NOTES for Jer 20:1-18
Before us is an important testimony from the prophet about himself, through which we can touch how he experiences his ministry from within, what a person overfilled with revelation goes through. We see that Jeremiah says not what he would like to say: the words that mysteriously come to him do not always correspond to how, according to his human understanding, he understands the situation. But he is powerless to hold back the stream of revelation, and even when Jeremiah tries to keep silent, the prophecy proves stronger than customary conventions and breaks them as easily as a powerful typhoon crushes dams that had seemed strong.
But faithfulness to the Lord and readiness to become His mouth give the prophet authority: not the authority possessed by earthly kings and other rulers, but the authority that makes it possible to remain inwardly free even in chains. Yes, Jeremiah speaks with authority, even if none of the people acknowledge it: the very fact that after his release Jeremiah gives a new name to the priest who punished him is a sign of authority, since the right to give a name always belonged to the master. But this authority is not human in character: it is the consequence of sharing in the Source of truth.