The Book of Jeremiah has so many parallels to our life today, but the names and cultural references cause us to think it is irrelevant. Jeremiah the prophet watched his nation become corrupt and abandon God, and eventually collapse. His ministry lasted over 40 years and spanned 5 kings. He spoke to individuals, he spoke to nations and he spoke of the coming judgment. He spoke God’s Word to people that did not listen and yet he persisted, knowing ultimately there was a promise of a new covenant of personal renewal. Chapter one reminds me of new parents. That experience gives us a whole new understanding of the gift of life and the awesome responsibility to care for a helpless baby. We are introduced to Jeremiah as the “son of Hilkiah, one of the priests“. It is interesting that many of us think of ourselves as the son or daughter of whatever our parents did for a living. Some of us follow in their footsteps and some of us take a different path, but we always remember that foundation. God establishes His hand in our life before the first ultrasound. “Before I formed you in the womb I knewyou, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations“. I believe God knows each of us with that same intimacy. It is comforting that Jeremiah reacted much the same way we do, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young“. We so often make excuses for not doing what we should.
God gave Jeremiah a general command, “Go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you“. But He also adds one important ingredient, “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you“. Our reaction is to point out that God has never spoken to me! God speaks in “a still small voice“, which means that we have to pause to listen. Today, we feel like we have to be constantly entertained. Do you honestly have any real quiet time? Jeremiah next recounts the moment of anointing. I believe that God desires this closeness with each of us, but that requires openness on our part. “The Lord reached out His hand and touched my mouth” saying, “I have put My words in your mouth“. This might sound scary until you consider whose words are in your mouth? Who repeats the words that you speak?
Finally, God asks Jeremiah to look ahead. This will not be as simple as painting of the nursery. “I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant“. There will be radical change ahead. Then God shows Jeremiah, “the branch of an almond tree” and “pot that is boiling… tilting toward us“. Almond trees do not bear fruit until 7-8 months after they bloom. I see this as a symbol of God’s patience and hope, with a dire warning that judgment is out there as well. God explains, “From the north disaster will be poured… Their kings will come and set up their thrones in the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem… and against all the towns of Judah“. Please listen to the reason, “I will pronounce My judgments on My people because of their wickedness in forsaking Me“. Instead they worship, “what their hands have made“. God chose Jeremiah to be “an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land“. Parents quickly learn it is difficult to stand against the norms of society, but I believe there is a promise for you and your child, “They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you“. Every parent knows their child will one day make their own decisions. Hebrews 5:13 compares the Word of God to our diet. “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant…But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil“. Friend, is it time you grew up?