Jeremiah’s Performance Review
by
Jim Martin
The River Church Community
Sunday, November 18th, 2007
The River Church Community
ACT I
Scene 1
The intro has to set up that the book of Jeremiah
and this story arc in the OT are all about God
trying to warn his people that if they don’t
change their ways, the Babylonians are coming
conquer them and that they should understand this
as God’s discipline.
NEWSCASTER #1
(spot light comes up on extreme stage
right silhouetting the figure of a
newscaster behind an anchor desk. The
following text is read just as if it is
current news.)
Here now the news for this Sunday, November 18th, 600
BC. Much of the land of Israel awoke this morning to
the sounds of saber rattling. It seems that King
Nebuchadnezzar is once again firing up his powerful
Babylonian war machine. To the North of the land there
is a growing fear that Israel may be the next in a
growing line of conquests made by that nation.
Self-styled "prophet" Jeremiah referred to the
Babylonian troop movements as a "boiling cauldron to
the north" in a fiery public address given yesterday.
When asked directly about the threat Babylon posed,
Jeremiah issued a strong warning reiterating his costly
view that God is not pleased with Israel and that the
Babylonian threat could be seen as God’s discipline of
his people coming at the end of a long, long line of
clear warnings. Priests at the Temple of the Lord did
not offer comment on the current Babylonian threat.
NEWSCASTER #2
(spot light comes up on extreme stage
left silhouetting the figure of a
newscaster behind an anchor desk. The
following text is read just as if it is
current news.)
There were several unconfirmed reports of another
ritual child sacrifice last night in Jerusalem. The
practice of child sacrifice, declared abominable,
idolatrous and illegal under the reforms of King
Josiah, was believed to have been eradicated. But a
growing number of reports have left some wondering how
much has really changed in Israel. Some have gone so
far as to suggest that the Josiahs’s well-intentioned
reforms have only penetrated to skin-deepth and that
pealing back the thin veneer of reform in Israel
reveals rampant idolatry, pagan practice, blatant
disregard for the widow, the fatherless and the alien
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.
NEWSCASTER #2 (cont’d)
and even the spilling of innocent blood. Others claim
that this pessimistic view is really nothing more than
the work of doomsday prophet Jeremiah.
NEWSCASTER #1
(back to stage right)
In an official press release this morning, the office
of the Temple of the Lord stated emphatically that the
claims of child sacrifice anywhere in Israel are
unsubstantiated. Priest and Chief Officer of the
Temple, Pashhur, stated that the Temple would be
conducting its own investigation, but that it did not
expect these wild accusations to hold up to scrutiny.
Pashhur went on to say that his office has been
tracking child-sacrifice statistics and is in a
position to assure the nation that there has been a
marked decrease in the abominable practice. When
pressed for more detail Pashhur was reluctant to
clarify further.
NEWSCASTER #2
(back to stage left)
In related Temple news today, Temple leadership
threatened publicly to censure the enigmatic Jeremiah -
sometimes referred to the weeping prophet. Pashhur
stated with some regret that Jeremiah had been
"unresponsive" to directives coming from the Temple.
"He’s been instructed repeatedly to tone down his
rhetoric," Pashhur commented, "He flatly refuses to do
it. I will have to warn him in no uncertain terms that
there will be consequences." Jeremiah could not be
reached for comment. Eye-witnesses last report seeing
him walking resolutely toward Jerusalem carrying a
large pot.
The secne occurs in Pashhur’s office. There is a
large desk with a comfortable office chair for
Passhur. It is a well-appointed space that speaks
of wealth and power in good taste and moderation.
Opposite the desk there is a small folding chair.
This is where Jeremiah will sit for his review.
The scene reinforces the power dynamic between the
two characters. Pashhur sees the corralling of
this loose cannon Jeremiah as beneath his dignity
as the Chief Officer of the House of the Lord.
Pashhur has the full weight and authority of the
Temple structure behind him; Jeremiah is little
more than a nuisance to him. Jeremiah, on the
other hand, has only what he has always had: the
words of God burning on his tongue and the images
of God burning in his mind.
(before the lights come up, the
following text rolls up the screen)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.
