Jeremiah 1
Knowing something of the historical context into which a prophet speaks can greatly enhance our understanding of the prophet’s message. For Jeremiah, that historical context is the waning years of the Kingdom of Judah (aka the Southern Kingdom) as indicated by Jeremiah 1:1-3. So for your own benefit, as we begin to delve into the Book of Jeremiah, take some extra time to review that history, which can be found in II Kings 22-25 and II Chronicles 34-36. Similarly, read the introductory material in Search the Scriptures and in your study Bible or even this Wikipedia article. These are not happy years for Judah, and it is not a happy — or easy — ministry for Jeremiah, the “weeping prophet.”
Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.”
Jeremiah 1:4–6
Today we have Jeremiah’s call as a prophet, ordained by the LORD to speak His word, not only to Judah and Israel, but to the nations. We should note that this calling is not the result of any spectacular deeds or talents of Jeremiah’s own making, for God sets him apart before he is even born. Nor is this a job that Jeremiah is seeking, for he protests (like Moses before him — Ex. 4:10) that he does not know how to speak.
Indeed it is a daunting task that the LORD sets before a young Jeremiah, but the LORD promises to be with him to deliver him:
But the LORD said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;
Jeremiah 1:7-8
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the LORD.”
And again:
And I, behold, I make you this day 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. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you.
Jeremiah 1:18–19
As we shall see, the LORD’s promise to deliver Jeremiah does not mean that Jeremiah is to have an easy time of it or that he will not suffer greatly at the hands of others, and Jeremiah must wrestle with that reality.
Although we may not be called in quite the same way as Jeremiah or bear the burden of prophesying to the nations, the LORD has a purpose for each of us and calls us to walk faithfully with Him. Do we perceive that call? Do we submit to His call? Or do we resist? Do we trust Him for our deliverance, despite the difficulty of our circumstances and the suffering we may face?
Let’s learn from Jeremiah. Let’s listen to the LORD. Let’s answer His call, follow Him, and trust in His faithfulness.