{"id":70103,"date":"2020-02-12T12:42:18","date_gmt":"2020-02-12T10:42:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/?p=70103"},"modified":"2023-09-07T16:42:12","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T13:42:12","slug":"a-bitter-aftertaste","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/a-bitter-aftertaste\/","title":{"rendered":"A Bitter Aftertaste?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Jeremiah frequently laments to God about his precarious situation as a social outcast prophesying Judah\u2019s destruction. In verse 16 of our chapter, he reminisces to God about happier times. He says:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When your words were offered, I devoured them;<\/span>
\n<\/span>Your word brought me the delight and the joy <\/span>
\n<\/span>Of knowing that Your name is attached to me,<\/span>
\n<\/span>O LORD, God of Hosts.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a lot that is strange about this verse. Here are three things that stand out:<\/span><\/p>\n

1)\u00a0 Jeremiah eats God\u2019s words<\/span><\/p>\n

When we consider mouths, we normally think of them as having two main functions. Mouths speak words and eat food. Words come out of mouths, unlike food that goes in. However, here Jeremiah eats words, as if words were food. He does not eat just any words, but he eats God\u2019s words.<\/span><\/p>\n

This passage calls to mind the famous instance of Ezekiel eating God\u2019s scroll and finding it as sweet as honey (Ezekiel 3:1-3). Both passages allude to Deuteronomy 8:3, the verse that famously teaches that Israel does not only live on bread, but on whatever comes out of God\u2019s mouth. However, Jeremiah discovers that such a diet can lead to unexpected consequences\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2) Jeremiah turns into what he eats<\/span><\/p>\n

Because he ate God\u2019s words, God\u2019s name is attached to Jeremiah and he speaks God\u2019s prophetic words to others. Not only has he consumed and been nourished by God\u2019s words, but he also appears to have become a living embodiment of these words. He regurgitates God\u2019s words through his prophecies. This leads to serious complications in Jeremiah\u2019s life\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

3) Jeremiah regrets his eating choices<\/span><\/p>\n

Jeremiah speaks this verse within a lament. He complains that while he initially enjoyed eating God\u2019s words, as time has passed he believes doing so has threatened his life. He had thought God\u2019s word would sustain his life, but instead people want to kill him because of his unpopular prophecies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

God responds to Jeremiah\u2019s complaint. He says that Jeremiah will continue to serve as God\u2019s mouth (verse 19) and that God will strengthen Jeremiah, protecting him from all danger (verses 20-21). However, God will not reverse the decree against Judah. God\u2019s mind has been made up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are we to take from this? It appears that digesting God\u2019s words can sometimes be a very unpleasant experience. It can generate conflict in our relationships with others and with society. Ezekiel\u2019s scroll may have tasted sweet, but it seems that Jeremiah\u2019s meal left a bitter aftertaste.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, ingesting God\u2019s words and remaining in conversation with God about his troubles is what ultimately saves Jeremiah\u2019s life. Jeremiah will survive both the threats against his life and the Babylonian conquering of Jerusalem.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eating God\u2019s words may not always be a pleasant experience. However, doing so can save our lives.<\/span>
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