Sunday 2nd August
Read Jeremiah 1:17-19
“‘Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land – against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the Lord.” (NIVUK)
If the almond branch was an image of promise, and the roiling pot was a warning, the third and final image contains both promise and warning. The warning is that failure to speak God’s words will have dire consequences for Jeremiah (v17b). Equally the warning is that speaking God’s words will also have dire, and painful, consequences (v19)!
The promise is that faithfulness will be rewarded with the ability to stand up under intense pressure. Speaking words of truth to those without ears to hear invites brutal opposition and Jeremiah will be made adamantine. It is a striking image, particularly considering that there was no such thing as a bronze wall in ancient times – it would be far too expensive! There was bronze coatings on wooden walls – but a wall entirely of bronze would be impregnable.
The promise that Jeremiah would be able to stand against the whole land and rulers of every stripe and colour is particularly bold. However, Derek Kidner made the astute observation in his commentary on these words that God was indeed faithful. The walls of Jerusalem collapsed before Jeremiah himself crumbled.
The warning and promise made to Jeremiah may seem like a mission specific charge. Stand firm, be faithful or face the consequences. Yet it tallies almost precisely with Jesus’ words to those who would faithfully follow Him…
“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.’” (Mark 8:34-38) (NIVUK)
