Serving on Purpose - Starting Now - Jeremiah 1:1-19 - Fenruary 5, 2006

Sunday School Lesson – Starting Now – February 5, 2006

This lesson begins a new series of study in the book of Jeremiah.

The study series is entitled “Serving on Purpose.”

February 5 – Starting Now – Jeremiah 1:1-19 – Responding to GOD’S call to serve HIM

February 12 – Paying a Price to Serve GOD – Am I willing to pay a price to serve GOD?

February 19 – Dealing with Doubt – What should I do when my service to GOD is clouded with doubt?

February 26 – Doing My Part – What is my part in GOD’S plan?

What do we know about the Prophet Jeremiah, who wrote the Book of Jeremiah?

He was born and lived in Anathoth (AN uh thoth), which is about 3 miles from Jerusalem or about an hours walk to Jerusalem. Anathoth is a village and a number of priests lived there. To our knowledge Jeremiah never served as a priest but called by GOD to be a prophet. GOD called Jeremiah for ministry in 626 B.C. during the 13th year of the rule of King Josiah. Jeremiah’s ministry would last for 40 years, which would span the reigns of 5 Judean kings ending in 586 B.C. the time the Israelites went into exile to Babylon (Iraq). Jeremiah likely died in Egypt after a group of Judeans fled to Egypt after the destruction of Jerusalem.

About the time GOD called Jeremiah to ministry; the Assyrian Empire was in a decline. Nebuchadnezzar was king of the Babylonian Empire in 602 B.C. and GOD used Babylon to defeat Judah and Jerusalem. GOD used Jeremiah to warn Israel that Babylon would judge them but the Israelites ignored his warnings.
This is an exciting study. This lesson shows how GOD uses HIS servants to carry out HIS will and purpose. We see in Jeremiah that often we as humans feel unworthy to serve GOD. We use a variety of excuses not to be obedient to GOD. We think the success of a call from GOD depends upon our power and ability. Our part is to be available and willing to be obedient to what GOD calls us to do. Then respond to what HE asks us to do next, which could be some preparation and watch HIM work in mighty ways to bring it about.

How would you like to have such an intimate loving relationship with GOD that HE comes to you and speaks? Guess what? That is exactly the relationship GOD wants to have with all HIS children. So why do we resist? Usually because we are afraid of what GOD might ask us to do or we feel unworthy.

Many of us feel unworthy even though we are Christians and know we belong to GOD through CHRIST. We remember our past life and the times we may have failed to be obedient to GOD.

THE LORD revealed something to me this week which is precious. I glanced at the cover of a magazine and on its cover is an attractive young lady. I thought to myself they have done a great job airbrushing and hiding every blemish and flaw on this lady. I could not spot the first imperfection. I thought, “I wonder if I saw her in person would I recognize her with her imperfections.” Then the thought came to me like a bolt, as a Christian, GOD sees us perfect without spot, blemish or wrinkle because we have been cleansed and made perfect by the blood of HIS ONLY SON, JESUS.

In our study we have the privilege to see much of Jeremiah’s walk with GOD. We are still walking.

Let’s read Jeremiah 1: 1-10:
Chapter 1
1 The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests living in Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. 2 The word of the Lord came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah. 3 It also came throughout the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah, king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.
The Call of Jeremiah
4 The word of the Lord came to me: 5 I chose you before I formed you in the womb;[1] Ps 139:13–16 I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations. 6 But I protested, “Oh no, Lord God! Look, I don’t know how to speak[2] Ex 4:10 since I am [only]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. a youth.” 7 Then the Lord said to me: Do not say: I am [only]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. a youth, for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you.[3] Dt 18:18 8 Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. [This is]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord’s declaration. 9 Then the Lord reached out His hand, touched my mouth,[4] Isa 6:7 and told me: Look, I have filled your mouth with My words.[5] Isa 51:16 10 See, today I have set you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and demolish, to build and plant.[6] Jr 12:14–17; 19:7; 24:6

Verses 1-3 help set the time period of Jeremiah’s ministry.

Then beginning with verse 4, “The word of THE LORD came to me”. Has GOD ever spoken to you? HE spoke directly to Jeremiah as we read in verse 5. So what do we learn when GOD speaks to Jeremiah?

