Everyone knows the catchy tune, “Jeremiah was a Bullfrog.” It’s almost guaranteed you can belt out the first verse and chorus without a second thought. This iconic song, a staple at gatherings and backyard parties, bursts onto the scene with Three Dog Night’s unforgettable opening:
“Jeremiah was a bullfrog / Was a good friend of mine / I never understood a single word he said / But I helped him drink his wine / And he always had some mighty fine wine.”
Then, the chorus explodes with infectious optimism:
“Joy to the world, all the boys and girls / Joy to the fishies in the deep blue sea / Joy to you and me.”
It’s undeniably a feel-good anthem, radiating joy, celebrating good times, and possessing an irresistible rhythm that gets everyone tapping their feet. It’s simply a great song.
But have you ever paused to ponder those opening lines, “Jeremiah was a bullfrog?” You’re not alone. Many have wondered about the origins of this peculiar lyric and its connection, if any, to anything deeper. While the song’s whimsical nature might suggest pure nonsense, there’s a fascinating legend that hints at a more profound, albeit playfully disguised, meaning behind the “Jeremiah Bullfrog Song.”
The whisper of legend suggests that the original lyrics weren’t always about a bullfrog. Rumor has it that the song initially began with the lines, “Jeremiah was a prophet / Was a good friend of mine,” continuing with the rest of the familiar verse.
Alt text: Three Dog Night band members performing live on stage, capturing the energy of the “Jeremiah Bullfrog Song”.
If we consider Jeremiah as a prophet, the opening verse takes on a completely new dimension. The biblical prophet Jeremiah was known for his complex and often cryptic pronouncements. His words were rarely easily understood, and his prophecies could be challenging to interpret. Furthermore, wine held symbolic significance in Jeremiah’s prophecies, and its consumption was often associated with his messages. It’s not a stretch to imagine that the wine Jeremiah used, even symbolically, was considered “mighty fine.”
This interpretation casts the first verse in a more meaningful light. “Jeremiah was a prophet” aligns perfectly with the idea of a misunderstood yet respected figure, a friend whose message, though enigmatic, holds value. And then, the chorus erupts – “Joy to the world, all the boys and girls…” – a sentiment that resonates powerfully with the message found in scripture, specifically Jeremiah 31:10-14. This passage, much like the song, speaks of joy, celebration, and abundance, a divine invitation to rejoice.
Let’s delve into the scripture from Jeremiah 31:10-14:
It’s a declaration of celebration! “They shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD, over the grain, the wine, the oil, and over the young of the flock of the herd.” This verse paints a picture of divine provision and abundance, where people will feast on bread, wine, olive oil, and lamb. God, through Jeremiah, is proclaiming a time for joy, a moment to release burdens, to celebrate with feasting and wine, and to revel in life’s goodness. The passage begins with a powerful call: “Hear the word of the LORD, O nations!” It’s a universal invitation from the divine to partake in joy and merriment.
This invitation, extended through scripture, reaches us even today. It beckons us to embrace joy and celebration. Many find joy in gatherings, in parties with friends, often accompanied by wine or other celebratory drinks. However, for some, particularly within the Christian faith, the idea of drinking wine and partying can raise questions and even concerns.
Is enjoying wine, like in the spirit of the “Jeremiah bullfrog song,” or participating in the joyous feast described in Jeremiah, considered sinful? This is a relevant question, especially considering that the book of Jeremiah itself contains significant pronouncements about sin and its consequences.
The scripture we’re examining, however, comes from the “book of consolation” within Jeremiah, a section dedicated to comfort and hope. It stands in stark contrast to the majority of Jeremiah’s prophecy, which is often characterized by messages of doom and gloom. Most of Jeremiah’s prophecies could be summarized with a stark warning: “You are a sinful people, and you’re going to suffer and die.”
Perhaps this very contrast is why the song lyrics include, “I never understood a single word he said.” The people of Jeremiah’s time might have preferred to ignore the prophet’s harsh pronouncements, the unsettling message that “you are a sinful people and you’re going to suffer and die” being a difficult truth to accept.
Jeremiah’s prophecy extensively details the sins of the people. He points to their disregard for the suffering of others, especially the poor and marginalized, as the wealthy and powerful were engrossed in their own pursuits. He condemns their mistreatment and enslavement of foreigners, a direct violation of the law to welcome strangers. He criticizes the leaders for maintaining a large and costly army, defying the law against standing armies. These were not just individual failings but systemic, societal sins that permeated the culture.
The consequence of these pervasive sins, as Jeremiah foretold, was suffering and destruction at the hands of the Babylonians. The people were exiled, leaders were taken captive, and many perished. This period of exile brought them to a point of repentance, a situation mirroring the prodigal son’s descent into hardship. Stripped of their former lives and facing misery, they cried out to God for salvation, expressing remorse for their sins and vowing to change.
This cycle of sin, conviction, guilt, and repentance is a deeply human experience, familiar to many. We sin, perhaps initially enjoying the transgression. Then, conviction sets in, followed by guilt and often self-pity. In this state, we turn to God, seeking forgiveness.
However, this cycle can sometimes get stuck in the phase of wallowing. We become consumed by our perceived sinfulness, dwelling on our mistakes and struggling to believe in forgiveness. We might fixate on specific sins:
- Telling significant lies that are exposed, leading to shame and self-reproach.
