Where Have All The “Weeping Prophets” Gone?

Jeremiah, the prophet of God, has the distinction of being dubbed, “The Weeping Prophet.” The reason for such a designation is because Jeremiah prophesied during some very sad times. God had shown Jeremiah what was about to happen to Judah because of their disobedience, and it was disturbing. In fact, Jeremiah pictured God’s impending judgment upon his people as “death climbing through a window to take away the inhabitants of the house” (Jeremiah 9:21). What God showed Jeremiah was so disturbing that Jeremiah said, “Oh, that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night…” (Jeremiah 9:1). In short, Jeremiah wept because of sin and its consequences.
The question I keep asking myself today is, “Where have all the weeping prophets gone?” Oh, I still hear and read a lot of condemnation of sin, but I see no tears accompanying the condemnations. I get on social media and see how loudly and widely some condemn others for a variety of matters, yet I see no tears.
I loved the late James Meadows and Tom Holland. These men loved the truth and opposed error. Yet, when they opposed error, on numerous occasions, I saw them weep. They didn’t just condemn error; they were heartbroken due to the consequences of error.
This is the kind of preaching we need today. I grow weary of the harsh, vitriolic, sarcastic condemnation offered up by some brethren. I grow tired of the “one-upmanship” I see in religious discussions. I grow weary of truth and error being treated as a mere battle of wits or a game of “gotcha.”
Brethren, we don’t need preachers who thrive on conflict and who seem to take pleasure in exposing flaws. We need more “weeping prophets;” men who resolutely stand for the truth, oppose error, but who are also heartbroken by the consequences of sin.
If you’re looking for a role model, don’t settle on the loudest voice condemning sin, rather, find someone who loves the truth, hates sin, and is broken by the consequences of sin. That’s the person who will help direct you to the heart of God.