02 Jeremiah 1:4-19 What does God want from me?

by Krisan Marotta | Sep 21, 2016 | 01 Podcasts, Jeremiah

Why did Susan Boyle’s story draw so much attention? We love the story of an underdog who everyone under-estimates but who then enjoys an unexpected triumph. As we’re going to see, Jeremiah is that same kind of underdog.

Historical Setting

Jeremiah began his ministry as the dominant world power, the Assyrians, descended into civil war. As the Assyrians began to lose their power, Babylon and Egypt sought to occupy the power vacuum that the Assyrians would leave. In the midst of this political turmoil the Lord calls Jeremiah. His job is to predict and warn of the coming Babylonian invasion and the restoration that would follow the exile.

Notes

4 Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:4-5

Jeremiah’s story begins with the word of the Lord. The phrase occurs in almost 5% of the verses of Jeremiah.
Calling begins with the Lord. He forms, creates, appoints and calls. We respond.
God’s word came TO Jeremiah before it came THROUGH Jeremiah.

The 3 verbs in verse 5 are:

“know (Strongs H3045)” – reaches beyond intellectual knowledge or acquaintance and includes an intimate personal commitment.
“set apart/consecrate (Strongs H6942)” – At its root it has the idea of setting something apart from all others and dedicating it to a specific use.
“appoint (Strongs H5414)” – refers to giving someone a particular task or assignment.

Is that true of everyone that God knows, sets apart and appoints?

Calling begins with God, develops through our relationship with God and that relationship leads us to others.

Recommended books on finding God’s calling for you:

Finding the Will of God: A Pagan Notion? by Bruce K. Waltke
Decision Making and the Will of God: by Garry Friesen (read the whole book; or just the second half)

6 Then I said, “Alas, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, Because I am a youth.” 7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. 8Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD. 9Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. 10 See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, To pluck up and to break down, To destroy and to overthrow, To build and to plant.” – Jeremiah 1:6-10

Jeremiah’s first objection concerns himself: He can’t speak well.
Jeremiah’s second objections concerns others: People don’t listen to young prophets.
Calling may begin looking like certain failure.
In response to Jeremiah’s youth, God promises His presence.
In response to Jeremiah’s lack of ability, God gives Jeremiah the words to speak.
The 6 verbs in verse 10 anticipate the message of the book of Jeremiah: 4 relate to destruction; 2 to rebuilding.

11 The word of the LORD came to me saying, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” And I said, “I see a rod of an almond tree.” 12 Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.” 13 The word of the LORD came to me a second time saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a boiling pot, facing away from the north.” 14 Then the LORD said to me, “Out of the north the evil will break forth on all the inhabitants of the land. 15For, behold, I am calling all the families of the kingdoms of the north,” declares the LORD; “and they will come and they will set each one his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all its walls round about and against all the cities of Judah. 16I will pronounce My judgments on them concerning all their wickedness, whereby they have forsaken Me and have offered sacrifices to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands. 17Now, gird up your loins and arise, and speak to them all which I command you. Do not be dismayed before them, or I will dismay you before them. 18Now behold, I have made you today as a fortified city and as a pillar of iron and as walls of bronze against the whole land, to the kings of Judah, to its princes, to its priests and to the people of the land. 19They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD. – Jeremiah 1:11-19

Just as the early first blooming almond tree heralds the arrival of springtime, so God will rapidly fulfill His spoken word.
Just as the liquid is about to boil over, so disaster from the north is going to be let loose on Judah.
In conclusion, Jeremiah is told 3 things: brace yourself; speak the Lord’s word and don’t be dismayed.

Summary

What does God want from us? God wants each of us to live in relationship with him so that we might bring life to others.

Calling beings with God. God calls and we respond. We don’t find our calling by finding ourselves. We find our calling by finding the Lord.
We are not alone, God is always with us. He gives us His presence and relationship with him.
God will equip us for what He calls us to do.
Calling will look like failure to us, but God is in the business of bringing using failures like us to bring about His glory and His kingdom.
Success is humble faithfulness, not fame, fortune or impact. Success is doing that and only that which God has called you to do.
It’s not going to be easy. Brace yourself by keeping your focus on God, not yourself. Then speak God’s word and don’t be dismayed.

For more detail and explanation, please listen to the podcast.