Definition: Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this very poetic and somewhat mysterious verse from Jeremiah 20:18. It's a really unique way of expressing a deep sadness and feeling of being overwhelmed. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about a prophet named Jeremiah feeling incredibly burdened by a terrible situation – his own suffering and the suffering of others. He felt like he was being born into pain and hardship, and that this pain would last forever. It's almost like he’s experiencing a painful birth process. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Wherefore came I forth…” : This means "Why did I come out?" It’s a question of origin – why is this happening? “…out of the womb to see labor and sorrow…” : This is the core of the verse. Jeremiah was born into a time of immense suffering, like famine, war, and injustice. He wasn't just born; he experienced hardship and pain. “Labor” refers to the difficult work of rebuilding after devastation – the effort of restoring a broken land. "Sorrow" is the deep sadness and grief that comes from these hardships. “…that my days should be consumed with shame?” : This is the crucial part. Jeremiah felt like his entire life would be marked by shame and humiliation because he was witnessing so much suffering. “Consumed” means completely filled or overwhelmed – his life would be entirely dominated by this pain. What does it mean practically? It’s a powerful expression of: A heavy burden: Jeremiah felt like he carried the weight of the world's problems on his shoulders. A sense of hopelessness: He wasn’t seeing a way out of the suffering, and it seemed to last forever. An overwhelming feeling of guilt or responsibility: He may have been feeling responsible for the pain happening around him – perhaps because he was witnessing injustice. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a profound expression of Jeremiah’s spiritual distress. It's not necessarily about him being directly responsible for the suffering, but rather that he felt deeply connected to it and couldn’t escape it. --- In short, this verse paints a picture of a prophet experiencing an incredibly painful birth – a birth into a world of immense hardship and feeling utterly consumed by shame. Do you want me to: Explain another Bible passage? Discuss the context of Jeremiah’s time?