The Call of Jeremiah
Jeremiah's call is shown as a conversation. God...
Jeremiah's call is shown as a conversation. God spoke like a king to Jeremiah. Jeremiah's objections show he understood himself well. God answered his objections with promises and strong visions.
1These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests in Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin.
Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin are not on this list...
Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin are not on this list of kings. Each ruled for less than three months.
2The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah, 3and through the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, until the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.
In his first message from the Lord, Jeremiah...
In his first message from the Lord, Jeremiah learned three key truths about God:
God knows everything, including each person.
He can choose people for specific tasks even before they exist.
He gives his authority to those he calls.
God chose Jeremiah for a special task and made him a prophet.
Jeremiah's work reached many nations. Although he left the kingdom of Judah only three times, people worldwide have heard or read his writings (see Jeremiah 13:4–7; 43:7–8).
In his first message from the Lord, Jeremiah learned three key truths about God:
God knows everything, including each person.
He can choose people for specific tasks even before they exist.
He gives his authority to those he calls.
God chose Jeremiah for a special task and made him a prophet.
Jeremiah's work reached many nations. Although he left the kingdom of Judah only three times, people worldwide have heard or read his writings (see Jeremiah 13:4–7; 43:7–8).
4The word of the LORD came to me, saying:
5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,and before you were born I set you apartand appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”6“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”
God encouraged Jeremiah to focus on the importance...
God encouraged Jeremiah to focus on the importance of his task. He needed to meet God's standards for a royal messenger. This included being willing to travel and faithfully delivering God's messages.
7But the LORD told me:
“Do not say,‘I am only a child.’For to everyone I send you,you must go,and all that I command you,you must speak.8Do not be afraid of them,for I am with you to deliver you,”declares the LORD.9Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me:
“Behold, I have put My wordsin your mouth.10See, I have appointed you todayover nations and kingdomsto uproot and tear down,to destroy and overthrow,to build and plant.”
The Hebrew words for "almond tree" (shaqed) and...
The Hebrew words for "almond tree" (shaqed) and "watching" (shoqed) sound very similar. God used this connection to teach Jeremiah something important. The almond tree blooms very early, before other trees, in January or February.
When God showed Jeremiah an almond tree, he was telling him that just as the almond tree is alert and ready to bloom early, God is always alert and watching over his people. We can see this same idea of God's constant watchful care in Psalm 121:3–8.
11And the word of the LORD came to me, asking, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” “I see a branch of an almond tree,” I replied.
12“You have observed correctly,” said the LORD, “for I am watching† over My word to accomplish it.”
Invading armies would bring terror to the people...
Invading armies would bring terror to the people of Judah. Although Babylon was directly east of Judah, the desert between them forced the Babylonian army to attack Judah from the north. This invasion would be as destructive as rushing, boiling water
13Again the word of the LORD came to me, asking, “What do you see?” “I see a boiling pot,” I replied, “and it is tilting toward us from the north.”
14Then the LORD said to me, “Disaster from the north will be poured out on all who live in the land. 15For I am about to summon all the clans and kingdoms of the north,” declares the LORD.
“Their kings will come and set up their thronesat the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem.They will attack all her surrounding wallsand all the other cities of Judah.16I will pronounce My judgments against themfor all their wickedness,because they have forsaken Me,and they have burned incense to other godsand worshiped the works of their own hands.17Get yourself ready.† Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18Now behold, this day I have made you like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.