1:1–19
Jeremiah's call is shown as a conversation. God spoke like a king to Jeremiah. Jeremiah's objections show he understood himself well. God answered his objections with promises and strong visions.
Study notes
Jeremiah 1
1:1–19 Section
Jeremiah was set apart by God to be a prophet. Jeremiah didn’t think he could do the work God appointed him to do.
His doubts were like the doubts that Moses had hundreds of years before (Exodus chapters 3 to 4). God told Moses to speak to the king of Egypt. Moses told God that he couldn’t speak well.
God told Jeremiah to speak to nations and kingdoms. He was to speak to the kings, officials, priests and people of the southern kingdom. Jeremiah told God that he didn’t know how to speak.
This wasn’t a problem for God. God gave Jeremiah the words to say. God warned Jeremiah that the people he spoke to would fight against him. This means that they wouldn’t listen and would try to stop him from speaking.
The vision about the pot of boiling water explained God’s main message. It was a message of judgement against the southern kingdom. It was an example of the judgement messages Jeremiah would share for many years. God didn’t want Jeremiah to be afraid of the people he spoke to. God promised to be with Jeremiah and to save him.
1:2–3
Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin are not on this list of kings. Each ruled for less than three months.
1:4–5
In his first message from the Lord, Jeremiah learned three key truths about God:
God knows everything, including each person.
He can choose people for specific tasks even before they exist.
He gives his authority to those he calls.
God chose Jeremiah for a special task and made him a prophet.
Jeremiah's work reached many nations. Although he left the kingdom of Judah only three times, people worldwide have heard or read his writings (see Jeremiah 13:4–7; 43:7–8).
1:6
Jeremiah was young (probably a teenager).
1:7–8
God encouraged Jeremiah to focus on the importance of his task. He needed to meet God's standards for a royal messenger. This included being willing to travel and faithfully delivering God's messages.
1:9
When God put his words in Jeremiah's mouth, he made Jeremiah an official royal messenger. God gave him the authority to speak publicly on his behalf.
1:11–12
The Hebrew words for "almond tree" (shaqed) and "watching" (shoqed) sound very similar. God used this connection to teach Jeremiah something important. The almond tree blooms very early, before other trees, in January or February.
When God showed Jeremiah an almond tree, he was telling him that just as the almond tree is alert and ready to bloom early, God is always alert and watching over his people. We can see this same idea of God's constant watchful care in Psalm 121:3–8.
1:13–14
Invading armies would bring terror to the people of Judah. Although Babylon was directly east of Judah, the desert between them forced the Babylonian army to attack Judah from the north. This invasion would be as destructive as rushing, boiling water
1:17
Jeremiah feared looking foolish as the Lord's messenger (see Jeremiah Book Introduction, “Literary Features: The Messenger System”). However, refusing God's command would be truly foolish.
1:18
A well-defended city could resist a siege for a long time, often until the attacking army left to handle another crisis in the empire.
1:19
declares the Lord: This statement is as powerful as a royal order (see study note on Jeremiah 2:2).
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources