Approbation of the world or of Christ ?

"Then was fulfilled what was said by the prophet Jeremiah." Matthew 27. 9

What image is the world of a successful person ? Is it not that of an entrepreneur who motivates his employees and moves things forward, from a team captain who sets an example and listens to an artist we admire and copy ... ? According to the standards of the world, success is guaranteed to one who possesses one or the other of these qualities.

Jeremiah had none of these qualities, although God chose him and prepared him as a prophet. He was neither listened nor admired. On the contrary, it was ignored, rejected, threatened, mistreated, imprisoned and even deported. When he asks the Jews from God to go to the Chaldeans, he is accused of discouraging the people. Judged by the applause of the world, Jeremiah was a true "loser." Yet Jeremiah has always faithfully reported the words of God, in spite of calumny and persecution.

The "faithfulness" of a prophet is not measured according to the norms of the world, but according to God's standards. How did God justify his prophet in whom the world could see a "loser"?  By the fulfillment of his prophecies !

1. Daniel, in studying the book of Jeremiah in particular, understands that the captivity of seventy years announced by the prophet comes to an end (Dan. 9: 2).

2. When the seventy years have passed, the Lord acts on the mind of Cyrus to give the order to rebuild the temple of Jerusalem so that "the word of the Lord will be spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah" is accomplished (Ephesians 1: 1).

3. On the occasion of the massacre of the children at Bethlehem, Matthew said : "Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet" (Matt 2:17, 18, see Jer. Matthew acknowledges in this event that the prophet was the mouth of God.

4. If Judas betrays the Lord for thirty pieces of silver and throws them into the temple before committing suicide, Matthew says : "Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet" (Matt 27: 9-10 , see Z. 11, 12, 13).

Surely, the Lord's reception of his faithful slaves applies to Jeremiah : "Well, good and faithful slave ... enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:23). And for those who know the Lord, there is no greater satisfaction than his approval.

Source (To pleasing the Lord)