So did Jeremiah (and a host of other ‘heroes of the faith.’)
But let’s look real quickly at Jeremiah’s story.
“The Lord told me about the plots my enemies were making against me… I had no idea that they were planning to kill me.”
Most likely, you’ve never felt your life was being threatened. But, death can come to us in different forms.
Perhaps, you’ve had someone seek to threaten your reputation, your integrity, your position at work, etc.
[They are saying,] “Let’s destroy this man and all his words,” and, “Let’s spread rumors about him…”
Jeremiah had done nothing wrong. Frankly, he had done everything right. But once sharks smell blood in the water they don’t care about what damage they do.
But the story’s not over. Far from it.
“Let me see your vengeance against them, for I have committed my [case] to you.”
“I will punish them!… Not one of these plotters…will survive, for I will bring disaster upon them when their time of punishment comes.”
Why is God’s judgment and anger so severe against those who target us?
Because it’s an attack not merely on us, but on him. Jeremiah recorded,
Again the Lord spoke to me and said, “I have discovered a conspiracy against me among the people of Judah and Jerusalem. (emphasis mine)
Note when the risen Jesus confronted Paul (still named Saul at the time) on Paul’s way to Damascus. Even though Paul was incarcerating and killing Christians, Jesus warned him,
“Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” (emphasis mine)
So, what can we learn from Jeremiah’s story?
- Sadly – whether it’s due to jealousy, insecurity, pride, arrogance, anger, etc. – good people are targeted by this sort of cowardly and hateful behavior all the time. It happens. Like Jeremiah, even to those who’ve done nothing wrong.
- It seems like the schemes are always plotted and carried out not by individuals, but packs. Jeremiah uses plurals when referring to his enemies. Hyenas hunt in packs. So do wild dogs. By nature, they stalk their prey, awaiting their attack.
- Like Jeremiah, quickly bring your case before the supreme Judge.
- God’s anger rages against those who plot and scheme against his children.
- In some cases it is necessary to quickly defend yourself. But don’t “hit back.” And don’t forget what God said about vengeance – it belongs to *him*, not us (cf. Romans 12:19) He will take care of the schemers – you can count on it. In his time. All we must do is get out of his way.
nw