The question of the meaninglessness of a life already lived has tormented many people, and at very different ages. Jeremiah, as we see, was no exception: the question of the meaning of his own life arose before him too. It would seem that a person whom God called to ministry, and called with the complete certainty that distinguishes every genuine prophetic calling, has no need to doubt or regret anything, since his ministry by definition cannot turn out to be meaningless...
The question of the meaninglessness of a life already lived has tormented many people, and at very different ages. Jeremiah, as we see, was no exception: the question of the meaning of his own life arose before him too. It would seem that a person whom God called to ministry, and called with the complete certainty that distinguishes every genuine prophetic calling, has no need to doubt or regret anything, since his ministry by definition cannot turn out to be meaningless.
And yet, as we see, the matter was not so simple; besides God, there were also the people to whom the prophet addressed himself. The prophet's ministry is above all the ministry of a witness, and Jeremiah, as we see, evaluated the success of his ministry precisely from that point of view. And here things were bad: no one wanted to listen to the prophet; his preaching did not enjoy the kind of popularity that, for example, the preaching of his great predecessor Isaiah of Jerusalem enjoyed. Rather, he was in everyone's way: in the way of the authorities, whose religious policy Jeremiah did not accept; in the way of the crowd, whose imaginary religiosity he never tired of exposing; in the way of well-to-do townspeople, who wanted peace and confidence while the prophet's preaching constantly disturbed their peace and undermined their confidence. No authority, no popularity, only hatred and hostility! But the most tormenting thing for Jeremiah was that he apparently perceived this state of affairs as the failure of the mission entrusted to him by God.
And what could have served as consolation for a prophet whose witness was rejected? Perhaps only one thing: prophetic ministry, like every other service to God, has value in itself. The issue is not only who heard what, but also who said what. And Jeremiah clearly accomplished this task. Despite all the efforts of the people around him.
20 Pashur smiting Jeremiah for this prophecy, receives a new name, and fearful doom, Jer 20:1-6.
Jeremiah's impatience under their treachery and contempt, Jer 20:7-10.
Rejoices in hope of vengeance, Jer 20:11-13.
Curses his birth, Jer 20:14-18.
20:1 Immer - The course of Immer was the sixteenth course of the priests, Ch1 24:14.Pashur was his son, that is descended from him.
20:3 Not called - God's meaning was, not that he should by men be no longer called Pashur, but that his condition should not answer that name Pashur, which signifies, a flourishing priest; but Magor - missabib, that is, fear and terror on all sides.
20:7 Hast prevailed - Thou prevailedst against me. Jeremiah at first excused himself to God, chap.Jer 1:6, but the Lord prevailed against him replying, ver.Jer 1:7, Say not, I am a child, for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak, ver.Jer 1:9.This is all that is here meant, namely, God's over - ruling him contrary to his own inclinations.
20:8 Since - Since I first began to be a prophet, I have faithfully discharged my office, and that with warmth and zeal. Spoil - I have prophesied that violence and spoil was coming. Because - Because of that scorn and derision with which they treated him.
20:9 I said - He did not speak this openly, but in his heart.But - He found in his heart a constraint to go on.
20:10 Prevail - Desiring nothing more than that I might be enticed to speak or do something which they might make matter of a colourable accusation.
20:11 But - The prophet recovering himself out of his fit of passion, encourageth himself in his God, whom he calls the mighty and terrible one, so declaring his faith in the power of God, as one able to save him, and in the promise and good will of God toward him; therefore he saith, The Lord is with me; such was the promise of God to this prophet, when he first undertook the prophetical office, chap.Jer 1:8.Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee saith the Lord: from hence be concludes, that though he had many that pursued after his life, yet they should stumble in their ways of violence, and should not prevail. Ashamed - That they should be ashamed of what they had done, or be brought to shame for what they had done; for prosper they should not: or they acted like fools, and did not deal prudently for themselves (so this word is translated, Isa 52:13,) yea, they should become a reproach, and their reproach should be a lasting perpetual reproach that should not be forgotten.
20:14 Cursed - This sudden change makes some think that these words proceeded from Jeremiah rather as a repetition of a former passion into which the abuses of his enemies had put him, than as the immediate product of his spirit at this time.
20:16 The cities - Sodom and Gomorrah; by the cry in the morning and shouting at noon, he means the shouts and noises that enemies make when they break in upon a place.