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Jeremiah – Words from the Heart (1 of 4)

Focus Text: Jeremiah 1.4-10

Jeremiah is frequently referred to as the weeping prophet and this with good cause. In the book of Lamentations he wrote, “The elders of the daughter of Zion Sit on the ground and keep silence; They throw dust on their heads And gird themselves with sackcloth. The virgins of Jerusalem Bow their heads to the ground. My eyes fail with tears, My heart is troubled; My bile is poured on the ground Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, Because the children and the infants Faint in the streets of the city. They say to their mothers, ‘Where is grain and wine?’ As they swoon like the wounded In the streets of the city, As their life is poured out In their mothers’ bosom.” (Lamentations 2.10-12).

It was not the case that other prophets failed to speak from the heart, but it is certain that none did so with more feelings or fervor than Jeremiah! He was a man in every sense of the word, but he was a sensitive man. When one thinks of Jeremiah and his character, one must not think in static terms; his ministry stretched over approximately 50 years. Because of his longevity as a prophet and his young age at the time of his call, the man who wrote the final chapters of Jeremiah was not the same lad who accepted Jehovah’s call at the beginning. Wayne Jackson of the Christian Chronicle put it this way in January of 2004: “When one is willing to be used in the service of Jehovah, God can take his weaknesses and turn them into strengths. Jeremiah was a timid, sensitive youth who initially shrunk from the awesome responsibility with which he was challenged. But he became one of the Lord’s greatest, most courageous men.” So even though Jeremiah might at times appear timid or to even shrink from his duty, he became a mighty and courageous man whom God used in shaping Judah’s future.

Perhaps there is no more fitting way to begin this study than with a quick look at Jeremiah’s call and the plans that God had for him. “Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.’ Then said I: ‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth’ But the LORD said to me: ‘Do not say, “I am a youth,” For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,’ says the LORD. Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.’” (Jeremiah 1.4-10).

With this insight into Jeremiah’s personality we also have insight into God’s wise ways. As Jackson observed, God was able to use Jeremiah mightily though He knew his timidity even before He formed him in the womb! Surely there is a great lesson in this for all of us. First, we ought to use our talents rather than excuse ourselves because of our weaknesses. But, secondly, we ought not dismiss others from service so readily merely because they do not measure up in every way to our standards; all of us need nurturing in order to grow in usefulness!

Questions:

1. Why is Jeremiah frequently called the weeping prophet?

2. With what reasoning did Jeremiah attempt to excuse himself when God called him?

3. Review the work that God had for Jeremiah to do (Jeremiah 1.10). Does this look like work for a youth to do? How did God expect a mere lad to perform such lofty deeds?

4. How ought we to approach the service of others, especially if they are less skilled in a particular area than we would like for them to be?

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

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