The Lord Chooses Jeremiah
February 3, 2022
Commentary
The book opens with a statement of where God “found” Jeremiah (among the priests), and what he made of him (a prophet unto the nations). Here Jeremiah was born, son of the priest Hilkiah. Anathoth, a town about three miles northeast of Jerusalem was assigned to and inhabited by priests (Josh. 21:13-19). It was here that Jeremiah was born and grew up (vv. 1-3).
Far more important than learning what task he must accomplish, Jeremiah needed to know with assurance the person who was commissioning him. God had known Jeremiah’s role before he was born, had caused him to be born and had separated him for a holy service. How could Jeremiah possibly avoid this moment of truth (vv. 4-5).
Jeremiah responded to God’s appointment with a measure of self-doubt (v. 6). Often people struggle with new challenges because they lack self-confidence. He said that he did not know how to speak. He does not plead inability like Moses (Ex. 4:10), but rather from the point of inexperience. The task would be difficult but since the prophet was called by God he would have divine enablement (vv. 6-8). God promised to deliver Jeremiah from trouble, not to keep trouble from coming to him. God does not keep us from encountering life’s storms but He will see us through. He was not only called to the task but he was empowered (vv. 9-10).
Application
When God asks me to do something it is easy for me to say, “I can’t do it”, “I don’t have the ability, training or experience.” I just need to remember, if God gives me a job to do, He will provide all I need to do it.
Jeremiah 1:1– 10 (NET)
1 The following is a record of what Jeremiah son of Hilkiah prophesied. He was one of the priests who lived at Anathoth in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 The Lord’s message came to him in the thirteenth year that Josiah son of Amon ruled over Judah. 3 It also came in the days of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, king of Judah, and continued until the eleventh year of Zedekiah, son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the people of Jerusalem were taken into exile in the fifth month of that year.
4 The Lord’s message came to me,
5 “Before I formed you in your mother’s womb I chose you. Before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.”
6 I answered, “Oh, Sovereign Lord, Really I do not know how to speak well enough for that, for I am too young.” 7 The Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ But go to whomever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 8 Do not be afraid of those to whom I send you, for I will be with you to protect you,” says the Lord. 9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I will most assuredly give you the words you are to speak for me. 10 Know for certain that I hereby give you the authority to announce to nations and kingdoms that they will be uprooted and torn down, destroyed and demolished, rebuilt and firmly planted.”