1. Jeremiah 20:7–13 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why does Jeremiah say, “Violence and destruction!” whenever he speaks?

Jeremiah 20:7–13 (ESV)

7 O LORD, you have deceived me, and I was deceived; you are stronger than I, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all the day; everyone mocks me.

Jeremiah describes his preaching as a prophet as one who simply shouts Violence and destruction all the time. All he seems to have to say to Judah is that the Lord’s terrifying judgment is coming. For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long. As he describes how the nation has mocked and rejected him because of his preaching, Jeremiah comes dangerously close to speaking very negatively about the word that he has received from the Lord.