ירמיהו, פרק כ׳, פסוק ח׳

A true prophet often finds himself in a tragic reality where his divine mission isolates him from society and turns him into a target of intense hatred. Instead of his message being received with open ears, his calling demands a heavy personal price, leaving him to face daily suffering and social exclusion. Whenever he opens his mouth to speak, he is forced to shout and raise his voice in distress.

Commentators offer different perspectives on the exact nature of the prophet's loud cry regarding violence and ruin, concepts that point to a severe perversion of justice and physical robbery. One approach explains that this cry reflects the harsh content of his message. Rather than engaging in everyday conversation, the prophet must constantly raise his voice to rebuke the people for their moral corruption. He warns them that physical destruction will soon fall upon them at the hands of an enemy as a direct punishment for their actions [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Conversely, another perspective suggests that the prophet is crying out about the terrible injustice being done to him personally. Whenever he delivers God's message, the public reacts with cruelty, verbal abuse, and physical beatings. In this light, it is the prophet himself who screams out in protest against the violence he endures. He cries out against the endless persecution, humiliation, and physical harm he suffers at their hands, similar to the beatings and imprisonment he previously experienced [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אברבנאל].

The tragic result of this dynamic is that the word of God transforms into a source of constant disgrace and mockery for the prophet. Because the people view him as an antagonist who only exposes their flaws, he absorbs endless contempt. He is reduced to a laughingstock, subjected to deep disrespect, and branded with derogatory names [מלבי״ם, מצודת ציון, רד״ק]. Ultimately, his profound spiritual mission only guarantees him a reality of ongoing social humiliation.