Jeremiah 20 “A Prayer Cursing Himself”

Jeremiah 20 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:                                                             

• Rest On Us – Maverick City Music x UPPERROOM
• Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) – Hillsong Worship
• Turn Your Eyes – Sovereign Grace Music

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• God’s Story: Sermon on the Mount: Give Your Worries to God – Lesson for Kids
• I Will Trust You | HLA Wilderness Escape VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Whole Lotta Change | Roar VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Won’t Worry ‘Bout A Thing | Shipwrecked VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

When Pashhur heard Jeremiah’s prophecy in the courtyard of the temple, he seized Jeremiah, beat him, and put him in the stocks overnight (vv. 1–2). The next day, when Pashhur released him, Jeremiah prophesied that Pashhur would be called “Magor-Missabib” (meaning “Terror on Every Side”) and that Judah would be judged and destroyed. He declared that Pashhur and his friends would be taken into captivity and die in Babylon (vv. 3–6). Because of this prophecy, Jeremiah likely suffered even harsher treatment from Pashhur and the people of Jerusalem.

After being mistreated and driven away by Pashhur, Jeremiah again fell into deep despair and poured out his agonizing cry before God. He laments that he was deceived into becoming a prophet and that doing so has made him a laughingstock among the people (vv. 7–8). He tries to close his mouth and remain silent, but the word that God placed within him burns like fire, and he cannot hold it back. Meanwhile, people wait for any opportunity to accuse him and bring him down (vv. 9–10).

Yet Jeremiah has no one to rely on but God. He prays that God, who knows his innocence, will judge his enemies and repay them (vv. 11–12). Believing that God will hear his prayer, he offers a prayer of praise (v. 13).

However, the despair that had already seized his heart did not leave him. His confession of praise remained like an empty shell, without strength. Suddenly, he turns and begins to speak a bitter curse against himself. He says it would have been better if he had never been born, and he declares that the day of his birth should be cursed, not celebrated (vv. 14–15). He even calls upon the messenger who announced his birth to his father, cursing him (v. 16). He laments that it would have been better if he had died in the womb (vv. 17–18).

Meditation:

Like many true prophets, Jeremiah endured severe suffering. This was partly because he lived and spoke during the time when Judah was falling into destruction, and partly because of the method of prophecy God required from him. The Lord did not only command Jeremiah to proclaim messages that were difficult for the people to accept—He also made him deliver them in ways that were provocative and confronting.

Jeremiah stood before those coming out of the temple after offering sacrifices and shouted that the temple would become a ruin. No one would have received him kindly for that. Jeremiah himself did not want to do such things. At times, he resolved to remain silent. But the word of the Lord that had been placed within him burned like fire, and he could not hold it back. Whenever he opened his mouth to deliver God’s message, what came back to him was hatred, curses, insults, and even threats of death.

As this cycle repeated, Jeremiah often fell into a deep depression. His emotional struggle grew to the point where even prayer did not seem to help. He would try to fix his eyes on God, confess faith, and offer praise—but his heart felt unchanged. Finding no relief, Jeremiah poured out curses and anguish openly before God. Before the people, Jeremiah had been a prophet who thundered like fire; yet before God, he became entirely vulnerable.

It seems that Jeremiah was able to endure such a harsh calling because he stood honestly before God. Because he became weak before God, he could be strong before people. God did not respond to Jeremiah’s cries with explanations—but God surely held him close and wept with him. In that embrace, Jeremiah poured out everything, was restored, and stood once again before the people to proclaim God’s word.

Prayer:

Lord, so this is what it means to follow You and to stand on Your side. Even while suffering, we cannot leave Your presence. Even if we die, we must die in You. You know that we are too weak on our own to do this. So please take our weakness and reveal Your strength through us. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God wants us to come to Him honestly—even when we feel sad, tired, frustrated, or confused. Like Jeremiah, we don’t need to pretend to be strong in front of God. When we bring our true feelings to Him, God holds us, comforts us, and helps us stand again.

• For Preschool-Elementary:
  • When you feel sad or upset, who do you talk to? Do you think you can also talk to God that way?
  • What do you think it means that God listens to our hearts, not just our words?
  • Can you think of a time when God helped you feel better, even just a little bit?
    
• Youth:
  
  • Jeremiah felt alone, misunderstood, and discouraged. Why do you think God allows His people to face hard times—even when they are doing what’s right?
  • Jeremiah was honest with God about his pain. Are there emotions you find hard to share with God? Why do you think that is?
  • What is one small, private way you could open your heart more honestly to God this week? (e.g., journaling, silent prayer, music, nature walk)