Jeremiah 19:1-5
Thus said the LORD: Go and buy a potter’s
earthenware jug. Take with you some of the elders
of the people and some of the senior priests, and
go out to the valley of the son of Hinnom at the
entry of the Potsherd Gate, and proclaim there the
words that I tell you. You shall say: Hear the
word of the LORD, O kings of Judah and inhabitants
of Jerusalem. Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God
of Israel: I am going to bring such disaster upon
this place that the ears of everyone who hears of
it will tingle. Because the people have forsaken
me, and have profaned this place by making
offerings in it to other gods whom neither they
nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah have
known; and because they have filled this place
with the blood of the innocent, and gone on
building the high places of Baal to burn their
children in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal,
which I did not command or decree, nor did it
enter my mind...
...so Jeremiah set out to buy the jug and to
collect the senior priests in order to take them
to the Potsherd Gate and deliver to them the
message of the Lord. Before this could happen,
however, he was called in to the office of the
Chief Temple Officer, for it was the time of year
for annual performance reviews and Pashhur, being
the Chief Temple Officer was Jeremiah’s
supervisor.
Stage lights come up on Pashhur who is silhouetted
- or shadowed behind a white screen. He begins to
shuffle papers on his desk with an air of somewhat
distracted preparation for his next meeting.
PASHHUR
(...sorting some manila file folders)
Let’s see... Manasseh... Amon... Ezra... ah, here we
are Jeremiah.
he opens the thickest file folder of them all and
begins to peruse
hmmm... umm hummm... ah yes... oh no... no, no, no...
A knock at the door interrupts Pashhur’s review of
the file.
(distractedly...)
Come in.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 4.
Jeremiah enters quiet but confident. His clothes
are simple and understated. He’s carrying an
earthenware pot the size of a large vase.
(Standing)
Good morning, Jeremiah. Thanks for coming in today.
Jeremiah takes a few steps in to the room and
stands, somewhat awkwardly - but without appearing
timid.
At the outset of this review, I want to acknowledge the
...tension that has existed between us. Obviously I
have not asked for it, I have not contributed to it in
fact, I have tolerated quite a few rebuffs from you and
kept my composure. And yet, there is this tension -
animosity even. And now we find ourselves in this
predicament. Here I am conducting your annual review...
(Said with the effect of a hungry
predator licking its chops)
A lesser man, Jeremiah, a lesser man might see this as
an opportunity to settle a score. I want you to know
that I do not. As much as I, as much as this office has
been the target of your invective. I bear you no
grudge. I simply want to do what is best for the Temple
of the Lord.
So, please, make yourself comfortable.
Pashhur gestures toward and Jeremiah sits in the
folding chair. Jeremiah does not speak yet, but
waits for Pashhur to continue.
PASHHUR
(After a slight awkward pause in which
he waits for Jeremiah to speak - to
respond in some way, Pashhur sits and
begins.)
Ah... well then... If you are ready I’ll begin by
reviewing the general state of things.
I know that you are aware of my three-point temple plan
as I’ve outlined it to you in the past:
(Pashhur savors the words as they appear
on screen in an elaborate font)
Peace through Preaching, Comfort through Community and
Serenity through Supplication.
All of this fits under our new watch-word:
shalominescence
(word appears on screen under
three-point-plan)
- Which, of course, is a new word I’ve coined that
speaks to the luminescent quality of peace - shalom -
that radiates from the Temple of the Lord - and from
his people. It’s really catching on around here.
(Gathering himself and shifting toward a
more preachy voice...)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.
PASHHUR (cont’d)
Because, Jeremiah, we are living through a time of
great reform... When I was a young man in the last days
of Manasseh’s reign, no one would have thought that
such amazing reform would have been possible. Do you
remember? Do you remember those days? "On every side
the wicked prowled as vileness was exalted among
humankind."
(Pashhur recites this scripture
reverently - but it rings a little
false. Psalm 12:8 appears on screen)
But God saw fit to bring back the law in Israel and to
provide us a righteous ruler in King Josiah. Who would
have thought that such a young ruler would have been so
sensitive to the voice of the Lord. Gone are the days -
gone, Jeremiah, are the days when temple prostitutes
walked the halls of the house of the Lord plying their
disgusting trade and pawning it off as "worship." In
fact, before I arrived, this very office was used as
housing for those vile creatures. I’ve had it converted
to my office to serve as a symbol to all: the reforms
of Josiah, great King of Israel, have reached as far as
the Temple of the Lord. No more shall there be
prostitution or false worship or false gods or fale
priests of any kind.
