Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 15:19–20
19 Therefore this is what the Lord says:
“If you repent, I will restore you
that you may serve me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
you will be my spokesman.
Let this people turn to you,
but you must not turn to them.
20 I will make you a wall to this people,
a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you
but will not overcome you,
for I am with you
to rescue and save you,”
declares the Lord.
Reflection: The Wall or the Wrecking Ball
By Erin Newton
Standing up for what you believe in conjures up images of stalwart protesters in a line. But it could be the minority vote in the church or the quivering voice that steps up to the microphone during a denominational meeting saying, “What we’ve done is wrong.”
After hearing the vivid reality of Judah’s inevitable destruction, Jeremiah interrupts. “Lord, you understand…Remember me…Care for me.” Despite the clear declaration of judgment—undoubtedly their sinfulness demanded it—Jeremiah leans into the mercy of God.
Jeremiah is our “weeping prophet” no less. But he is steadfast in his confidence that God is not only just but also merciful.
God responds through his trusted merciful and compassionate character. As long as Jeremiah seeks truth by speaking worthy words (funnily, God is clear that they are not worthless words), then God would make him a wall.
A wall?! What a strange image. God doesn’t say here he will make Jeremiah a likable hero. He isn’t making him a shade-giving tree or fruit-bearing vine. He will be a wall.
Walls keep people out of where they might want to go. To the person, walls are obstacles. They are always “in our way.” Walls tend to get graffitied and pushed on. (To be clear, walls built by humans to segregate or harm other humans are the worst of walls. But this is a divinely built, metaphorical “wall.”)
As a wall, Jeremiah would stand against his peers as they pushed against him, trying to make him crumble. They might even try to force their words, their ideas, on him in hopes he would move aside so they could carry on their sinful ways. They were headed on a path (to destruction) and Jeremiah as a wall was meant to keep them from advancing.
God doesn’t sugarcoat what it will be like for the prophet. It will be hard.
We might fantasize what it would be like to stand up for what we believe in. Will we be the unlikely superhero or star of a biography? The reality is that we are likely to be pushed against, tempted to cave in to peers, and join Jeremiah in lamenting for our world.
In a very real way, we may find ourselves not as the wall standing for God’s truth but as the wrecking ball, trying to tear down our fellow brother or sister.
Are you standing for truth or actively tearing down?
Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
I restrain my feet from every evil way, that I may keep your word. — Psalm 119.101
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 15 (Listen 3:49)
Galatians 6 (Listen 2:18)
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Read more about Jeremiah, the Unpatriotic Prophet
Christians who see deeply into the problems of their country will often feel pressured not to speak about it for fear of being “unpatriotic” or “disrespectful.”
