NOTES for Jer 20:1-18

It sometimes happens that the content of a person's faith—what God requires of that person—comes into conflict with life itself. This happened to Jeremiah when, as persecution against him began, he realized that his prophetic ministry simply kept everyone from living as they wished. To him it was obvious that he brought people the saving Word from heaven, while they declared that they did not need it. His life had failed, and he cursed the day of his birth. In a sense, prophets' lives rarely succeed at all: it is difficult to imagine a prophet who rebukes the people and implores them to turn to God being loved by everyone and warmly thanked for his admonitions. But on the other hand, a person who lives in accordance with God's will, even when that will seems to him “incompatible with life,” already bears within himself true and complete life—the pledge of Resurrection.