(transitioning into full-blown preaching
mode - but sounding somewhat like an
over-used stump-speech)
Yes, Jeremiah, I am presiding over one of the greatest
reforms in our nation’s history. The truth has been
spoken, the people have come back to the temple to
worship the true God. I see these reforms working - I
know how to lead during this time. I know what the
people need to hear.
Pashhur pauses here and looks at Jeremiah
significantly, expecting him to respond. Jeremiah
does not. He simply sits in the folding chair
meeting Pashhur’s gaze. Pashhur clears his throat
and and introduces the first section of the
Performance Evaluation.
PASHHUR
Ahem... Well, as I said, we are here to conduct your
performance review. And as is our custom, this process
will begin with some positive affirmation. As we have
reviewed your work over the past year, there are some
things that we have found to be ...commendable,
laudable. Essentially we want to acknowledge, Jeremiah,
that you show a surprising persistence in your work.
That is to say that you refuse to quit - even when
others might wish that you would. Even when no one
listens to you, even when no one follows you, even when
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.
PASHHUR (cont’d)
you are beaten, even when you are made a laughingstock,
you continue to speak these "words of the Lord" as you
like to call them. While, as I will explain shortly,
this persistence often gets you into trouble, I want
you to know that we see that it has the potential to be
a positive trait of yours.
Let’s see...
shuffling papers within the file
I guess that’s all we have in the way of positive
affirmation. Are there any comments you’d like to make
or shall I just move on into the more constructive
"development opportunity" part of the review?
There is another awkward pause during which
Jeremiah meets the gaze of Pashhur not quite
defiantly, but confidently. Jeremiah does not
speak. Pashhur takes a breath and braces himself
for what is to come.
I am sure it will be no surprise to you, Jeremiah, to
hear that I have some difficult things to say today. I
take no pleasure in it. I simply feel it must be
done. As Chief Temple Officer I must tell you that I
am deeply distressed by your performance. As I say,
Jeremiah, I am presiding over - we are living in - a
time of great reform. Things are getting better, not
worse. And as long as we stick to my
Three-Point-Temple-Plan, we have nothing to fear. So,
in the interest of staff alignment, I have decided that
everyone is being evaluated based on my plan:
Peace through Preaching, Comfort through Community and
Serenity through Supplication.
So, taking these as our evaluation categories, I have
listed the following as development opportunities for
you:
First, your preaching and your leadership are a mess.
No one listens to you and no one follows you. Your
vision is not Peace through Preaching, it’s more like
Disturbance through Discourse or Harassment through
Homily.
Second, you are not a team-player, you are not a can-do
kind of guy. You are a nay-saying loner. You are not
working toward Comfort through Community, what you are
offering is more like irritation through isolation!
Third your personal prayer life is in shambles. You are
the opposite of Serenity through Supplication. You
claim to speak for God and yet you dare to question
Him. You simply cannot have it both ways.
If the Temple of the Lord is really to be about
shalominescence, then we must all pull together and
work as a team. The dogged pursuit of my
three-point-plan will ensure a rising tide of peace and
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.
PASHHUR (cont’d)
prosperity. That’s what people need after the reign of
such evil, a nice dose of peace and prosperity.
Because, Jeremiah, Evil has left the building!
JEREMIAH
(Quietly, but not timidly.)
Getting rid of evil does not make people good.
PASHHUR
(with surprise and mild disdain - as if
he’d forgotten Jeremiah was in the room)
Oh! He speaks! And such pithy words!
(mockingly)
"getting rid of evil does not make people good..." Well
how else do you propose we begin?
The people are back to worship. Crowds are coming back
to the Temple of the Lord - do you know how long it’s
been since we could gather a crowd? There’s a feeling
of momentum building. Now is the time to accentuate the
positive, to stop talking so much about the negative.
