“Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah. It will not mean the loss of instruction from the priests, nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets. And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue; let us carefully note his every word.”
The Prophet Jeremiah lived at the worst of times, during the siege and fall of Jerusalem; and the message he had to convey from God was the worst possible news. Because of their sins God had brought the hostile army and turned the holy city over to them. He offered hope if the people would admit their wrongdoing and repent. They refused.
Some people are like that. They prefer divorce, job loss, broken health, poverty, even imprisonment to admitting they do wrong. Oftentimes, they believe they have no choice. They say, “This is what I do; this is what I am.” The sin may be alcohol intoxication, drug abuse, molesting women or children, or simply lying.
But worse than individuals are entire populations that cannot admit their way of life is wrong. Sometimes their foolishness seems incomprehensible, like that of the ancient Greenlanders, Viking settlers, who starved to death rather than eat fish. “Fish,” they said, “is Inuit food!” Their racism killed them.
Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Saint Paul, and other prophets of the Bible speak God’s word. It may be a word of guidance, comfort, or challenge; it may be familiar or not; but it will be God’s word. That is, the true prophets. There have always been false prophets who claim God’s authority. But they speak falsely and guide badly, and their advice is utter foolishness. They appear as often today as they did during the siege of Jerusalem, but they use electronic communications, raise more money, and cause more harm.
The Book of Jeremiah amply describes the suffering of a lonely prophet. He faced the opposition of the king and civil leaders, the religious establishment, and the crowds. That he spoke truly was attested first by the fall of the city, which he had predicted; and then, by his suffering. Anyone who speaks God’s word should expect opposition.
As the Word of God addresses our issues of racism, poverty, abortion, substance abuse, crumbling infrastructure, and climate change, we should expect a “Greenland response.” Opposition will often be incomprehensible because it is irrational and fearful. A prophetic word may challenge identities like “American” and “white.” Some will insist they are Christian, but that identity is less important than American and white. Invited to make sacrifice, they think of surrendering things they don’t need or no longer want. Their “generosity” gives of their excess after securing their present status and insuring their future.
A prophetic people, listening always for the will of God, promotes the common good. Like Jeremiah, they are ready to surrender some of the prerogatives they have enjoyed, for they know nothing of winners and losers, nor do they distinguish success from failure. They find satisfaction in speaking the truth and aspire only to fidelity.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.