The way of imagination

“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Matthew 16.13-14) “They have treated the wound of my people carelessly,     saying, “Peace, peace,”     when there is no peace. They acted shamefully, they committed abomination;     yet they were not at all ashamed,     they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;     at the time when I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the Lord. When I wanted to gather them, says the Lord,      there are no grapes on the vine,     nor figs on the fig tree; even the leaves are withered,     and what I gave them has passed away from them.” (Jer. 8.11-13)      If you’re familiar with the New Testament Gospels, you might have a moment as you’re reading the book of Jeremiah when you say to yourself: “Wait

  “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses . Choose life so that you and your descendants may live,   loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors , to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” (Dt. 30.19-20) “And to this people you shall say: Thus says the Lord: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death . Those who stay in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but those who go out and surrender to the Chaldeans who are besieging you shall live and shall have their lives as a prize of war. For I have set my face against this city for evil and not for good, says the Lord: it shall be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.” (Jer. 21.8-10)        When Jeremiah tells the inhabitants of J

  There are many familial images for Yahweh’s relationship with his people.   Israel is called both Yahweh’s “firstborn son” (Ex. 4.22) and “treasured possession” (Ex. 19.5; cf. Dt. 7.7-10) – images drawn from Israel’s experience of being rescued from slavery in Egypt.   When the prophets looked back on this determinative moment in Israel’s history, they often chose yet another image to describe God’s love for his people – that of husband and wife. “…call to Jerusalem…I remember your youthful loyalty, our love as newlyweds.   You stayed with me through the wilderness years…” (Jer. 2.1-2 The Message ; cf. Ez. 16.8-14; Hosea 2.14, 4.15; Is. 43.1-7; 54.5-8). Before we have time to get sentimental about this, Scripture calls us to face the reality of human brokenness as it shows us that Israel, Yahweh’s bride, is unfaithful to her divine husband.   The dominating metaphor for Israel’s idolatry (i.e., worshipping other gods) is that of adultery.   The prophets don’t shy away from freq

Public proclamation : “The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: Stand in the gate of the Lord’s house…and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all you people of Judah, you that enter these gates to worship the Lord.” (Jer. 7.1-2) No need of a publisher : “Then …Baruch wrote on a scroll at Jeremiah’s dictation all the words of the Lord that he had spoken to him.” (Jer. 36.4) Secret consultations : “Then King Zedekiah sent for him, and received him. The king questioned him secretly in his house , and said, “Is there any word from the Lord?” Jeremiah said, “There is!” Then he said, “You shall be handed over to the king of Babylon… King Zedekiah sent for the prophet Jeremiah and received him at the third entrance of the temple of the Lord. The king said to Jeremiah, “I have something to ask you; do not hide anything from me.” (Jer. 37.17; 38.14) Assassination attempt by “members of his own team” : “So they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern …in the court of the guard, l

  “Unlucky mother – that you had me as a son, given the unhappy job of indicting the whole country!   I’ve never hurt or harmed a soul, and yet everyone is out to get me .   But, God knows, I’ve done everything I could to help them , prayed for them and against their enemies.   I’ve always been on their side, trying to stave off disaster.   God knows how I’ve tried! ” (Jer. 15.10-11, The Message )      Ever feel that your life has become Groundhog Day ?   During the first 20 chapters of Jeremiah, chapter 1 keeps on playing itself out, again and again.   Jeremiah keeps on complaining about his life and about what God created him to be and to do.   When God called Jeremiah, he told him that he had set Jeremiah apart before he was born (Jer. 1.4-5).   Now, not for the last time, Jeremiah regrets having been born!   He starts whining to God – I’ve had good intentions, I’ve sincerely cared about people, I’ve given it my best shot, and what did I get for all my efforts?   Everyone is out t

“But you, gird up your loins; stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not break down before them, or I will break you before them …I …have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall …against the kings of Judah, its princes, 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, says the Lord, to deliver you.” (Jer. 1.17-19)      True to the form of stories of prophetic vocations, Jeremiah initially attempts to wiggle out of his calling by offering God excuses and arguments for his inadequacy.   Here are a few other examples of prophets pleading to opt out of their destiny: ·          Moses: “I can’t speak well, please send someone else” (Ex. 4.10-14) ·          Isaiah: “I’m a man of unclean lips” (Is. 6.5-7) ·          Amos: “I’m no prophet; I’m a shepherd and a gardener” (Amos 7.14-15) ·          Jeremiah: “I don’t know how to speak; I’m only a boy” (Jer. 1.6)