Jeremiah 20
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Listen. There once was a man. His name was Jeremiah. God had told him something. Something important.
Jeremiah had to say hard words. He had to tell the people: "Watch out! You are doing wrong things!" Jeremiah went to the temple. That was God's big house. And he said the words out loud.
But oh, the people did not like it. One man got very angry. His name was Pashhur. Pashhur grabbed Jeremiah. Bang! He hit him. Then he put Jeremiah in a wooden lock. Jeremiah's hands and feet were stuck. He could not move. He had to stay there all night. It was cold. It was dark. Jeremiah cried.
The next morning Pashhur let him go. But Jeremiah was so sad. So very sad.
He said to God: "God, why? I did what You asked. Now everyone laughs at me. Everyone is mean to me. I do not want to talk anymore."
But then, deep inside Jeremiah, there was a fire. A warm fire. It was God's word. And that word wanted to come out. Jeremiah could not keep it in. He had to talk about God, even when it was hard.
What Does This Mean?
Jeremiah was brave. And also a little bit sad. Both at the same time. He told God everything he felt. Really everything. And God listened.
God did not say: "Hush now, Jeremiah, do not cry." No. God let him cry. God stayed close.
The Common Thread
Later, another Man came. His name was Jesus. Jesus also said God's words. And people were mean to Jesus too. They also grabbed Him. They also hurt Him.
But Jesus loved the people so much. He kept going. He is God's biggest Word. Jesus knows exactly how Jeremiah felt. And Jesus knows how you feel too. Always.
For You
Do you ever feel sad? Because someone said something mean? Or because you had to do something hard?
Then you may do what Jeremiah did. You may tell God everything. Really everything. You may even cry. God is not scared of your tears. God holds you tight, just like Daddy or Mommy hold you tight.
And God says: I love you. I hear you. I stay with you.
Talk About It
When were you sad this week? What happened?
Did you know you can tell God everything? What would you like to tell Him?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You always listen. When I am happy. And when I am sad. Thank You for Jeremiah. Thank You for Jesus. Please hold me tight.
Amen.
Questions about Jeremiah 20
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Jeremiah 20 about?
What does Jeremiah 20 say?
What does Jeremiah 20 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Jeremiah 20?
Why is Jeremiah 20 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Jeremiah wants the man who announced his birth treated like Sodom: "Let him hear a cry in the morning, and shouting at noontime." Brutal words. And they sit just three verses after "Sing to Yahweh! Praise Yahweh." God did not edit out the collapse. Your worst day is not too dark to belong in His book.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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