GOD tells Jeremiah before he was formed in his mother’s womb, “I chose you and set you apart to serve ME as a prophet”. WOW! This is so neat. We might think, “Jeremiah was special. I wish GOD would tell me that HE had chosen me.”
Well guess what? HE did! Notice verse 4.

Remember Ephesians 1:3-6:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,[2] Eph 1:20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12 in Christ; 4 for He chose[3] Rm 11:5–7; 1 Co 1:26–31; 1 Th 1:4; 2 Th 2:13; 1 Pt 1:1–2 us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.[4] Vv. 3–14 are 1 sentence in Gk. In love[5] Or In His sight in love 5 He predestined[6] Ac 4:28; Rm 8:29–30; 1 Co 2:7; Eph 1:11 us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, 6 to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved.

Just like Jeremiah, we who are in CHRIST have been chosen, “Before I created the world I KNEW YOU”. GOD knew when, where, to whom we would be born. GOD has chosen each of us for a purpose. Most important HE chose each of us to accept CHRIST as our SAVIOR and LORD. Although chosen, we still have the right to choose. After we have chosen CHRIST for salvation, we still have the right to choose whether to obey GOD when HE calls us to serve HIM.

Jeremiah tries to say he is not qualified because he is too young. But GOD convinced HIM otherwise. Jeremiah makes the right decision to serve GOD as a prophet.

In Hebrew, the word prophet means, “one who is called to speak by inspiration.” GOD called Jeremiah to speak for HIM. Jeremiah is GOD’S representative to the Israelites. GOD calls each Christian to be HIS representatives to others around us each day. We are to be GOD’S Ambassadors.

In verse 6 we see Jeremiah’s response, “I am only a youth!” which means he is likely between 16 and 25 years old. We must keep in mind that age, experience, how we speak, social status, health, physical condition, material circumstances or education is immaterial to GOD when HE calls us to work for HIM. It is GOD WHO equips and it is GOD WHO is working through us. We are proclaiming HIS message or carrying out HIS plan, not ours.
A call from GOD may mean we will have to prepare through study or special training to be equipped to serve HIM. GOD will guide those called as to what they need to do to prepare for the call.

GOD told Jeremiah not to let his youth get in his way or cause him to hesitate in his service for HIM. Also, he is not to be intimidated or think he cannot do what GOD has called him to do because GOD is his strength. GOD told Jeremiah not to fear anyone because HE would be with him to deliver him. (Verse 8)

When GOD calls us for a purpose, HE tells us what HIS role will be in the call. HE equips but we have to respond. It will not be easy but HE will be right there with us in every situation as along as our hearts and minds are set upon HIM. We must remain in the protection of HIS will and purpose. Doubt undermines confidence in GOD’S ability.

Then in verse 9, GOD confirms HIS assurance to Jeremiah by touching his mouth and filling his mouth with HIS words.

In verse 10, GOD gives Jeremiah HIS mission, “I have set or appointed you to present MY message of destruction and rebuilding to nations and kingdoms.”

In our next scripture, GOD gives Jeremiah two (2) visions.

Jeremiah 1:11-16:
Two Visions
11 Then the word of the Lord came to me, asking, “What do you see, Jeremiah?”[7] Am 7:8; 8:2; Zch 4:2; 5:2 I replied, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” 12 The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I watch over My word to accomplish it.” 13 Again the word of the Lord came to me inquiring, “What do you see?” And I replied, “I see a boiling pot, its mouth tilted from the north [to the south]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. .” 14 Then the Lord said to me, “Disaster will be poured out[8] LXX reads will boil from the north on all who live in the land. 15 Indeed, I am about to summon all the clans and kingdoms of the north.” [This is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord’s declaration. They will come, and each [king]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. will set up his throne at the entrance to Jerusalem’s gates. They will attack all her surrounding walls and all the other cities of Judah. 16 “I will pronounce My judgments against them for all the evil they did when they abandoned Me to burn incense to other gods and to worship the works of their own hands.[9]

GOD continues HIS instructions to Jeremiah.

“What do you see?” “I see a branch of an almond tree.”

