JEREMIAH 1

GOD’S CALLING + PURPOSE FOR JEREMIAH

Despite being a descendant of a priestly lineage, God chose and appointed Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations before he was born. Jeremiah denied his calling, assuming he was too young to speak God’s messages. God told Jeremiah not to be afraid and promised to accompany and protect him.

God touched Jeremiah’s mouth, giving him the words to say. Jeremiah was given the message that Jerusalem would be plucked up, broken down, destroyed, and overthrown before it would be rebuilt and planted.

Jeremiah had two visions from God, the first of which was a staff or rod made of an almond branch. God explained that the branch implied that He would watch over Jeremiah and see that His Word was fulfilled.

The next image was of a boiling pot tilting down towards the south, symbolizing how the kingdoms north of Judah would oppose and oppress them. Judah would be overthrown, and the kings of other nations would express God’s judgment on Judah for turning to false gods.

Jeremiah will soon face severe opposition, but God promised to protect him like a fortified city with bronze walls.

Jeremiah 1:10 - See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.