Week 2 concluding thought

Talking about blunt, in Jeremiah 20, the prophet bluntly lays out his wrestling with the word of God. Here is just a small section, when you have time read the whole chapter. It will give you some insights into the personality of Jeremiah.
9 Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him,
Nor speak anymore in His name.”
But His word was in my heart like a burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
I was weary of holding it back,
And I could not.

Jeremiah was in a very difficult place, the Lord had called him to speak His words to a people that would not listen. In fact, they were physically, as well as mentally and emotionally abusive to Jeremiah. So Jeremiah must have thought to himself, I just won't talk to them anymore. That will serve them right. In fact, Jeremiah goes so far as to laments the day he was born because this has become so hard for him to bear. I am sure we have all been in that place to one degree or another. The "why me(s)" were plaguing this prophet just as they do everyone.

But what is interesting is Jeremiah could not keep quiet, no matter how much he wanted to. The word of God burned inside of him and he could not hold it back. It was powerful and seemed to have a life of itself....it must be spoken!! He must release the power of the words to those it was sent to. Of course this does not stop our prophet from wishing the people would all die miserable deaths.

Looking at this chapter, what is the picture you get of Jeremiah's life? What is his relationship like with God? Do you think he really hated the people? Do you get a clearer picture of why God chose this man to speak for Him?