- Being unfaithful to loved ones, causing deep regret and guilt.
- Acting unkindly or hatefully towards those we care about, resulting in broken relationships and remorse.
- Allowing ego to drive destructive behavior, leaving a trail of damage and self-condemnation.
- Engaging in greed or dishonesty, leading to exposure and self-disgust.
These personal sins are mirrored by societal sins – greed, oppression, lies, and prejudice woven into the fabric of society. We are acutely aware of these sins, both personal and collective, and the harm they inflict. This awareness can lead to profound guilt.
Many Christians today find themselves in this state of focusing on sin and guilt. This emphasis is often reflected in church messaging, with signs and sermons frequently highlighting sin and the need for repentance. Christianity, at times, is perceived as being overly focused on condemnation and sin, both individual and societal. Even within religious communities, there can be pressure to emphasize sin and repentance, sometimes to the point of overshadowing messages of grace and joy.
But is the message truly meant to be one of constant condemnation and fear of punishment, like Jeremiah’s initial warning of suffering and death?
Actually, no. Just verses after the pronouncements of doom, Jeremiah relays God’s words of a new covenant: “…I will make a new covenant…it will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors…but this will be the covenant that I will make…I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another or say to each other ‘Know the LORD,’ for they will shall all know me…I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
This is a radical shift. God declares, at the very outset of restoring his people, that he will forgive their sins and, crucially, remember them no more. This promise, given to the people of Jeremiah’s time, is fulfilled through Jesus Christ. Our sins are forgiven and not held against us; they are forgotten by God.
This raises a fundamental question: why do we, as humans, often cling so tightly to remembering our sins when God promises to forget them?
In communion, the words are spoken: “At Jesus’s suffering and death, you [God] took our sin and death and destroyed their power forever.” Sin no longer holds ultimate power over us. So why do we remain fixated on sin’s power to bind and destroy?
The Gospel of John proclaims, “if the Son has set you free, you are free indeed.” Yet, we often keep ourselves chained by guilt and self-pity over past transgressions. Why this insistence on remembering our sins, or focusing on the sins of others, when divine forgiveness is offered?
There is no compelling reason to remain in this state of guilt and self-condemnation. God forgives. We are liberated from the weight of sin.
To be clear, sin is indeed a reality and a problem. It creates distance between us and God, and our sins can harm others. Dishonesty, corruption, unkind words, and faithlessness all inflict harm. Sin can also be self-destructive, like the sin of gluttony which harms our bodies. Sin is a problem, but it is not the defining factor in God’s view of us after repentance and forgiveness.
But what exactly is sin? It’s more than just a checklist of forbidden actions. Sin, in its essence, is any action or thought that harms ourselves, others, or our relationship with God.
To revisit the opening example, is drinking alcohol a sin? Not inherently. It becomes sinful only if it leads to harm – harm to ourselves, others, or our relationship with God. Is partying a sin? Again, not in itself. It only becomes sinful if it results in harm.
This definition of sin – anything that harms ourselves, others, or our relationship with God – echoes Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians. When the Corinthian church questioned the sinfulness of certain actions, such as eating meat sacrificed to idols, Paul redirected their focus. He urged them to consider not whether an action was inherently sinful, but whether it would cause harm to themselves, others, or their connection with God.
When we commit actions that cause harm, repentance is necessary. Confession, as practiced before communion, is beneficial for the soul. It fosters closeness with God by bridging the gap created by sin. Confession and repentance – acknowledging our sins to God and those we’ve hurt, and expressing remorse – are crucial steps.
But once we have confessed and repented, it is time to embrace joy. This is the essence of Jeremiah’s message in the “book of consolation.” The people are invited by God to celebrate, to feast, and to drink wine because they have repented. They have acknowledged their sins and sought forgiveness, and in doing so, they are released from guilt and self-pity. Their sins are forgiven and forgotten.
Three Dog Night, in a way, captured this very sentiment. Befriending Jeremiah, metaphorically helping him drink his wine, and singing “joy to the world” is a powerful image. It suggests moving beyond dwelling on sin and embracing the joy of forgiveness.
The joy of release from sin, offered through Jesus, is profound. It’s not just freedom from guilt and self-pity, but freedom from sin’s power to define us. Sin is not how God sees us. God sees us as reflections of Himself, as His beloved children, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. God sees us, in the words of Psalm 139, as “fearfully and wonderfully made.” This is the transformative truth of Jesus’s sacrifice. One of the most significant outcomes of the cross is that sin no longer dictates our identity in God’s eyes.
God looks at us and, like He did with the woman at the well, says, “Go, and sin no more… I forgive your iniquity and remember your sins no more.”
This morning, consider: what sins are you holding onto? What burdens your thoughts and brings guilt? What causes you to wallow in self-pity?
You are invited to a divine party! Release your guilt to God. Whatever sin you carry, God does not, if you have confessed and repented. God has forgiven and forgotten. God desires to set you free. Embrace that freedom today.
You are invited to the divine joy, the divine party of freedom from sin. God remembers our sins no more. God welcomes us back with open arms, inviting us to celebrate and share in His joy.
This is the reason to sing with Three Dog Night, “joy to the world, all the boys and girls, joy to the fishies in the deep blue sea, joy to you and me.” Joy because we are forgiven and set free.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Amen.
