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"They have wearied you"

Text: Jeremiah 12:5

THE WEARINESS FELT

The Lord knew exactly how Jeremiah was feeling. The stress and toil of ministry was getting to him. The young prophet was feeling weary!

“If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you,
Then how can you contend with horses?
And if in the land of peace,
In which you trusted, they wearied you,
Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?
For even your brothers, the house of your father,
Even they have dealt treacherously with you;
Yes, they have called a multitude after you.
Do not believe them,
Even though they speak smooth words to you.”
Jeremiah 12:5-6

1. “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses?”

a) A comparison was drawn.

i) The footmen may be compared to the infantry.

ii) The horses may be compared to the cavalry.

b) Jeremiah’s spiritual battle was with the footmen.

i) He was already feeling weary.

ii) He was impatient to see his enemies destroyed.

c) What if the intensity of the battle increased?

i) What if he has to contend with those on horseback?

ii) How would he be able to cope?

2. “And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?”

a) The war had not yet begun.

b) If at peace time, Jeremiah was wearied.

c) How would he cope in a flood situation?

The plain of Jordan becomes “a floodplain”.

d) Jeremiah would have to find greater strength and resilience.

3. “For even your brothers, the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you”

a) Jeremiah was warned about his own flesh and blood brethren.

b) His own brothers would deal treacherously with him!

c) He must find spiritual strength to cope.

4. “Yes, they have called a multitude after you. Do not believe them, even though they speak smooth words to you”

a) They would try different tactics.

b) They will try and entice Jeremiah with:

i) A multitude of “followers”.

ii) Or speak “smooth words”.

c) Jeremiah must exercise wisdom and discernment.

i) These are enemies.

ii) They cannot be trusted.

iii) They are out to kill Jeremiah.

d) Jeremiah must seek:

i) Revival of spirit.

ii) Renewal of strength for his ministry.