We need to measure our message carefully and not feed
the people more than they can take. Things may not be
perfect, but they are so much better than they used to
be. But you don’t seem to be able to look on the bright
side. Honestly to hear you Jeremiah, you’d think
nothing had changed. You’re all gloom and doom. You’re
all boiling cauldrons of destruction to the north and
smashed pottery outside the gate. Listening to you
you’d think no reform had taken place at all! We are on
the verge of something wonderful. Why can’t you just
enjoy it? Peace and prosperity will soon abound. But
you have to stand up in lone opposition to it.
Perhaps I’ve not been clear enough Jeremiah, but I am
not pleased. This performance review could have grave
consequences for you. Are you aware of that?
(No reaction from Jeremiah. Pashhur
shakes his head in disbelief at
Jeremiah’s cluelessness.)
Scene 2
PASHHUR
Perhaps it would help to begin talking about some
specific development opportunities. Let’s begin with
prayer, shall we.
At this suggestion Jeremiah slides off his chair
and kneels over it and begins to pray.
JEREMIAH
(in prayer Jer. 20:7-10 appears on the
screen as he speaks the words)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 8.
JEREMIAH (cont’d)
O LORD, you have enticed me, and I was enticed; you
have overpowered me, and you have prevailed. I have
become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me.
For whenever I speak, I must cry out, I must shout,
"Violence and destruction!" For the word of the LORD
has become for me a reproach and derision all day long.
PASHHUR
...Jeremiah?
(no response)
JEREMIAH
If I say, "I will not mention him, or speak any more in
his name," then within me there is something like a
burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with
holding it in, and I cannot.
PASHHUR
...Jeremiah!
(no response)
JEREMIAH
For I hear many whispering: "Terror is all around!
Denounce him! Let us denounce him!" All my close
friends are watching for me to stumble. "Perhaps he can
be enticed, and we can prevail against him, and take
our revenge on him."
PASHHUR
JEREMIAH!!!
Jeremiah looks up at Pashhur. He sees that he had
misunderstood And sits back in the folding chair.
What do you think you’re doing?
JEREMIAH
I’m praying. I thought it was the best suggestion
you’ve made so far.
PASHHUR
This is neither the time nor the place for prayer! I’m
not sure you understand how serious this is! I’m
talking about the annual review category that deals
with your prayer life.
JEREMIAH
Oh. I see.
PASHHUR
Before today it had been suggested to me that on more
than one occasion you have been heard to argue with
God. At first I thought that a preposterous idea, but
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.
PASHHUR (cont’d)
after the display you just put on, now I’ve seen it
myself! Who do you think you are to argue with God?!?
(exasperated)
You are a leader of the people, for God’s sake. What
are the people to think if they hear their leaders
praying in such a manner? Why in heaven would you pray
a prayer like that?
JEREMIAH
I don’t think I would pray a prayer like that in
heaven.
PASHHUR
Don’t get cute with me. Why would you pray a prayer
like that?
JEREMIAH
Because it’s honest! Because that’s how I am feeling!
That is what I am dealing with! Because this life of
obedience to God is hard - even scary sometimes!
Sometimes I’m not even sure I want to continue. It’s
the very fact of living on earth that makes prayer like
that necessary.
PASHHUR
How is this possible? I, myself, have heard you refer
to the Lord as a "fountain of living water," a
beautiful image. How can you then, out of the same
mouth pray such a prayer as you just did - accusing God
of enticing you, threatening to turn away from him.
This is just this kind of inconsistency and
faithlessness that has prompted me to list this as a
development opportunity for you.
(checking a box on the paper in the
file)
So, Dev. Opp. #1: Jeremiah needs to learn faithfulness
and consistency in prayer. Would you agree - keeping in
mind that you will have to sign a copy of this review
for your personnel file?
JEREMIAH
What is it like when you pray?
PASHHUR
(defensively, then in a more haughty,
preachy tone)
My prayer performance is not being reviewed here!
...But if I were to answer you at all I would say that
when I pray, I pray loudly and confidently - and I
never accuse God or argue with him. It is good for the
people to hear their leaders pray and see that they are
confident.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.
JEREMIAH
And you never argue with God?
PASHHUR
Of course not!
JEREMIAH
How do you manage that?
