GOD CALLS JEREMIAH

Jeremiah 1:1-19 / Keywords 1:5

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

 

1:1 The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. 2 The word of the Lord came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah, 3 and through the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, down to the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.

The Call of Jeremiah

4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you,

    before you were born I set you apart;

    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

11 The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?”

“I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied.

12 The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching[b] to see that my word is fulfilled.”

13 The word of the Lord came to me again: “What do you see?”

“I see a pot that is boiling,” I answered. “It is tilting toward us from the north.”

14 The Lord said to me, “From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land. 15 I am about to summon all the peoples of the northern kingdoms,” declares the Lord.

“Their kings will come and set up their thrones

    in the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem;

they will come against all her surrounding walls

    and against all the towns of Judah.

16 I will pronounce my judgments on my people

    because of their wickedness in forsaking me,

in burning incense to other gods

    and in worshiping what their hands have made.

17 “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

Footnotes

a. Jeremiah 1:5 Or chose

b. Jeremiah 1:12 The Hebrew for watching sounds like the Hebrew for almond tree.

1. Jeremiah was born in a Levite family of priests. While he was still young (6), God called him to deliver his words to his people. The young man was reluctant to receive the calling. He felt inadequate.

 

2. However, God knew him before his birth, and he would guide him to say the right words. The message he was to bring to God’s people was of punishment and destruction, yet with the hope of a future in the Lord. It was a difficult task for Jeremiah since the people had been proud and stubborn in disobeying God’s will for generations. Nevertheless, God assures him not to be terrified. As God made him like a fortified city, no man will overcome him with their strength, for God will stand with him and rescue him from any men’s fight (19).

 

3. Are you reluctant to answer God’s calling? Do you feel weak in this world which seems too strong and stubborn? Knowing all your weaknesses, our God is calling you to participate in his work. Accept his calling and receive his vision. He will guide you where to go and what to do.

 

Prayer Father, I am weak and sinful. Yet I find comfort in realizing that you know me. You know how I can be useful to you as you have formed me. Help me to have the courage to accept your calling and let you guide my life for your glory.

One Word The Lord’s calling