04-09-2006, 10:15 PM
Few biblical characters had more reason to be lonely than the prophet Jeremiah. He belonged to a priestly family which had long been ousted from the religiosu and royal establishment. In addition to his embarrassing lineage, Jeremiah was called at birth to serve as a prophet during the most devastating events in Jewish history. Prophesying from the thirteen year of Josiah's reight (627 B.C.) until shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 587 B.C., his forty-year ministry was marked by opponents' attempts to silence him by means of arrests, trials, beatings, imprisonments, and even asassination plots. Throughout the book, the prophet lamented to God and even called down judgment on the opposition and earned his title, the "weeping prophet."
While public ridicule of his message was swift and extreme, the prophet's personal sacrifices were far greater than any public outcry. His life's experiences were crafted to reflect God's revelation to the people of Judah. For instance, his prophetic office included the command to remain single. The Lord instructed Jeremiah, "You shall not take a wife, nor shall you have sons or daughters in this place."
Jeremiah's bachelorhood, is so unusual among the Jews that the Old Testament has no word for bachelor, and it undoubtely reinforces questions about him."
The life of Jeremiah continues to amaze. In spite of all that he experienced, Jeremiah never quite. His resolve to be obedient to his calling is both convicting and challenging. Jeremiah's single pursuit in life was to listen to what God said about knowing His grace. Frequently alone and at times lonely, the weeping prophet continued to minister to the Jewish people.
There are five areas that allowed this single adult to serve productively in a married world:
1. Jeremiah recognized that the Lord had called him. The God of the universe was specifically interested in and loved Jeremiah.
2. Jeremiah's trust in God's control served as a defense against loneliness. He only needed to reflect on the Lord's past record to know of His faithfulness and power.
3. Jeremiah was able to press on because he possessed God's perspective. Jeremiah recognized the Lord's plan and purpose for his life. Difficult periods of life can yield great benefits.
4. Jeremiah's commitment to prayer serves as the fourth way to which the prophet was able to handle loneliness. Constant communion with the Lord assists in tuning our will to His. It also allows for an avenue to express to the Lord our concerns and frustrations.
5. Jeremiah benefited from the presence of people in his life. He depended on Ebed Melech and others, such as Baruch, who served with him for over twenty years. As demonstrated even in our look at the apostle Paul, both unmarried and married companions are an essential component to living life for the Lord.
Adapted from "They Were Single Too" by David M. Hoffeditz and published by Kregel Publications
While public ridicule of his message was swift and extreme, the prophet's personal sacrifices were far greater than any public outcry. His life's experiences were crafted to reflect God's revelation to the people of Judah. For instance, his prophetic office included the command to remain single. The Lord instructed Jeremiah, "You shall not take a wife, nor shall you have sons or daughters in this place."
Jeremiah's bachelorhood, is so unusual among the Jews that the Old Testament has no word for bachelor, and it undoubtely reinforces questions about him."
The life of Jeremiah continues to amaze. In spite of all that he experienced, Jeremiah never quite. His resolve to be obedient to his calling is both convicting and challenging. Jeremiah's single pursuit in life was to listen to what God said about knowing His grace. Frequently alone and at times lonely, the weeping prophet continued to minister to the Jewish people.
There are five areas that allowed this single adult to serve productively in a married world:
1. Jeremiah recognized that the Lord had called him. The God of the universe was specifically interested in and loved Jeremiah.
2. Jeremiah's trust in God's control served as a defense against loneliness. He only needed to reflect on the Lord's past record to know of His faithfulness and power.
3. Jeremiah was able to press on because he possessed God's perspective. Jeremiah recognized the Lord's plan and purpose for his life. Difficult periods of life can yield great benefits.
4. Jeremiah's commitment to prayer serves as the fourth way to which the prophet was able to handle loneliness. Constant communion with the Lord assists in tuning our will to His. It also allows for an avenue to express to the Lord our concerns and frustrations.
5. Jeremiah benefited from the presence of people in his life. He depended on Ebed Melech and others, such as Baruch, who served with him for over twenty years. As demonstrated even in our look at the apostle Paul, both unmarried and married companions are an essential component to living life for the Lord.
Adapted from "They Were Single Too" by David M. Hoffeditz and published by Kregel Publications