Jeremiah 1:1-3
Jeremiah was a priest, the son of the priest Hilkiah (means 'portion of Yah'). Anathoth was 3 miles north of Jerusalem. The priests of Anathoth were likely descendants of the only remaining offspring of Eli, Abiathar, the priest of David. The priests of Anathoth originally served in the sanctuary at Shiloh before the temple was built.
Jeremiah's ministry started in Josiah's 13th year of reign. It was then the word of the Lord 'came' to Him. He didn't just hear the word or perceive it in some way. The word happened to him, it was an event. The reign of Josiah lasted another 18 years after which the Jehoiakim, his son, began to reign. The remaining kings led the nation into wickedness and rebellion from the Lord.
- Jehoahaz, son of Josiah, ruled 3 months – 23 years old, killed in battle
- Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, ruled 11 years – 25 years old, died after Babylonians captured Jerusalem.
- Jehoiachin, son of Jehoiakim, ruled 3 months –
- Zedekiah, son of Josiah, ruled 10 years
It was in Zedekiah's final year that the nation was led into exile.
Jeremiah 1:4-8
The word 'formed' was a word normally used to describe pottery. The potter had already known Jeremiah, was intimately aware of him, knowing the details of his life, before he was formed in the womb. He was set apart, consecrated to the Lord. He knew him, formed him and consecrated him as a prophet to the nations. While his focus seemed to be Judah, he ministered to the surrounding nations regarding Yahweh and His divine justice.
Much like Moses (Ex 3:11), Jeremiah said he was too young. The objection was based on traditions. He was not yet 20 years old; he was likely 12-16 years old. The Lord dismissed this objection, He was not bound or limited by men's traditions. Whom the Lord calls, He equips. Jeremiah would find that out. He was instructed to be an envoy, speaking was he was commanded to say. We might imagine this you teenaged shaking and quaking as he delivered a 'thus sayeth the Lord' to a people who didn't want to hear this young man. The Lord said he did not need to fear; His promise was not to keep trouble from him but that the Lord would be with him in that trouble and eventually rescue him.
Jeremiah 1:9-15
Jeremiah either perceives or actually sees what he knows to be the Lord's hand reaching out to touch his mouth. It's as if the Lord were making a deposit, placing His words in Isaiah's mouth to speak all that was given to Him. It's worth noting that the call came prior to the words. Those called don't experience a sense of being equipped and then being called; the call comes, is answered by faith, then the Lord equips the willing servant. Jeremiah is given this office as prophet to the nations; this would be both destructive and constructive; always instructive.
As the word came to him, it was a word that was seen. Jeremiah saw an almond tree, symbolizing the words of the Lord budding and coming forth. The original Hebrews words could also be translated as 'a branch of the watchful treed'. The Lord confirms his vision and the fact that he would hold him accountable to his calling to speak these words. This notion gives new meaning to 'fear of the Lord'.
Again the word came as a vision to see. He saw a pot that was boiling; could also be translated as 'a blown pot'. The pot was tilting down as if it were pouring this boiling liquid down from the north; or the steam blowing down from the north upon Judah. The Lord confirms judgment was coming from the north; a disaster poured out on the land. The Lord would summon his tool of judgment. These kings, as ordained by the Lord, will come to Jerusalem, surround it and siege it as well as the towns of Judah. If they set their thrones at the gate, it is an indication they are ruling that city or area. The judgment was coming because Judah was found guilty of forsaking the Lord. And not only that, but also pursuing other gods and worshiping them. They gave thanks to other gods what the Lord had done for them. This all happened in the face of numerous warnings, prophecies and pleadings from the Lord.
Jeremiah 1:17-19
The NKJV says, 'therefore' which seems a little more definitive than the NIV; the point comes through though. The Lord has established these things and what the Lord establishes is a given. With that fact established, 'here's what you need to do.' Remember, this was a message to Jeremiah. He was to prepare himself, this was about to get very difficult. This would have been used to indicate a man should tighten his belt that holds is tunic to prepare for something physical and strenuous. It was to 'gird up your loins' to gather your emotional or spiritual strength as well as courage.
The call to 'stand up and say' was the imperative to begin his ministry. He was not to fall apart, become dismayed or broken before those whom he ministered. If he did, the Lord said he would take him apart, dismay him and break him. If he allowed fear to break him down, fear would indeeed do just that. Jeremiah did indeed struggle with the weight of what he was called to say and do and see in his ministry.
The Lord promises that He will be with him and he can stand strong in the face of persecution and fear. Jeremiah was to understand that if he stood with the Lord all those who would fight against him fought against the Lord. They can't win. The promise to rescue him seems to be clear indication he would indeed need rescuing at times. Imagine what Jeremiah thought about this.
©2018 Doug Ford
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