GOD often uses the familiar to teach us or confirm HIS message to us. In Jeremiah’s encounter with GOD, GOD uses an almond branch. Anathoth, where Jeremiah was born and raised, was and is today the center for growing almonds. Jeremiah knew all about the almond tree and its branches.

It is interesting that the word “almond” means watching. The almond tree was called the “awake” tree, because its early blooms signal the awaking of nature and spring. The almond tree blooms could appear as early as the month of January. When the almond tree branches bloomed, they knew spring was on its way.

GOD confirms Jeremiah has seen correctly. Often GOD will test us to make sure we are paying attention to HIM. Then GOD says “for I watch over MY word to accomplish it.” Meaning, Jeremiah just as you watch the almond tree for the coming of spring, you can know with assurance I will fulfill what I am telling you. So go with confidence with MY message to the nations and kings.

GOD, in essence, says, now Jeremiah since I know I have your attention and you are seeing what I want you to see, here is MY message through another vision.

GOD asks Jeremiah, “What do you see?” Jeremiah responds in verse 13 and GOD tells Jeremiah the meaning of what he is seeing in verses 14-16.

Verse 16 is the reason GOD is bringing judgment on the Israelites.

Nothing gets GOD more than for us to know about HIM and then try to find HIM through some man-made worship. The Israelites had cut down trees, chiseled out a figure, and decorated the figure with silver and gold. Then they bowed down to worship the figure as a god. They moved the figure from place to place. Of course they had to carry it because it could not walk.

GOD told Jeremiah that the enemy would surround Jerusalem and conquer it. GOD revealed to me in preparing this lesson that we, as a Christian, are just like the city of Jerusalem. We are surrounded by an enemy, Satan. We have CHRIST in us to protect us from the enemy but if we compromise our life through sin we make ourselves vulnerable to attack and subject to defeat. We can be led captive by the enemy until we repent and seek GOD’S forgiveness. GOD restores and rebuilds us just as HE told Jeremiah HE would do for the Israelites.

Babylon proved to be the nation GOD used to bring disaster upon Judah. Babylon is Iraq. It is interesting that region still threatens Israel today.

Let’s read Jeremiah 1:17-19:

Jr 7:17–20; 44:3–6; Dt 29:25–27 17 “Now, get ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them or I will cause you to cower before them.[10] Jr 10:2 18 Today, I am the One who has made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the population. 19 They will fight against you but never prevail over you, since I am with you to rescue you.” [This is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord’s declaration.

Okay Jeremiah, it is time to get busy. Tell them everything I have told you. Do not hold anything back but tell them everything.

Sometimes we feel intimated or bashful to tell others about JESUS. We are to present GOD’S message to others just like GOD wants it to be presented and to hold nothing back. Do not be intimidated by anyone regardless of their position in life. When GOD tells us to go, HE goes with us. HE is our strength and our confidence.

GOD makes it very clear to Jeremiah, if you are intimidated, I will cause you to cringe in fear. Jeremiah keep in mind I AM THE ONE WHO keeps you and do not let your flesh let you think otherwise. Verse 18 tells us that Jeremiah will encounter some powerful people during his ministry. GOD recognizes that such people can be intimidating to us. But Jeremiah, remember this is not about your strength but it is about ME and MY strength. It is about the message I want you to deliver on MY behalf, to warn MY people. I already know how they will respond but they need to have an opportunity to repent.

We as a Christian are fortified by GOD through the indwelling of THE HOLY SPIRIT, made possible through what CHRIST has done for us on THE CROSS. The enemy still seeks to destroy us but GOD tells us, “Greater is HE that is in us than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4:

4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One (JESUS) who is in you is greater than the one (Satan) who is in the world.

Jeremiah was in the protection of GOD because he was obeying GOD. When GOD calls us, we too are in HIS care and protection because of our obedience to HIS call.

This does not mean we will always have smooth sailing when serving our LORD but it does mean we will arrive at a safe harbor.

Has GOD called you? How we respond to HIS call depends upon what we believe about GOD. What we believe about GOD depends upon the relationship we have with GOD.

GOD’S word is like bread crumbs that lead us to an encounter with HIM.