PASHHUR
In a time of such change, the people need to feel
stable and safe. Public prayer is an excellent occasion
to reassure them - to promote shalominescence. People
should feel comforted by what you say in prayer - not
confused. They should come away feeling as though God
is at their beck and call, ready to provide whatever
they need or want. You really need to be much more
careful. You need to understand that for leaders it’s
not really prayer at all, it’s a form of public service
announcement. People need their leaders to "pray in"
the waves of peace and prosperity.
JEREMIAH
You’re right. That’s not prayer at all. Where is the
weeping over the state of God’s people? Where is the
crying out on behalf of the alien the fatherless and
the widow? Our ancestors had a way of wrestling with
God because prayer is about interacting with the Living
God. If God has promised that He is like a spring of
living water and my skin is so dry it’s starting to
crack - I’m going to talk to him about it. I might even
argue with him about it. That’s the kind of prayer we
see in the psalms.
PASHHUR
I should have known by the way you argue with all the
humans on the planet that you wouldn’t stop there -
that you’d be brazen enough to argue even with God!
JEREMIAH
You mean to tell me you’ve never felt confused by God’s
actions - or inactions?
PASHHUR
No!
JEREMIAH
You’ve never felt compelled to complain or argue about
something God seemed to do - or fail to do?
PASHHUR
No!! If I did, I’d be a doubter or a skeptic - like
you.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.
JEREMIAH
No. I’m a believer.
PASHHUR
How do you figure that?
JEREMIAH
Believers argue with God. Skeptics just argue with each
other.
PASHHUR
What’s that supposed to mean?
JEREMIAH
You’ve been arguing with me from the beginning. I’m not
interested in arguing with you, that doesn’t get us
anywhere. You can - you will - believe whatever you
want about me. And you seem to be willing to believe
whatever you want about God - He’s not angry, there is
no judgment coming for Israel all this despite the
things God has said to the contrary. The skeptic
quibbles over the small stuff with other skeptics. I’m
going to argue this out with God. Is he going to be
true to himself? Is he going to rescue me? Is he going
to rescue his people? Because if he doesn’t come
through we’re doomed. I’m not going to be afraid to ask
- whether anyone else is listening or not! And I’m also
not going to be afraid to tell people what I hear. That
is what prayer is all about.
PASHHUR
(writing something in his file -
struggling to contain himself as
Jeremiah speaks, then finally boiling
over)
You ungrateful little outcast. You presume to teach me
about prayer?? Has your head swollen so much that you
presume to teach the Chief Officer of the Temple of the
Lord? I set the agenda in this office and believe me
there isn’t one item on it that has to do with learning
about prayer from an under-performing nobody like you!
Scene 3
Pashhur squares up the papers on his desk, takes a
deep breath, settles himself in his big chair and
gathers himself for the next attack. He’s
frustrated, but not yet daunted.
PASHHUR
(takes a deep breath, holds it in, then
as he lets it out he intones...)
Shalominescence...
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.
PASHHUR (cont’d)
The next development opportunity I want to talk to you
about has to do with the Comfort through Community part
of my plan. As I’m sure you can imagine, Jeremiah, I’m
running a tight ship here at the Temple. As CTO it is
my responsibility to make sure that we are all working
as a team. The people need to understand that this is a
time of peace. We all need to be on message,
accentuating the positive, encouraging people that
things are going to be OK. Frankly, though, I’m just
not sure you are capable of that. I’m beginning to
wonder about your "fit" for the position.
JEREMIAH
You don’t think it’s obvious that something doesn’t
fit?
PASHHUR
(somewhat surprised)
You agree with me? You don’t think your job is a good
fit?
JEREMIAH
Of course I agree with you. This job is an awkward fit
at best. It chafes in a number of different ways.
PASHHUR
Really?
JEREMIAH
You think I like being the lone voice?
PASHHUR
Well, actually, yes. I thought you did. I didn’t think
you were like other people.
JEREMIAH
You think I enjoy being ostracized? You think it’s fun
being harassed and abused? I don’t do this because it’s
fun. And I’ve been saying from the beginning that I’m
not cut out for this.
PASHHUR
(poised with his pen over his notes
prepared to sign off on "letting
Jeremiah go")
Well, that’s great! Then we are agreed that you should
step down from your position!
JEREMIAH
That’s not what I’m saying.
(Pashhur slumps back in his chair)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 13.
