Jeremiah 20:10-11 - Homiletics

A prophet persecuted by spies.

I. THE PERSECUTION BY SPIES .

1. Consider the persons persecuting.

(a) they have been trusted and

(b) they know the weak places in a man's armor.

2. Consider the character of the persecution. The persecution of spies must have been peculiarly harassing.

II. THE REFUGE FROM THIS PERSECUTION . Jeremiah found his refuge in God.

1. He could do so because he was innocent and because he was suffering in the service of God . How happy to be able thus fearlessly to challenge the arbitration of God between ourselves arid our detractors!

2. The help of God is sought because he knows all . He sees "the reins and the heart." If the spy is watchful, with his prying looks capable of seeing only the surface of things and with only partial views, and listening only to catch up broken fragments of speech to distort and misrepresent, God is righteously watchful of all that his creatures say and do.

3. The help of God is trusted in because he is "a mighty terrible one." "The God is a man of war." The might and majesty of God—so terrible to the godless—are the refuge of his people. It should be remembered by all of us that God is actively concerned with human affairs, and in his providence, without requiring what we call "miracle," can frustrate the devices of the wise and defeat the efforts of the strong.