Saturday 13 March 2021

Psalm 105:1-11

Background

This is the first of a series of laments that Jeremiah makes. Here, he is bewailing his recent discovery that there is a death plot against him. Yesterday, we were feeling sorry for him because no one was listening to him. Today, he is in a far more perilous situation.

Jeremiah appears to have been blissfully unaware of what was being planned until it was revealed to him by the Lord (v. 18). His ignorance of this impending doom is compared to a lamb being led to the slaughter (v. 19). He is also described as a “tree with its fruit” (v. 19) which indicates his relatively young age. His enemies want to cut him down whilst he is still in his prime. They also want to ensure that his name will no longer be remembered. So, this is not simply about ending Jeremiah’s life and stopping him from having a future. It is about wiping out the past and erasing him from history.

Perhaps surprisingly, Jeremiah doesn’t seem to be angry with God. His lament is not a complaint. He is sharing his situation with God but also reaffirming his commitment to God and his trust that God will “judge righteously” (v. 20). We began the week with Jesus expressing his righteous anger. We end the week with Jeremiah doing the same.

To Ponder:

• What would you include in a prayer of lament?
• How do you want to be remembered after your death?

Prayer

Righteous Judge, we pray for all who are in pain and distress. Hear their cry and assure them that they are not forgotten. Amen.