JEREMIAH (cont’d)
From the beginning, when God called me into this mess,
I’ve been saying I’m not cut out for it. I didn’t even
want the role to begin with.
PASHHUR
(somewhat pleading)
Then why don’t you give it up?
JEREMIAH
Because the choice is not mine! God called me. God put
these words in my mouth. God put this fire in my
bones... There are days, believe me, when I want to
take a hot shower and then throw in the towel. Hence
your whole objection to my prayer life. But in the end,
I live to serve God, he is my sovereign.
PASHHUR
You’re making this so much harder than it needs to be.
Where’s the peace, Jeremiah? Where’s the prosperity?
Where’s the Shalominesence?? The truth has been spoken
isn’t that enough for you?
JEREMIAH
No! It is never enough simply to speak the truth. The
truth has to be lived. It is not enough that we believe
what is right. We must also do what is right. That is
what obedience means.
PASHHUR
In some ways I feel sorry for you, Jeremiah. Your
version of religion seems so costly, so inconvenient.
JEREMIAH
And yours seems so inane.
PASHHUR
(with a show of mock patience)
I feel compelled to warn you that further attacks upon
my person or this office could have devastating
consequences for you - far beyond the simple loss of
your position. Would you care to re-word your last
statement.
JEREMIAH
Did I say inane? I meant... worthless. The history of
our people makes it clear that obedience to God is not
a safe endeavor. Religion can be made safe, obedience
to God cannot. It is a white-knuckle ride through a
life of purpose and meaning. Far from the worthless
peace and prosperity you are pedaling.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.
PASHHUR
(leaning back and rubbing his temples)
You just don’t get it, do you? We will get to the end
of this review and it will be by these things that you
will be judged. And beyond that, history, Jeremiah,
will reveal the naked truth.
You know, Jeremiah, I’ve begun a process of chronicling
this great time in our history. Hilkiah’s finding of
the scroll in the Temple, the reading of the word to
King Josiah. With some small reference to my own
leadership in this great reform. It’s really a little
memoir of sorts. I’m thinking of calling it,
Shalominescence. Anyway, I feel compelled to let you
know that you have been mentioned several times - and
not in a positive light.
Jeremiah makes no reply. He simply looks at
Pashhur.
Scene 4
PASHHUR
Perhaps we should just move on to the last section of
the review. This really is the most serious, so let’s
spend a few minutes talking about your preaching. As
you know, the mainstay of my three-point-plan is Peace
through Preaching. And I feel compelled to tell you
quite simply that yours is not up to par - in fact all
of your reviews come back at significantly below
standards in this area.
Now certainly you are not without talent. In fact some
of the images you have come up with are quite beautiful
- the potter’s wheel in particular comes to mind. The
problem is what you have chosen to do with them - the
negative - you’re always focusing on the negative!
I shouldn’t have to remind you again where we’ve come
from. The Israel of our youth was a mess. But there has
been real reform - people are back at worship, the face
of the whole country has changed. The pottery image was
genius!
(speaking more dreamily as his hands act
out the potter on the wheel)
The loving hands of God forming his people, the vessel
that will hold the living water from the fountain -
from God himself (another of your images) It was all
right there... But
(Pashhur’s hands slam down on the desk -
crushing the imaginary pot)
No!! You crush the pot! You crush the pot! You had to
use that beautiful image to weave your tale of terror.
Crushed! You are all warning and no hope!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 15.
JEREMIAH
(beginning to be exasperated)
How could you not see the potter’s wheel as a hopeful
image?!? Yes God is issuing us a warning, but clearly
he is saying that he does not throw away what is
spoiled, he remakes it!! God is longing to remake his
people. No matter what they’ve done; no matter what’s
been done to them.
It may be true, as you say, that the whole face of the
country has changed, but God is interested in the
transformation of our deceitful hearts as well.
PASHHUR
Destroy... Remake... it’s all the same. How could God
do that to us? We are the apple of his eye! We are His.
If you had your way, you’d have us believing that all
of Jerusalem would come tumbling down in a matter of
months! Can you really believe that? After all the
scriptures have to say about this beautiful city? It
just is not going to happen. You can’t be stuffing that
kind of message down people’s throats. They can’t take
it. You are terrorizing them!
