Considering ... Outcomes Wed 8/3

Annually, we mark three weeks leading up to the anniversary of one of the most terrible days on the Jewish calendar, the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av. On this day both the First and Second Temples were destroyed (by the Babylonians in 576BCE, by the Romans in 70CE), as well as numerous additional tragedies that befell our ancestors throughout history. The selections we read from the Prophets are from Jeremiah and Isaiah, but just before the first of these selections is Jeremiah 1:1–2:3.

When God begins speaking to Jeremiah, God explains that God chose Jeremiah to receive prophecy before the prophet was even born, while he was still being formed in his mother’s womb. Though many people might take this as a compliment, Jeremiah is terrified to learn this, and counters that he cannot serve as a prophet because he is too young and unable to speak. But God insists that Jeremiah will serve God, Who offers a promise of Divine protection and verbal inspiration.

Then God delivers two visions to Jeremiah. In the first, a branch from an almond tree serves as a reminder that God is watchful and committed to bringing God’s words to fruition (the Hebrew word for almond is similar to the word for watchful.) In the second vision, a steaming pot, tipped away from the north, represents a disaster that will soon come forth from the northern kingdom, Babylonia. Though the disaster will be great, and Jeremiah will come under attack, God promises to protect him.

At the end of the selection, God recalls how devoted Israel was to God, following God into the unsown desert, and trekking to Israel. God emphasizes that those who disrespect God and God’s land will be found guilty, and those who are loyal to God will be rewarded.

q/q: Think of a time you were terrified to have learned something, either about yourself or about someone or something else. What was the outcome? Did things turn out really well for you and/or for those around you? How did you handle the situation?