Proper 6 (OTA)

Jeremiah 1:4-19

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 appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

⁶ Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” ⁷ But the Lord said to me,

“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;

for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,

and whatever I command you, you shall speak.

⁸ Do not be afraid of them,

for I am with you to deliver you,

declares the Lord.”

⁹ Then the Lord put 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 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.”

¹¹ And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see an almond branch.” 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 disaster shall be let loose upon all the inhabitants of the land. ¹⁵ For behold, I am calling all the tribes of the kingdoms of the north, declares the Lord, and they shall come, and every one shall set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its walls all around and against all the cities of Judah. ¹⁶ And I will declare my judgments against them, for all their evil in forsaking me. They have made offerings to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands. ¹⁷ But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. ¹⁸ And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. ¹⁹ They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.”

The Lord calls Jeremiah his Prophet. He calls him as a youth. I am sure people have wondered what is meant by youth. Jeremiah is definitely young and not middle aged. He was probably still learning his priestly duties. Jeremiah becomes a young prophet being called as a lad.

But each of us have been called as young or older people. We have been called even before our parents knew us, and this could be knowing in the womb. God knit each of us together. He but us together for a purpose. He calls Israelite and foreigner. He calls them all to do his will and preform his acts of mercy or judgement.

Jeremiah has been given a special task. But this task has been given to every Christian. He has placed his Word upon your lips, so that you would speak his judgement and compassion. He has give you this task with the promise that he will be with you.

Many of us shy away from speaking God's word. But listen to the Word of The Lord to Jeremiah, "whatever I command you will speak." Jesus sends you with a promise that he will always be with you. The Holy Spirit will give you the proper words to speak. You have been sealed for the day of deliverance when Christ will return and raise you to perfect life with him for eternity.