Ministers Blogs
“The Prophet who Endured”
Categories: Christian PrinciplesTonk Talk by Mark T. Tonkery
When we think of endurance we do not usually think of the prophets of the Bible. Many times, we just read about them in short moments of their life such as Jonah, Obadiah, Nathan, or even Elijah. We know really very little about them and sometimes do not know if they ministered their whole life or just for a short time. Yet there is one prophet that the Bible talks about who ministered during the reign of five kings of Judah. God called him while he was still in his mother’s womb (Jer. 1:5). He was a prophet for more than forty years to kings, princes, false prophets, priests, and people of all social classes. He preached and prophesied with many tears and was also known as the “Weeping Prophet.” He loved people and wanted the lost to return to God. Most of the people he loved mocked him, were hostile, and apathetic towards his message. Often the people ignored his messages and threatened his life. He even saw fellow prophets being murdered. He himself was beaten and put in prison many times (Jer. 37:15).
One highlight in this prophet’s life was he saw the revival in the nation of Judah under the reign of Josiah, but only to be grieved again when he saw the Jews returning to idolatry. He warned and warned the nation of Judah about the coming of the Babylonians, and then he witnessed his prophecies come true, as the Babylonians came and destroyed Judah and the Temple.
He was from a family of Levite priests and was a very honest person, who had a very deep relationship with God. He did not want the people of Judah to receive the judgment of God and he was hoping that the people of Judah would repent. With the coming judgment upon Judah, God forbid him to marry (Jer. 16:2). Throughout the book with his name on it, it shows his grief, sorrow, and at times his loneliness. Yet he was dedicated to serving God.
If you have not guessed by now this prophet was none other than Jeremiah. Jeremiah was a prophet who endured, even though at times he wept and wanted to give up (Jer. 9:2; 20:1-18). He never did. Although we do not have a record of his death, everything we know about Jeremiah points us to believe that he died as a faithful follower of Almighty God.
What an example of endurance and faithfulness. He never gave up. He never surrendered and turned his back on God like the rest of the crowd. He endured. He was faithful. He was righteous.
What an example for us, as we run the Christian race and face many temptations, trials, and discouragements, may we have the faith and endurance as Jeremiah. Like Jeremiah, we are never promised that life will be free of trouble or struggles. Hebrews 12:1 even encourages us by saying, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
May we stay faithful to God, keep running the race, and keep abiding in God’s word, just like Jeremiah the prophet who endured.
