The Kitchen Sink
An occasional piece of paper
January 28, 2007
Vol. 10 no. 04

Everything But...
           Garrison Keillor, raconteur par excellence of Lake Wobegon, Minnesota, usually airs one spoof commercial on the weekly radio program "A Prairie Home Companion" about the program’s major sponsor, “Powder Milk Biscuits,” targeted for shy people so that they have “the strength to get up and do what needs to be done.”
           Jeremiah didn’t have any Powder Milk Biscuits handy in the late 7th century B. C. It appears he was shy, fairly young, and needed some help to get going and do what needed to be done on God’s request. His shyness did not last that long, as Jeremiah launched into one prophetic condemnation after another of the sad state of social justice and authentic devotion to God in Israel. There is a word for it in the dictionary - “jeremiad” - “A tale of sorrow, disappointment, or complaint; also, a dolorous or angry tirade.”
           Jeremiah was not sure what he was saying was right or that it made sense. Speaking for God, of course, makes no sense to someone who knows his or her own mind. Yet, it is all too easy for you and me to ignore God if no one else says a word. So, the most daring act of a human being is to speak out loud the words God has put in your mouth. It doesn’t have to be a loud or impressive voice - Jeremiah was perhaps a teenager, and some think he might have had speech difficulties. When the Word becomes flesh it has a habit of grabbing your flesh, no matter what your qualifications.
           Moses did have a speech impediment - his brother Aaron was actually the voice that spoke to Pharaoh and the Israelites. Paul was no pretty face. Jeremiah had a way of getting people angry. No need for a jeremiad - just say what God has on her mind. It will be worth hearing.