Jeremiah is another of the "major" prophets, meaning the book is of significant length.
His call narrative reminds us of Moses. Jeremiah protests "Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy." Likewise Moses had said "I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." But in both cases God promises "I am with you."
And so Jeremiah speaks as God's prophet, accusing Judah and Israel of having forsaken the God who brought them out of Israel, and of sacrificing to other gods.
God's accusations are against all the people -- the rulers, the teachers and the priests. All were guilty.
Jeremiah's language reflects the patriarchal society he lived in. Many of the references to the sinfulness of the people use images of an adulterous woman, a wicked woman, even "a restive young camel interlacing her tracks" - interpreted elsewhere as "a lustful she-camel restlessly running about."
Jeremiah again reminds the people of what they lose when they turn away from God, who brought them out of slavery, who gave them the law, and a land to live in and worship him. Why do they keep turning away from Him? Why do we?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please leave your thoughts about this reading in the comments. Because of spammers, comments required approval.