ATTACKING THE PREACHER

“Then they said, come and let us devise plans against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come and let us attack him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words!” (Jer. 18:18 NKJV).

It seems as if attacking preachers and pastors is a favorite pastime of many people in every age. Our verse speaks of this evil practice in regards to the prophet Jeremiah. It tells of the call for the attack, the cause of the attack, and the commencing of the attack.

Call for the attack – “Come and let us devise plans against Jeremiah.” The phrase “devise plans” mean to plot schemes. The words are a play on the words from Jeremiah’s message given vv. 11-12. This call to attack Jeremiah sounds like the action of evil and prideful folks who do not enjoy hearing about God’s sovereignty or the threat of judgment. They think that by silencing the messenger they will silence the Lord.

Cause of the attack – “For the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet.” Prior to this attack, Jeremiah had warned that if Israel did not repent, God would “scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy” (Jer. 18:17). The attackers did not like that message, saying it would not happen. This is what is meant by “for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet.” Jeremiah’s message was too strong - a strong and uncompromising message is still a cause of most of the attacks on preachers today.

Commencing of the attack – “Let us attack him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.” The attack on Jeremiah was twofold. Firstly, the attack insulted Jeremiah’s person: “Attack him with the tongue.” These folks slandered him and speak evil of him. Nothing has changed; there are folks in churches today who slander pastors. Secondly, the attack ignored Jeremiah’s preaching: “Let us not give heed to any of his words.” These folks would not support Jeremiah’s preaching. They would frown on his messages just like most folks do today. We should not practice these behaviors or the Lord will take us to the woodshed (discipline us).

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“It is a poor sermon that gives no offense; that neither makes the hearer displeased with himself nor with the preacher!”

George Whitefield (1714 – 1770)

Anglican Cleric and Evangelist

Word Study

Tribulation

In Rom. 5:3 we read, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance” (NKJV).

Tribulation is the Greek word thlipsis (θλῖψις = thlip'-sis). It means oppression, affliction, tribulation, pressure, distress. Figuratively, thlipsis picture being ‘crushed’ by intense pressure, difficult circumstances, suffering or trouble pressing from without. It is a strong term which does not refer to minor inconveniences, but to real hardships.

In classical Greek thlipsis means to crush, press together, squash, hem in, compress, squeeze. In the Septuagint, thlipsis is used to denote tribulation, trial, or distress. In the New Testament, thlipsis also carries the idea of tribulation or distress. In Scripture the word is most often used of outward difficulties, but it is also used of emotional stress and sorrows which weighs down a person’s spirit and burden the heart. Thlipsis then includes the disappointments which can crush the life out of the person who is afflicted.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would be innocent and do no violence (Isa. 53:9)

New Testament Fulfillment – Luke 23:41; John 18:38

Did You Know…

In the Bible it states that Jesus indwells us (Col. 1:27).

Bible Quiz

Where in the Bible can we find the following words: “Now I lay me down to sleep...?”

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: How many angels were seen in the sepulcher? 2, “one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain” (John 20:12).

Names of the Lord Jesus Found in the Bible

“Jesus”

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins!” (Matt. 1:21 NKJV).

1. Meaning – Jesus saves.

2. Insights – Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew Yeshua (Joshua). The name means “Yahweh (Jehovah) is salvation.

3. Related Titles – Yeshua (Joshua)

Did You Know – Christian History

Isaac Jogues was born January 10, 1607 in Orleans, France. He was a French missionary and martyr who traveled and worked among the Iroquois, Huron, and other Native populations in North America.

Jogues was educated at home until the age of ten, at which point he began attending Jesuit schools. At age seventeen, he entered Jesuit training. After completing his studies in philosophy and Theology, Jogues was ordained a priest in 1636 and assigned as a missionary to the Huron and Algonquian tribes.

For six years, Jogues lived in the village of St Joseph and learned the Huron’s’ ways and language. However, on August 3, 1642, Jogues and a group of Christian Hurons were attacked by a war party of the Mohawk Nation as they headed back from Quebec City. Jogues allegedly hid in the bushes but decided to join the prisoners in order to comfort them and ensure that their faith in Christianity remained strong. He was tortured and beaten with sticks and his fingernails torn out. Throughout his captivity, Jogues comforted, baptized, heard confession from, and absolved the other prisoners.

Jogues spent long hours in prayers, weeping and asking the Lord to accept his own life if by yielding it the Indians of North America might be won to Christ. One night he heard what he took to be a word from the Lord, saying: “Your prayers are granted. It will happen as you have asked. Take heart! Be courageous!”

Eventually Jogues was “adopted” by an elderly native woman. The Iroquois came to respect him. However, it was only fear of the ‘White man’s reprisals’ which saved his life. Once he escaped to a Dutch ship. The Indians threatened to kill every Hollander in America if Jogues was not returned. Jogues voluntarily gave himself up rather than risk the lives of others. After several months, he was ransomed by the Dutch and returned to France for a time.

After a while, Jogues asked to be allowed to return to the Iroquois who had tormented him and preach the gospel to them. It seemed as if peace with the Iroquois had finally come. But the buried hatchet was dug up. Although admiring his bravery, the Iroquois seized Jogues and one of their braves tomahawked him. Later the murderer was captured and tried by the French. Before the murderer was hung, he converted and took Isaac Jogues as his baptismal name.

A Little Humor

A prayer for those of us who are getting a little older: “God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Those who live right won’t get left!”