Jeremiah the Prophet
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III spoke about the character of the Prophet Jeremiah, explaining that he was not—as some might think—a weak or overly emotional man inclined to weep, but rather a strong and courageous prophet who bore witness to the truth and defended the faith with power and conviction.
Jeremiah was called “the Weeping Prophet” because he wrote the Book of Lamentations, which carries a tone of sorrow and tears, expressing the heart of a gentle man who deeply grieved for his people. Yet, the Book of Jeremiah itself reveals his boldness and the strength of his prophetic mission.
🔹 God’s Call to Jeremiah:
The Lord said to him: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
When Jeremiah excused himself saying, “I am but a youth,” the Lord replied, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.”
The Lord also promised him: “Behold, I have made you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land… They will fight against you but shall not prevail against you, for I am with you to deliver you.”
🔹 His Difficult Mission:
Jeremiah was called to a burdensome mission—to rebuke and warn the kings, priests, and all the people of Judah of God’s wrath and coming judgment. This was during a time when corruption had spread throughout Judah: the kings, the priests, the false prophets, and the people alike had fallen into idolatry, impurity, and witchcraft.
🔹 Historical Context:
His Holiness noted that corruption began in the days of King Manasseh, who “did evil in the sight of the Lord,” building altars for idols, worshipping the host of heaven, and even making his sons pass through the fire. His sons and successors continued in evil until the cup of God’s wrath was full, and He sent upon them captivity and judgment.
🔹 Jeremiah’s Suffering:
Despite his gentleness, Jeremiah endured deep inner pain. He was persecuted, beaten, imprisoned, and thrown into a cistern of mud. Yet God was always with him, rescuing him each time.
His Holiness said: “Do not think that prophecy is an easy position. Jeremiah was persecuted and mocked—just as it happened to the Lord Jesus Himself, of whom it was said: ‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you.’”
🔹 The Divine Word in the Prophet’s Mouth:
The Pope said: “The Lord placed His word in Jeremiah’s mouth; whatever the prophet spoke was the word of God Himself. This is what we declare in our faith: ‘The Holy Spirit spoke through the prophets.’”
🔹 Spiritual Conclusion:
God chooses the weak to shame the strong. Through his humility and purity, Jeremiah became an instrument of God’s power and a model for every servant who obeys God’s voice—even when the path is filled with suffering.
