JEREMIAH 16

JEREMIAH INSTRUCTED NOT TO MARRY OR HAVE CHILDREN 

Because there will soon be great suffering and devastation in Judah, God tells Jeremiah not to marry or have children. Although this sounds harsh, God does not want Jeremiah to have loved ones facing the destruction that would occur during his lifetime. Often, God’s prophets will experience loneliness, rejection, and hardship so that they are able to understand what God is feeling towards His people.

When the people of Judah question the reason for their demise, Jeremiah tells them that the source of their misery is from forsaking God and worshiping idols. Although the Israelites will be exiled because of their rebellion, God will redeem their situation and bring them back. Similar to God’s rescue of the Israelites from Egypt, God plans to eventually restore and rebuild Jerusalem for His glory.