Wild lions and hyenas, vultures and horses populate today’s chapter, perhaps figments of the prophet’s wild visions, all conjured by Jeremiah, maybe on the run, who imagines YHWH responds to his laments. The visions of wild animals ravage and disrupt civilization, roaming through the land no longer ruled by kings but by the laws of nature.
Jeremiah’s persecution by his people is exhausting, as he literally runs away from his own hometown, possibly finding refuge in Jerusalem. But he’s told by YHWH, somehow echoed in his inner voice -- that this is all part of the plan.
In order to become the prophet he was destined to become since birth, and to play the big stage of political power and its disruption - he has to work hard and to face many challenges:
“If you race with the foot-runners and they exhaust you,
How then will you compete with horses?
If you are secure only in a tranquil land,
How will you fare in the wild weeds of the Jordan river?”
Jeremiah learns a vital lesson here, going through prophetic basic training. In order to compete with the other prophets and to have the stamina to handle criticism and even violence - he has to practice and persevere.
First run well enough to outrun your townspeople - then take on the capitol, with all its horsepower.
And there’s more than stamina at stake here for Jeremiah. He is also taught to shed some of his naïveté and childlike trust. He’s gotta grow up into a cruel world.
For his harsh messages to be heard and maybe even listened to — he has to know that even those who raised him may not share his views or care for his well being. He has to learn to be not just a prophet taking on politics - but also a shrewd politician, taking risks and surviving in the jungle and its wild weeds:
Both prophet and deity wail their disappointment from their people in this chapter. Jeremiah’s plight away from home, his sense of betrayal - echoes that of YHWH who looks upon Judea with disdain - how have the people forgotten to follow the divine law? Why are they choosing other deities and neglecting the covenant? Wild lions will roam, along with hyenas and hawks will circle above what once were ripe fields and tranquil homes. Nature roars and hisses through these verses, already ready to replace the ruined homes with vines and weeds. Is this justice? Jeremiah wants to know - will the evil ones be punished for their wicked deeds?
The lions roar, the horses keep running. Somehow the prophet learns how to run too, and perhaps to ask less questions, be tougher and braver, and keep listening to the inner voices that propel his prophecies, no matter the price.
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