Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 20 - Verse 2

During this moment in the book of Jeremiah, we witness the persecution of the prophet by a man named Pashur. Pashur, a priest and chief officer in the house of the Lord, was angered by Jeremiah's prophecies of destruction and captivity for Judah. As a result, he beat Jeremiah and placed him in the stocks at the high gate of Benjamin, a public place near the temple. This act of physical punishment was meant to publicly shame and humiliate Jeremiah for speaking the truth of God's impending judgment upon the people. By placing him in the stocks, Pashur sought to silence Jeremiah's warnings and discredit his prophetic message. However, this harsh treatment did not deter Jeremiah from proclaiming the word of the Lord. Instead, it boldly demonstrated his unwavering commitment to his calling as a prophet, even in the face of persecution and opposition.

From a theological perspective, the actions of Pashur towards Jeremiah the prophet in this verse highlight the struggles that prophets often face when delivering messages that are not well received. Pashur's decision to physically harm Jeremiah and put him in the stocks demonstrates the rejection and persecution that prophets can face for speaking the truth. This incident serves as a reminder that following God's call to declare His truth can come with great personal cost. It also speaks to the theme of opposition and resistance towards those who are faithful in fulfilling their prophetic duties.

Furthermore, the location mentioned in the verse, the high gate of Benjamin by the house of the Lord, underscores the significance of this event occurring near the house of the Lord. It symbolizes the discord between the religious authorities of the time and the prophetic message delivered by Jeremiah. The fact that Pashur carried out his actions in such a prominent location adds to the gravity of the situation and emphasizes the tension between the establishment and those who seek to faithfully represent God's word.