Jeremiah 20:9
Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
Jeremiah determined to stop speaking in God's name because of the ridicule, persecution, imprisonment and hardship that delivering the message brought upon him. But the message God had given him burned within him like a fire confined inside his body, until holding it back became exhausting and impossible to endure. No persecution, imprisonment or destruction of the written record could silence that proclamation, for human anger cannot destroy God's word or prevent it from being made known. The same compulsion rests upon all to whom God entrusts His warning and truth, who cannot remain silent, forbear or turn back even when frightened, opposed, reproached, exhausted and longing to stop. When the word is truly received into the heart it presses irresistibly for expression, shining out unmistakably in face, words, conduct and writing to bring light to those in darkness.
Jeremiah's Resolve Overcome
Jeremiah resolved not to mention God or speak any more in His name because opposition and ridicule, mockery and persecution, imprisonment and the sheer hardship of delivering the message pressed him to stop. The hostility he faced made silence seem the only relief, and he determined to withhold the unwelcome word. Yet that resolve was overcome, for the pressure to speak proved stronger than his restraint.
God's word was in his heart as a burning fire shut up in his bones, and he grew weary with forbearing until he could not stay silent or contain it. The message burned within him so strongly that though he tried to refrain he could not keep it in. Persecution and imprisonment could not silence his proclamation of the truth. Though Jehoiakim destroyed the written record of the prophecies, their message remained alive in Jeremiah, who was permitted to reproduce it, showing that human anger cannot destroy God's word or prevent it from being made known.
The verse thus describes the burden to give divine warnings even when doing so is painful and deeply unwelcome. Its image carries compelling power: the message of truth must be given in living reality, here as a call to heed all the commandments of God.
Compelling Witness Today
When God places His word and warning in the heart, His servants cannot remain silent, forbear, or turn back. Even when frightened, opposed, reproached, and threatened, and wishing they could stop speaking, the force of the truth within compels them to speak. They must proclaim it because the truth in their hearts is God's message put there by Him.
The same experience belongs to God's servants who reprove wrongdoing and expose principles that pervert justice. Though so opposed and mocked that they resolve to stop speaking in God's name, they face the same kind of opposition as Jeremiah, yet the word of the Lord within them must still be spoken.
The saving message carried to people in spiritual darkness must be held in the heart like fire within the bones. The Spirit's power and God's refining work prepare the heart for this work. This inward urgency enables bearers of the message to bear reproach and to serve beyond the comforts of home.
Humble people, including the uneducated and children, when moved by the Holy Spirit feel the word burn like fire shut up in the bones. It creates in them an irresistible desire to proclaim present truth. By this they bring light to those in darkness.
When Scripture reveals precious truth, the word deeply received becomes an inward fire pressing Bible students to share it earnestly. Continued study brings fresh light for that witness.
The inward urgency is so strong that a person cannot hold peace but must speak and bear the testimony God gave. This compulsion holds despite personal feeling, difficulty, weakness, need for rest, and exhaustion, from a burden for souls. Though needing to restrain herself, she longs for greater power to reach people. Speaking brings relief, so that personal plans and writing are set aside when duty calls for public testimony. Personal plans and writing give way because the burning testimony cannot be kept silent even when the work is exhausting.
When the living word is alive in a person it burns so it cannot be held back. It shines out clearly and unmistakably in the face and in words and conduct, representing Christ to the world. Joined with humble prayer this witness has power to move people and call on God's strength.
The same fire compels writing down the truth despite wishing to forbear. It fills experienced workers whose minds hold truth they need to share and who may not have another opportunity to deliver their message. It is also a burning concern for God's work to advance on right lines with a desire to raise the voice in appeal to the people.
God's truth burned in John Robinson's heart so strongly that he could not keep silent. He could not allow the light of God to be extinguished within him. This held true even though breaking from the established church was painful.