Jer 20:14 | MHM | STEP | The Prophet's Impatient Appeal In this section, Jeremiah shares some of his most difficult feelings. After praising the Lord in Jeremiah 20:13 ,. These verses show the strong inner battle Jeremiah faced while suffering. He records these words to remind himself—and us—of the struggle between faith and despair. By remembering his own weakness, he gives glory to God for helping him overcome and warns others to be careful during times of strong emotion, just as David once said, I said in my haste, I am cut off (Psalm 31:22 ). When God helps us win over our struggles, it is good to remember our battles with doubt and sadness. v. 14 : Jeremiah says, Cursed be the day wherein I was born (Jeremiah 20:14 ). He feels so overwhelmed by trouble that he wishes he had never been born. He thinks his birthday was the start of all his pain and misery. Like Job, who in his sorrow wished the same thing (Job 3:1 ), Jeremiah speaks out of deep hurt, not reason. While Judas might wish he had never been born (Matthew 26:24 ), people on earth should not, because there is always hope that God may show mercy. Jeremiah’s words show how strong his feelings are—he cannot celebrate his birthday, but instead, he remembers it with sadness.

‏ Jeremiah 20:14

The Prophet's Impatient Appeal

In this section, Jeremiah shares some of his most difficult feelings. After praising the Lord in Jeremiah 20:13 ^a,. These verses show the strong inner battle Jeremiah faced while suffering. He records these words to remind himself—and us—of the struggle between faith and despair. By remembering his own weakness, he gives glory to God for helping him overcome and warns others to be careful during times of strong emotion, just as David once said, I said in my haste, I am cut off (Psalm 31:22 ^b). When God helps us win over our struggles, it is good to remember our battles with doubt and sadness.

v. 14: Jeremiah says, Cursed be the day wherein I was born (Jeremiah 20:14 ^c). He feels so overwhelmed by trouble that he wishes he had never been born. He thinks his birthday was the start of all his pain and misery. Like Job, who in his sorrow wished the same thing (Job 3:1 ^d), Jeremiah speaks out of deep hurt, not reason. While Judas might wish he had never been born (Matthew 26:24 ^e), people on earth should not, because there is always hope that God may show mercy. Jeremiah’s words show how strong his feelings are—he cannot celebrate his birthday, but instead, he remembers it with sadness.