JEREMIAH
(temperature rising)
Preaching about what people need to eat, not about what
they are willing to swallow! It is precisely because of
people like you that we are in such a mess. You call me
a terror, but you are the one terrorizing the people.
You know there is danger all around but you refuse to
warn the people. In the name peace through preaching
you preside over a reign of terror! The people are in
danger, they are in dire need of transformation at
every level. And yet you offer them drivel.
PASHHUR
Do you presume to give me a lesson in preaching?!?
JEREMIAH
Expecting people to hear your preaching and be
transformed is like expecting them to get drunk on skim
milk! God’s punishment is coming because of our
willingness to bow down to almost any other god that
offers - because of our consistent lack of concern for
the alien, the fatherless and the widow - because the
blood of the innocents is on our hands. God’s
discipline will force us to give up our silly little
self-focused lives and begin to deal with what really
matters: life, death, God, humanity, faith, obedience.
PASHHUR
(While Jeremiah is talking, Pashhur
somewhat elaborately fakes a yawn)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 16.
JEREMIAH
If God does not have your attention yet, Pashhur, he
will get it soon. His discipline will break down your
utter lack of compassion. His discipline will break the
rigid structures of your fake religion.
PASHHUR
So that’s it. You believe that in the end, this great
nation will simply be overcome by evil... That I will
be overcome by evil?!?
JEREMIAH
Don’t you see, in God’s hands, even evil itself becomes
fuel for the furnace of transformation. Like the
potter’s wheel: God longs to remake his people. He even
wants to remake you, Pashhur. But there will come a
time when smashing pottery is the only option you leave
him.
PASHHUR
You know, all my advisers said it was folly but I began
this interview with the slight hope that we could find
some common ground. Some neutral place upon which to
meet.
JEREMIAH
There is no neutral ground! God is for life against
death, love against hate, hope against despair,
restoration against decay. Every square foot of this
earth is contested space. There is no neutral ground,
God will not give in! You must give up your pursuit of
this fake feel-good religion. You must come over to
God’s side.
PASHHUR
(seething)
I must warn you that this interview is over. Any more
you say you say at your own peril.
JEREMIAH
(Jer. 20:3-4 appears on the screen.
Jeremiah says)
I have one more thing to say to you:
The LORD has named you not Pashhur but
“Terror-all-around.”
PASHHUR
(trying to shut Jeremiah up)
Jeremiah!
JEREMIAH
(standing in confrontation)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 17.
JEREMIAH (cont’d)
For thus says the LORD: I am making you a terror to
yourself and to all your friends; and they shall fall
by the sword of their enemies while you look on.
PASHHUR
(standing)
JEREMIAH!!
JEREMIAH
(yelling)
And I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of
Babylon; he shall carry them captive to Babylon, and
shall kill them with the sword.
PASHHUR
SILENCE!
Pashhur yells in rage and raises his hand to
strike Jeremiah across the desk. Before he does,
the lights go out and the following words begin to
scroll up the screen in silence:
Jeremiah 19:10-11
...Jer. 19:10 Then you shall break the jug in
the sight of those who go with you, and shall say
to them: Thus says the LORD of hosts: So will I
break this people and this city, as one breaks a
potter’s vessel, so that it can never be mended.
In Topheth they shall bury until there is no more
room to bury.
(Still in complete darkness, the jug
Jeremiah was holding is smashed on the
stage.)
Jeremiah 20:1-2
Now the priest Pashhur son of Immer, who was chief
officer in the house of the LORD, heard Jeremiah
prophesying these things. Then Pashhur struck the
prophet Jeremiah, and put him in the stocks that
were in the upper Benjamin Gate of the house of
the LORD.
Not long after this, Jerusalem - which continued
to turn a deaf ear to God, to ignore the alien,
the fatherless and the widow and to fall down and
worship other gods - did indeed fall to Babylon.
The consequences were devastating. All the Words
that God spoke through Jeremiah were
continually fulfilled as God continued the work
of transforming his people and bringing them back
to himself.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 18.
Pashhur may indeed have written his memoir. We do
not know. Jeremiah, however, would survive
Pashhur’s attack and go on two write two volumes
included in the best-selling book of all time.
Ironically the only reason Pashhur’s name survives
is that Jeremiah saw fit to make slight reference
to him.
Transition to Worship
