Jeremiah 20:4
For thus says the LORD: Behold, I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends. They shall fall by the sword of their enemies while you look on. And I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon. He shall carry them captive to Babylon, and shall strike them down with the sword.
The job of prophet was not the easiest in the world, especially when telling the truth. Jeremiah had foretold the destruction of Jerusalem and was beaten and thrown in the stocks by none other than the chief officer of the temple, Pashhur. Right after his release, Jeremiah got a bit more specific. 20 chapters into Jeremiah, he named the captors as Babylon. This did not put Jeremiah on the fast track for promotion. These words of God would come true and the nation would lose its city and its identity. There were no signs of hope.
Until Jeremiah gave them the good news. Just as this verse is the first mention of Babylonian captivity, Jeremiah 31:31-34 is the first mention of the new covenant.
I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
That was fulfilled when Jesus died on the cross and our sins were forgiven. Now we are in a situation where telling the truth of Scripture can get us into trouble. People do not want to hear about sin. Instead of repenting of their behavior and heeding the warnings, they are attacking the messenger and calling us hateful and intolerant. This does not change the truth of God’s word. We are still the messenger of the good news of the gospel and the warning of the return of Jesus.
Be strong and courageous!