©Michael Player
Chapter 15:10-14 (ESV) - Woe is me, my mother, that you bore me, a man of strife and contention to the whole land! I have not lent, nor have I borrowed, yet all of them curse me. The LORD said, “Have I not set you free for their good? Have I not pleaded for you before the enemy in the time of trouble and in the time of distress? Can one break iron, iron from the north, and bronze?
“Your wealth and your treasures I will give as spoil, without price, for all your sins, throughout all your territory. I will make you serve your enemies in a land that you do not know, for in my anger a fire is kindled that shall burn forever.”
Question to consider: Who else in scripture cursed the day of their birth?
In the old testament, another prophetic writer of songs who cursed the day he was born was Job after being afflicted with illness and losing his property, family, and reputation. I’m sure that Jeremiah also suffered greatly as he endured the derision and threats posed by those who refused to receive his call for repentance. However, to say he suffered like Job, may be a stretch.
Jeremiah was young and most likely privileged since he lived during a time of prosperity for Judah, and priestly families were generally well taken care of even though they did not own land. Pointing out that he’d neither “lent nor borrowed” was simply saying that nobody had cause to hate him, for nobody owed him anything, and he wasn’t indebted to anyone else.
The LORD was patient in His response, reminding Jeremiah that though they may have rejected his message, He had made him “a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.” (Jeremiah 1:18-19)
Though the LORD would make them servants in Babylon, and they would lose all of their worldly treasures in the exile, those who were exiled would still be protected while in their captivity.
I don’t do a lot of application in my studies, but as Christians, we can expect times of trouble and persecution by those who hate Christ. As Peter once wrote to the persecuted churches scattered throughout Asia Minor, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.” (1 Peter 4:12-16)
Like Jeremiah, we have been set free from sin and use the Law to call others to repent and believe in Christ for their redemption. Like Jeremiah, we have been given a promise that in the midst of this, Christ will never leave us nor forsake us. Unlike the Israelites, the LORD’s anger does not burn against us because we have been brought into peace with Him through Christ. Rejoice in the fact that our God is a mighty fortress.
Dear heavenly Father, may You be strong and mighty in our weaknesses and use the trials and tribulations of this world to help others see the great work Christ has done for us and in us. Amen.