WHAT DID JEREMIAH DO THAT WAS SO RIGHT?

William Andrew Dillard

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah is the author of the book that bears his name as well as the book of Lamentations. He is renown as “The weeping prophet.” Just what did Jeremiah do that was so right? Think with me!
Jeremiah lived about 80 years from about 650 B. C. to around 570 B. C. He was the son of a priest, and was set aside by the Lord for his unique ministry from his birth. His active ministry began around 625 B.C. and spanned the reign of five kings of Judah.
The times of Jeremiah parallel in some ways those of today. The Jewish nation has abandoned the Sabbaths, were in love with materialism, and honored idol gods. But these were the covenant people of God who were to play important roles in the progress toward the Savior coming into the world, and to the future of God’s people in the millennium and new earth. God would deal with them in ways most unpleasant, but sufficient to bring them back to the narrow way of faith. Jeremiah would be the faithful warning of what was to come
Humanly speaking, it is not pleasant to preach, beg, plead with people who consistently reject the message. Moreover, the message would not go unchallenged by the religious panderers seeking popularity and gain from a people committed to their own way. Jeremiah stood firmly against the false prophets, and felt the disdain his countrymen had for him. Still he continued faithfully to warn of the nations impending judgment.
At one point the prophet was cast into a mud pit as a reward for his unbending faithfulness to deliver God’s message. At another point in his ministry, it is recorded, “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” 20:9.
The prophet lived to see the Judgment of God fall on Judah. Nebuchadnezzar sent the forces of Babylon who destroyed Jerusalem, and carried away the young and talented people to serve him in that land. Doubtless Jeremiah’s heart was broken, but he understood the events by the messages God gave to him.
God still wants His people to speak His truth even if it is unpopular. His judgment is pending upon a Christ rejecting world, and we have this wonderful Old Testament prophet as an encouraging example of how our conduct should be in these evil times. Jeremiah was so right, and it is our privilege to be so right, delivering God’s message as he did!