What are some of the challenges Jeremiah faced?

Answer 1

As the Hebrew name Jeremiah (bitterness) alludes, Jeremiah faced the bitter opposition of certain enemies, and had the unenviable and bitter task of prophesying the First Destruction. He lived a few decades before the Babylonian conquest, by which time it was all but inevitable. However, his prophecies of an eventual redemption meant that the impending Destruction would serve a purpose and would not spell the end of the Jewish people.

• Jeremiah's hardships:

1) At first he was unsure of his readiness to be a prophet (ch.1).

2) His prophecies included the impending Destruction (21:10 and other verses), and this caused him anguish (10:19).

3) There were false prophets who contradicted Jeremiah's words (14:14).

4) People cursed him because of his dire prophecies (15:10).

5) People hit him (20:2 and 37:14).

6) He was detained like a criminal (ibid; and 33:1 and 37:15).

7) He was threatened with death (26:8).

8) He witnessed the destruction of the cities of Judah by the Babylonians (34:7; 39:2).

9) He had to prophesy to the king about the Destruction, and the king got angry and burned the scroll of prophecies (ch.36).

10) He was thrown into a mud-pit and nearly drowned (38:10).

11) He was accused of lying (43:2).

Jeremiah was a contemporary of the Prophetess Huldah and King Yoshiah. This was about 40 years before the First Destruction, a couple of generations after the Ten Tribes went lost. The Tribe of Judah was nearing the end of its monarchy, as the prophets (including Jeremiah) had been warning them constantly. Jeremiah lived long enough to witness the Destruction; and he penned the Book of Lamentations (Eichah). Tradition states that he also wrote the Book of Kings.

Answer 2

1) At first he was unsure of his readiness to be a prophet (ch.1).
2) His prophecies included the impending Destruction (21:10 and other verses), and this caused him anguish (10:19).
3) There were false prophets who contradicted Jeremiah's words (14:14).
4) People cursed him because of his dire prophecies (15:10).
5) People hit him (20:2 and 37:14).
6) He was detained like a criminal (ibid; and 33:1 and 37:15).
7) He was threatened with death (26:8).
8) He witnessed the destruction of the cities of Judah by the Babylonians (34:7; 39:2).
9) He had to prophesy to the king about the Destruction, and the king got angry and burned the scroll of prophecies (ch.36).
10) He was thrown into a mud-pit and nearly drowned (38:10).
11) He was accused of lying (43:2).

See also the Related Links.

Link: Purpose of the Prophets
Link: History of the Hebrew Bible