him!” say all my close friends, watching for my fall. “Perhaps he will be deceived; then we can overcome him and take our revenge on him.” 11 But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten. So, what do you think drove Jeremiah to proclaim God’s Word?

Jer 20:12 (ESV) O Lord of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause. Although he may have struggled, does it seem that Jeremiah faithfully maintained his trust in God?

How should Christians seek to answer the problem with evil? “God either wishes to take away evil, and is unable; or He is able and unwilling; or He is neither willing nor able; or He is both willing and able.”

What should we say to a believer who is asking questions similar to those in Jer 12:1 “Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?”

How should we respond to those who mock God’s Word today?

What steps can we take to ensure that we do not cease preaching and teaching God’s Word in the face of prosecution?

Christians would do well to study the various approaches to the problem of evil. Particularly, consideration should be given to the role free will plays in our decisions and consequences.

Christians would do well to study the various approaches to the problem of evil. Particularly, consideration should be given to the role free will plays in our decisions and consequences. The time for this study is not immediately after a tragedy strikes. Those who are suffering rarely benefit from philosophical discussions.

Sufferers need to be comforted. Well-meaning individuals must be careful to relieve and not add undue burdens. Job’s friends may well have come to “mourn with him, and to comfort him” (Job 2:11), but they ended up doing more harm than good.

Jeremiah’s honesty concerning his struggle to speak God’s Word sheds light on our responsibility today. Do individuals always appreciate the truth of Scripture? Hardly! Nevertheless, we must not hold back God’s message in order to avoid persecution or disapproval. Jesus remains the hope of humanity. Only His truth will set man free. Those who love Him cannot help but speak forth His message.

The Last Kings of Judah Jer 22:18-23, 27:12-16, 29:4-10