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We have turned to the book of Jeremiah who preached a prophetic word when his nation faced serious circumstances. The inspired word Jeremiah delivered matched the critical situation confronting the chosen people of God.

A ‘Jeremiah’ is regarded today as a ‘doom and gloom’ man – but in reality that is not so. Jesus reminded many people of Jeremiah. See Matthew Chapter 16 .

Jesus and Jeremiah share striking similarities as divinely called prophets. They both condemned religious hypocrisy – predicted Jerusalem's destruction – faced persecution and false accusations from authorities – were rejected in their hometowns, and prophesied a New Covenant .

Jeremiah's life is often seen as foreshadowing Jesus's suffering, rejection, and ultimate triumph. Jeremiah was arrested and cast into a pit – Jesus was arreseted, crucified and his body placed in a tomb nearby.

Both emphasised inward spirituality over outward ritual, and were unmarried, tender hearted figures.

Jeremiah is a man who comes with the word of God for a particular situation, and he delivers the message God gave him – usually at a tremendous cost.

Jeremiah's message here is - Carry on the way you are going – and as a nation and as a people, you will crack up, breakdown, and face disaster. That is not nice to hear, especially if you are of the chosen people of God – but that is what he was commissioned to proclaim and preach

Yet his word is a balanced word. There are glimpses of hope. God never gives up on His people. God continues to speak, ever calling them to repent and return. This word we will see his full of mercy and compassion and concern.

The word of the Lord came – hear God speaking – that is better than hearing the words of men. Even a rebuke from God is better than the empty flattering praises of men.

Jeremiah's personality can be seen throughout the chapters of this book.

God uses our personalities. God does not overlook or erase our personal characteristics. These attributes or qualities mark us out as individuals. Sometimes we might wish He did. However, you have to accept my personality, and I have to accept yours.

It is through the personality of the man, and the message of the word of God, that truth and light begin to shine.

Jeremiah speaks in pictures – he sees things and shares what he sees – and some see the significance. and most do not.

From very early years Jeremiah would have been a worshipper – his father was a priest, and he is called while quite young – in his teens. He is shy and full of excuses, and yet he is being called by God to challenge the nation and the nations.

Why did God choose this boy? God saw something in Jeremiah and God knew He could put more into him

Jeremiah means ‘God hurls’ or ‘God throws’ or ‘God fights’ – and soon, Jeremiah would be throwing God's word at the world, and hurling heaven’s message across Jerusalem, fighting the depths of sin into which Israel had sunk.

Jeremiah is constantly referring to the Commandments, yet, he was refused a hearing – mocked – not listened to – imprisoned in a cell right at the foot of Calvary. He had to bear a lot!

God had called him – God had chosen him. Jeremiah, I want you. I have been getting you ready – and then God put fire in his bones.

If you have been called by God, you have no choice.

“Gracious Father – we worship You – we thank You for Your love and mercy as we read these opening words of the prophecy of Jeremiah. Merciful God, these are serious words and we today are living in serious times. Help us to learn and understand the important truths arising from Jeremiah’s reaction and the reassurance You gave him. We do thank You for the knowledge that when You call a man – we really have no choice – and for that we praise You – all because of Jesus.” Amen.

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

Belief, Faith, Trust ... Are They Different?