Suffering and the portrait of YHWH in Jeremiah: energizing hope in contexts of suffering and pain

• Main Author: Dr. J.T. Igba
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Africajournals 2021-10-01
• Series: Pharos Journal of Theology
• Subjects: jeremiah; suffering; pain; yhwh; persecution; energizing-hope
• Online Access: https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_33_vol_102_2021_nwu.pdf

This paper interrogates the portrait of YHWH that emerges in the face of the pain and suffering of Jeremiah and the covenant people of YHWH. The paper attends to the question through a combination of synchronic and canonical methods in reading the book of Jeremiah. Through a theological analysis and exposition of some key texts, which includes Jeremiah 8:18-9:3 11:18- 12:13; and 32:1-15, this paper demonstrates that the portrait of YHWH that emerges is not a God who watches the suffering of his covenant people helplessly, hardheartedly or dispassionately from without, but is himself grief-stricken in the suffering of his people, so that he might eventually bring suffering to an end and hold all that are complicit accountable. The paper discusses the call of Jeremiah in the light of its connotation of forthcoming suffering and pain and the non-insulation of the prophet and YHWH’s covenant people from the coming suffering. This is followed by an expose on the nature of the suffering of YHWH as portrayed by Jeremiah in his poetry of lament in 8:18-9:3 as well as the vital function of Jeremiah 32 in the suffering of YHWH’s people.