*Jeremiah 1:1-9
The book of Jeremiah introduces the prophet and his calling to pronounce judgement on Judah for its wickedness.
- Introduction of Jeremiah:
- The passage introduces Jeremiah as the son of Hilkiah, of the priests residing in Anathoth, a town in the territory of Benjamin.
- It provides the historical context by stating that Jeremiah received his prophetic call in the thirteenth year of the reign of King Josiah, son of Amon, over Judah.
- God’s Call to Jeremiah:
- Jeremiah recounts how the word of the Lord came to him, declaring, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
- Despite Jeremiah’s protests of inadequacy due to his youth and inexperience, God reassures him by stating, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.”
- Commissioning as a Prophet:
- God touches Jeremiah’s mouth and imparts His words to him, appointing him over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.
- Jeremiah is commissioned to proclaim God’s message faithfully, regardless of the opposition he may face, and to fulfill the divine purpose for which he was chosen.
1:1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin: 1:2 To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.
1:3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.
1:4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
1:6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
1:7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
1:9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.