JEREMIAH 16

2 Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters in this place.

Jeremiah found himself isolated

Much contention may stir up such feeling as to defeat its own purpose. But a silent, consistent, public course of action is a continual reminder that may eventually provoke sober thought, and accomplish good. God often used the personal lives of the prophets in this way - living examples and object lessons.

Like Jeremiah, God's people today are required to manifest a striking difference in their lives from the surrounding world, so that they will be unmistakable beacon-lights of Truth.

Jeremiah was forbidden by God to marry. To the natural mind it may seem hard and unfair to impose this restriction on a faithful man through no fault of his own, but wisdom will realize that all pleasures and comforts are from God and He will surely see that none of His obedient servants will ever lose out because of their obedience.

There was no fatted calf in Jeremiah's life to make merry with his friends, but he was among that few who live close to God and of whom it is transcendently true that 

"Thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine." 

There was a deeper and more satisfying bond between Jeremiah and God than could ever be conceived of in the natural relationships of human beings.

Bro Growcott - BYT 4.17.