Reading the Book of Jeremiah, one might think there is no profit for a prophet. God called Jeremiah to prophesy about the disaster and destruction that were to come upon Judah. The Jews were facing inevitable judgment due to their unfaithfulness — their immorality and idolatry. They had turned their backs on God and were facing 70 years of Babylonian captivity. He had brought them out of Egypt to a land “flowing with milk and honey” and had protected them against their enemies. What more could He have done to express His love for them?
This was a big assignment for Jeremiah. He loved his fellow countrymen; he wept for them day and night (Jer. 9:1). It brought him great sorrow to see what was facing them. Still, because he loved God more, he chose to carry out His commands. Jeremiah reminded them of God’s willingness to forgive and restore them if they denounced their gods and returned to Him. God had warned them repeatedly, saying “‘Obey me.’ But they did not listen or pay attention” (Jer. 11:7-8 NIV1984).
Jeremiah suffered much at the hands of the Jews. His family and friends turned against him (Jer. 9:4-6; 20:10). He complained, “O Lord, you deceived me, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long. But if I say, ‘I will not mention him or speak any more of his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot” (Jer. 20:7-9). He went on to say, “Cursed be the day I was born… Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?” (vs. 14-18). It seems there was no profit for this faithful prophet, right? No wonder he wished for a place to stay in the desert to escape these unfaithful people.
There were plots to kill Jeremiah, but God intervened every time (Jer. 11:18; 26:7-23). He was beaten and placed in stocks (20:2). He was imprisoned and thrown into a cistern to die. God did not allow his life to be taken; He watched over him as He promised.
After the Babylonians invaded and brought terrible destruction to Jerusalem, King Nebuchadnezzar showed sympathy towards Jeremiah. He not only ordered no harm come to him, but also offered him a choice between going to Babylon or staying with his own people. He was released from his chains, given a gift (nothing major, probably) and sent to live among those who were left behind. So, yes, in the end, God saw that Jeremiah did profit, but not by worldly standards. One day, he will hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Though countless Christians never experience any profit here on earth, those who faithfully proclaim God’s Word and endure suffering — even unto death — will hear those same words. The world is not worthy of such people.
Today, “so-called prophets” don’t suffer for the gospel’s sake. Their prosperity message instead “blesses” them with extravagant homes, expensive cars, elaborate vacations and anything else they desire — at the expense of their misled followers. Their profit is self-made; they will receive no reward from God. “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matt. 16:26).
