Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 
Day 
Day 240

"All my acquaintances watched for my stumbling"

Text: Jeremiah 20:10

PRAYER OF JEREMIAH II

The prayer of Jeremiah was rather complex. There were many elements in his prayer that are important to note.

“For I heard many mocking:
‘Fear on every side!’
‘Report,’ they say, ‘and we will report it!’
All my acquaintances watched for my stumbling, saying,
‘Perhaps he can be induced;
Then we will prevail against him,
And we will take our revenge on him.’
But the LORD is with me as a mighty, awesome One.
Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail.
They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper.
Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten.”
Jeremiah 20:10-11

1. “For I heard many mocking: ‘Fear on every side!'”

a) Jeremiah spoke strongly to Pashhur.
b) God had given a new name to him “Magor-Missabib”.
c) This means “Fear on every side”.
d) The friends of Pashhur now mocked Jeremiah quoting his words:
i) In mockery.
ii) In ridicule.

2. “‘Report,’ they say, ‘and we will report it!'”

a) Whatever Jeremiah would say.
b) They would report that to Pashhur.
c) Jeremiah had virtually no one he could trust.
d) In this spiritual battle he was all alone, but God was with him!

3. “All my acquaintances watched for my stumbling, saying, ‘Perhaps he can be induced;
then we will prevail against him, and we will take our revenge on him'”

a) Jeremiah was born in a priestly family.
b) His native place was Anathoth, a city of the priests.
c) These were his acquaintances.
d) What were they doing?
i) They watched to see if Jeremiah stumbled.
ii) They waited to see if he could be “induced” (tempted).
e) Their intent was evil.
i) They wanted to prevail against Jeremiah.
ii) They wanted to take revenge on him.
f) Why was there such anger and hatred?
i) Jeremiah had pointed out their sins.
ii) He had spoken against them.
iii) He had said that they would be killed.
iv) They resented him for speaking such words!

They had failed to understand that he was only delivering Messages from God!