Jeremiah “The Weeping Prophet”

Background In Israel, about 690- BC Israel is in significant decline: militarily, economically, and spiritually. New powers have arisen: Assyria and Neo-Babylonia The Creator God: Where is He?

God Raises His Own Army “The Army of the Prophets” –Threatened all the great powers of their day. Such unlikely threats –Solitary, unarmed, penniless, unimpressive “But they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets…” 2 Chronicles 36:16 –Banished, ridiculed, jailed, executed…losers! –Yet: with only words, they unleashed a power that brought down all the kingdoms of their time!

Jeremiah Demonstrates the veiled supremacy of God "See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, To pluck up and to break down, To destroy and to overthrow, To build and to plant.“ Jer. 1:10 "Now behold, I have made you today as a fortified city and as a pillar of iron and as walls of bronze against the whole land, to the kings of Judah, to its princes, to its priests and to the people of the land.” 1:18

Jeremiah Demonstrates the veiled supremacy of God. Yet, a failure by World System standards. –Rejected by all, even his friends! For I have heard the whispering of many, “Terror on every side! Denounce him; yes, let us denounce him!” All my trusted friends, Watching for my fall, say: “Perhaps he will be deceived, so that we may prevail against him And take our revenge on him.” Jer. 20:10

Jeremiah Demonstrates the veiled supremacy of God. Yet, a failure by World System standards. Ferocious and Ruthless… [To King Zedekiah about his great army]: “'I will make them a terror and an evil for all the kingdoms of the earth, as a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse in all places where I will scatter them… “Drink, be drunk, vomit, fall and rise no more because of the sword which I will send among you.” 24:9; 25:27

Jeremiah Demonstrates the veiled supremacy of God. Yet, a failure by World System standards. Ferocious and Ruthless… Yet Agents of God’s Grace. –This is why they suffered: he is a gracious God Who is reluctant to execute… “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Pet. 3:9 –Jeremiah nearly collapsed, waiting… “my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; And I am weary of holding it in, And I cannot endure it. 20:9

Jeremiah Demonstrates the veiled supremacy of God. Yet, a failure by World System standards. Ferocious and Ruthless… Yet Agents of God’s Grace. A very different kind of warrior –Patient and loving: “My soul, my soul! I am in anguish! Oh, my heart! My heart is pounding in me; I cannot be silent, Because you have heard, O my soul, The sound of the trumpet, The alarm of war.” Jer. 4:19

Jeremiah Demonstrates the veiled supremacy of God. Yet, a failure by World System standards. Ferocious and Ruthless… Yet Agents of God’s Grace. A very different kind of warrior –Patient and loving –Yet savagely tough The next day, when Pashhur finally released him, Jeremiah said, “Pashhur, the Lord has changed your name. From now on you are to be called ‘The Man Who Lives in Terror.’ Jer. 20:3

Jeremiah Demonstrates the veiled supremacy of God. Yet, a failure by World System standards. Ferocious and Ruthless… Yet Agents of God’s Grace. A very different kind of warrior Someone shaped by God’s hand… It’s called brokenness: “Yet, O LORD of hosts, You who test the righteous, Who see the mind and the heart…” Jer. 20:12 “For the righteous God tries the hearts and minds. My shield is with God, Who saves the upright in heart.” Ps. 7:9

Jeremiah Demonstrates the veiled supremacy of God. Yet, a failure by World System standards. Ferocious and Ruthless… Yet Agents of God’s Grace. A very different kind of warrior Someone shaped by God’s hand… Commissioned by God’s authority "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." 1:5

What’s It Mean To Me? God no longer raises up these solitary prophets But he commissioned a new army –“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” Mat. 28:18-19

What’s It Mean To Me? God no longer raises up these solitary prophets But he commissioned a new army In the spirit of that Old Army "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matt. 10:16

What’s It Mean To Me? God no longer raises up these solitary prophets But he commissioned a new army In the spirit of that Old Army To stand up with all power and authority –But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am a youth,‘…Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you,’…Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. Jeremiah 1:7-9 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 “Get up and prepare for action. Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them. Jeremiah 1:17

What’s It Mean To Me? God no longer raises up these solitary prophets But he commissioned a new army In the spirit of that Old Army To stand up with all power and authority And discharge a burning coal… Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth! Jeremiah 1:9 Does not my word burn like fire?” says the Lord. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces? Jer. 23:29 But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it! Jeremiah 20:9

What’s It Mean To Me? God no longer raises up these solitary prophets But he commissioned a new army In the spirit of that Old Army To stand up with all power and authority And discharge a burning coal… Someone shaped by God’s hand… For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9

Someone Like This… Demonstrates the veiled supremacy of God. Yet, a failure by World System standards. Ferocious and Ruthless… Yet Agents of God’s Grace. A very different kind of warrior Someone shaped by God’s hand… Commissioned by God’s authority "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matt. 10:16