Jeremiah

Jeremiah 20: The LORD is with His servant

Begin in prayer

Before we read about a faithful prophet in the stocks, let us bow before the LORD in prayer. Ask Him to make us brave for His word, to strengthen our family, and to show us Christ, who suffered for His people.

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

Psalms 56:3

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You are with Your servants and rescue the needy from evildoers, and help us to turn from our sin and trust Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Pashhur the priest beats Jeremiah and puts him in the stocks at the upper gate of the LORD’s house (verses 1 and 2). The next day Jeremiah tells Pashhur that the LORD has given Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon (verses 3 to 6). Jeremiah cries out, “Yahweh, you have persuaded me,” and he says that he is mocked all day (verses 7 and 8). He tries to stop speaking, but the word burns in his heart like a fire shut up in his bones (verse 9). The LORD is with Jeremiah as an awesome mighty one, and He delivers the needy from evildoers (verses 11 to 13). Jeremiah then grieves over the day of his birth (verses 14 to 18).

As you read Jeremiah 20, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD is with His faithful servant, and He rescues the needy from evildoers.

Pashhur was a priest and chief officer in the LORD’s house, and he beat Jeremiah for speaking God’s word (verses 1 and 2). The stocks held a prisoner in a painful position, which shows how Jeremiah was treated for speaking the LORD’s word (verse 2). The LORD gave Pashhur a new name, Terror on every side (verses 3 and 4). Jeremiah complains that the LORD had persuaded him, yet he could not stop speaking (verses 7 to 9). The LORD is with Jeremiah like an awesome mighty one, so his persecutors will not prevail (verse 11). The LORD delivers the needy from the hand of evildoers, so Jeremiah sings praise in the middle of his trouble (verses 12 and 13). Jeremiah’s lament is raw and honest, and God does not hide it from His people (verses 14 to 18). Jesus is God with us.

How does Jeremiah 20 show us that the LORD is with His faithful servant, and rescues the needy from evildoers?

Opposition cannot silence God’s word.

Pashhur beat Jeremiah and put him in the stocks (verses 1 and 2). Jeremiah says the word of the LORD became a fire in his bones, so he could not hold it in (verse 9). Jesus was opposed by evil men, yet His word endured.

The LORD is with His servant.

He is with Jeremiah as an awesome mighty one (verse 11). The persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail (verse 11). Jesus is God with us.

The LORD rescues the needy from evildoers.

He delivers the soul of the needy from the hand of evildoers (verse 13). Jeremiah sings praise to the LORD even in distress (verse 13). Christ rescues sinners from the judgment they deserve.

Memorize

Yahweh is with me as an awesome mighty one

Jeremiah 20:11

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where do I take my sorrow, and have I brought it to Jesus?

Pashhur beat Jeremiah and put him in the stocks. Jeremiah cried, “Yahweh, you have persuaded me,” and he felt the weight of his trouble. Yet the LORD was with His servant as an awesome mighty one, and the persecutors would not prevail.

Jesus was mocked, beaten and rejected by evil men, and their hatred could not stop Him from loving His people. He bore the judgment of His people at the cross, and He died for them. His death paid for sin, and God raised Him from the dead. His work is enough for every believer, and nothing more is needed.

Turn from your sin, and trust Jesus with your sorrow. Repent of sin, and come to Him for rescue from evil. Everyone who turns to Him is forgiven, and the LORD is near to those who call on Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD is with His servants and rescues the needy. Parents, you may want to explain verses 14 to 18 gently, in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He is with us in trouble, and bring the heart question to Him. Each child may pray a short prayer if they wish.

The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.

Psalms 34:17

Lord, thank You that You are with us in our trouble and that You rescue the needy. Forgive our fear, and help us to trust You when others oppose us. Bring each of us to Jesus, who suffered for His people, and keep us close to You this week. Amen.