JEREMIAH STRUGGLES WITH PERSECUTION

Passage: Jeremiah 11:18-12:1

Key verse: 12:5

NIV

Plot Against Jeremiah

18 Because the Lord revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing. 19 I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter;(A) I did not realize that they had plotted(B) against me, saying,

“Let us destroy the tree and its fruit;
    let us cut him off from the land of the living,(C)
    that his name be remembered(D) no more.”
20 But you, Lord Almighty, who judge righteously(E)
    and test the heart(F) and mind,(G)
let me see your vengeance(H) on them,
    for to you I have committed my cause.

21 Therefore this is what the Lord says about the people of Anathoth(I) who are threatening to kill you,(J) saying, “Do not prophesy(K) in the name of the Lord or you will die(L) by our hands”— 22 therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says: “I will punish them. Their young men(M) will die by the sword, their sons and daughters by famine. 23 Not even a remnant(N) will be left to them, because I will bring disaster on the people of Anathoth in the year of their punishment.(O)”

Jeremiah’s Complaint

12 You are always righteous,(P) Lord,
    when I bring a case(Q) before you.
Yet I would speak with you about your justice:(R)
    Why does the way of the wicked prosper?(S)
    Why do all the faithless live at ease?

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

18 The Lord made it known to me and I knew;
    then you showed me their deeds.
19 But I was (A)like a gentle lamb
    led to the slaughter.
I did not know (B)it was against me
    they devised schemes, saying,
“Let us destroy the tree with its fruit,
    (C)let us cut him off from (D)the land of the living,
    that his name be remembered no more.”
20 But, O Lord of hosts, who judges righteously,
    who (E)tests (F)the heart and the mind,
(G)let me see your vengeance upon them,
    for to you have I committed my cause.

21 Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the men of (H)Anathoth, (I)who seek your life, and say, (J)“Do not prophesy in the name of the Lord, or you will die by our hand”— 22 therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: “Behold, I will punish them. The young men shall die by the sword, their sons and their daughters shall die by famine, 23 and none of them shall be left. For I will bring disaster upon the men of (K)Anathoth, (L)the year of their punishment.”

Jeremiah's Complaint

12 (M)Righteous are you, O Lord,
    when I complain to you;
    yet I would plead my case before you.
(N)Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
    Why do all (O)who are treacherous thrive?

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Jeremiah found out that people from the city of Anathoth were planning to kill him (11:18,21) to stop him from prophesying about God’s judgment. Before God revealed the plot to him, Jeremiah was totally unaware (19), but he prayed and committed his cause to the Lord (20). Then God promised to punish those who were plotting against Jeremiah so that he would not need to take his own revenge.

Still, Jeremiah was discouraged, and he poured out his questions to God. He wondered why the wicked seemed to be successful and live at ease (12:1). What was worse, the wicked were hypocrites, speaking holy-sounding words while their hearts were far from God (2). But God reminded Jeremiah that the life of faith is like running a race (5) and that he needed perseverance to continue his mission - even when his own family members turned against him (6). Then God prophesied his judgment again through Jeremiah, but this time, God also promised his redemption (15).

When we grow weary of standing against all the evil in the world and we don’t know who is on God’s side, we can take assurance in God’s protection and hear his challenge to keep running.

Prayer: Father, help me to not be fearful of what people can do, but to keep doing the work you gave me with a pure heart. Give me strength to keep running the race of faith.

One Word: Keep running the race.