Jeremiah 20:9 - Exposition

Then I said , etc.; rather, And when I say , I will not make mention of him , etc; then it becometh (i.e. I am conscious of a feeling) in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones ; and I weary myself to hold it in , but cannot . The prophet has repeatedly been tempted to withdraw from the painful duty, but his other and higher self (comp. 'Old Self and New Self' in the 'Lyra Apostolica') overpowers these lower bayings for peace and quiet. The fire of the Divine wrath against sin burns so fiercely within him that he cannot help resuming his work.