Jeremiah

Response

The Lord answered me, “Even if Moses and Samuel came personally to plead for this people, my heart would have no compassion. Send them away from my presence! Let them go!

And if they ask, ‘Where shall we go?’ tell them: The Lord says this: Those headed for the plague, to the plague; for the sword, to the sword; for starvation, to starvation; those destined for captivity, to captivity.

For I will send them four kinds of destroyers: the sword to slay, dogs to ravage, birds of the sky, and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

I will make them a source of horror for all the kingdoms of the world because of what Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, did in Jerusalem.

Poem About Jerusalem

Who will show compassion for you, Jerusalem? Who will feel sorry for you? Who will turn to ask how you are?

It was you who rejected me —word of the Lord— you turned your back on me, and because of that, I have stretched out my hand to destroy you. I was tired of showing mercy!

I winnowed them with a fork in the cities of the land, I left my people without children; I brought them to ruin, but they did not change their ways.

Their widows are more numerous than the sands of the sea. I have brought a destroyer upon the mothers of their young men, who ravages openly in broad daylight. Suddenly, terror and fear seize them.

The mother, who had seven children, is confused and discouraged as if she were about to breathe her last. Although it is still daytime, her sun has set. As for those who remain, I will let them be slain by the sword In front of their enemies —it is the Lord who speaks.

Jeremiah’s Confessions: Vocational Crisis

Woe is me, my Mother, why did you bring me into the world? A man of discord throughout the land! I owe them nothing; neither do they owe me, yet they all curse me!

Tell me, Lord, if I have not served you well! Did I not plead with you for my enemies during their shame and disgrace?

Can you break iron that comes from the north, and bronze?

I will let your wealth and your treasures be handed over to plunderers, not for a price but because of all your sins within your frontiers.

You shall be slaves of your enemies among a people you do not know, for the fury of my anger is on fire  and will burn you up.”

You know I have, Lord! Take care of me, defend me; take vengeance on my persecutors. Remember! For you, I have endured great humiliations.

I devoured your words when they came. They were my happiness and I felt full of joy when you made your name rest on me.

I never associate with worldly people, amusing myself with scoffers! When your hand was upon me, I stood apart and you filled me with your anger.

Why is there no end to my sorrow or healing for my wound? Why do you deceive me, and why does my spring suddenly dry up?

Then the Lord spoke to me, “If you return, I will accept you back and you will serve me again. Draw the gold from the dross and you will be as my own mouth. You must draw them to you and not go over to them.

I will make you a fortress and a wall of bronze to face them; if they fight against you, they will not overcome you.

I am with you to free you and save you. I will redeem you from the wicked and save you from the hands of tyrants.”