This is perhaps my favorite painting of all time. It is Rembrandt’s take on Jeremiah – “the weeping prophet” lamenting while Jerusalem burns in the background. It is most poignant.

In the opening chapter of the book of Jeremiah, we’re given sufficient biographical info on Jeremiah and his historical context to make good sense of the rest of the book. And I always wonder if I were Jeremiah, whether or not I would have ventured on any ministry endeavors given the warning he’s given at the outset. Basically, he was told he would speak for the Lord, but no one would listen. And they didn’t. To their destruction and Jermiah’s misery.

Alos included is the following commission: Jeremiah 1:9–10 (BSB) — “Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant.”

Wow! There is so much here. Let me tease out just one observation. The Lord’s words to Jeremiah here, carry deep import for ministry in all generations.

Many are the ministers and ministries that want only one half of our commission in declaring God’s Word.

Some, imagine the declaration of divine truth is primarily or solely in plucking up, breaking down, destroying and overthrowing. That it is judgment and judgment only. Their own sinfulness is drawn to this necessary aspect, and then they go on to imagine it is wrapped up in the condemnation of all sorts of people and things.

Others, imagine the dissemination of God’s Word to be located in building and planting alone. They so love consoling and bring men joy, they run from any of the hard and negative work which must often be done. They only want to heal, but never to righteously wound.

Balanced Biblical ministry requires both. Challenging sin and wrong belief systems with a deliberate eye toward their destruction, and the preaching of peace in Christ to the saving of souls.

We, like Jeremiah here, are not given the privilege to choose which of these two we will do – we are commissioned to do both. Those laboring in God’s fields need to know how to break up hard ground, violently plow it, and attack and pluck up weeds and other dangerous enemies absent remorse, as well as to plant, water, nurture, prune and bring to fruitfulness.

As the Apostle Paul would say it later – 2 Cor. 2:15–16 (ESV) — “we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.”

No wonder he must add: “Who is sufficient for these things?”

Only in Christ, by the power of His Spirit. May we look to and rest in Him alone.