v.1-10
Ob and In:
1. The Introduction of the book v.1-3 includes the introduction of Jeremiah's family, priesthood, location, and timeframe that God's message came to him:
v.2 The LORD’S message came to him in the 13th year...
3a The LORD also spoke to him when...
v.3b he continued to speak to him until...
(BKC) Jeremiah was born a priest, but began functioning as a prophet when he received the word of the LORD. A prophet was one through whom God spoke directly to His people. God’s call of Jeremiah came in the 13th year of the reign of Josiah. Josiah became king of Judah in 640 B.C., so his 13th year was 627 B.C. Josiah was the last righteous king of Judah. After his untimely death in 609 B.C., every king who ascended Judah’s throne was unworthy of the task. Jeremiah continued as God’s spokesman down to the fifth month of the 11th year of Zedekiah. That date was July–August 586 B.C. Thus Jeremiah’s ministry lasted at least 41 years. However, this verse probably refers to Jeremiah’s ministry to the nation of Judah until the people of Jerusalem went into exile because 39:11–44:30 records events of Jeremiah’s ministry that occurred after August 586.
Reflection: The time period of Jeremiah's prophecy was not chosen by him, but how long did God spoke to him. Although I am not a prophet, but I am willing to let God to decide my ministry period in my life.
2. v.4-10 includes the calling, refusal of Jeremiah, and finally the refusal of the LORD to the refusal of Jeremiah.
Most verbs were recorded in v.5, and 10
v.5 Before I formed you in your mother’s womb I chose you.
Before you were born I set you apart.
I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.”
I chose you (BKC) The word knew (yāḏa‘) means far more than intellectual knowledge. It was used of the intimate relations experienced by a husband and wife (“lay,” Gen. 4:1) and conveyed the sense of a close personal relationship (“chosen,” Amos 3:2) and protection (“watches over,” Ps. 1:6). Before Jeremiah was conceived God had singled him out to be His spokesman to Israel.
I set you apart. (BKC) Jeremiah had been set … apart for this ministry. The verb translated “set apart” (qāḏaš) means setting something or someone apart for a specific use...God had marked Jeremiah from conception and reserved him for a special task.
Reflection: God has all the right to refuse Jeremiah's refusal, for who knows Jeremiah better? He himself or His Creator? Our Creator has a plan for me. Sometimes I may not like it, but God knows better than I do. In my life, I am willing to submit to Him and trust Him that He knows better.
v.10b ...they will be uprooted and torn down, destroyed and demolished, rebuilt and firmly planted.”
(NET) These three pairs represent the twofold nature of Jeremiah’s prophecies, prophecies of judgment and restoration.
Summary and Reflection: The nations will go through a process to change. The way they were needed to be uprooted, change from the root. Then completely torn down/break its power (BDB), destroyed/put to death/in judgment (BDB) and demolished/throw down, tear down (BDB). 3-4 words to describe the completely breaking down. Their sins are deep rooted and completely unacceptable to God. How about me? Which part of me need to go through this process?
Not only being rebuilt, but be established (BDB).
v.11-19
Ob and In:
1. The first vision v.11-12
(NET) There is a play on the Hebrew word for “almond tree” (שָׁקֵד, shaqed), which blossoms in January/February and is the harbinger of spring, and the Hebrew word for “watching” (שֹׁקֵד, shoqed), which refers to someone watching over someone or something in preparation for action. The play on words announces the certainty and imminence of the LORD carrying out the covenant curses of Lev 26 and Deut 28 threatened by the earlier prophets.
2. 2nd vision v.13-14
a. The sequence: the vision v.13, the meaning v.14, the details v.15. the summary and the reason v.16
v.14 Then the LORD said, “This means destruction will break out on all who live in the land.
(NET) Once again the significance of the vision is spelled out.
b. This message included a very unwelcome future with all the details and also the exposure of the sins of the people. Therefore, at the beginning of the next section, God said, "But you..." v.17
3. God spoke to Jeremiah v.17-19
God gave Jeremiah a tough job, but He did not want him to back off, but get ready for it v.17. On the other hand, God will also help him to make him strong to stand up against the opposition by giving him His presence v.19.
19 They will attack you but they will not be able to overcome you, for I will be with you to rescue you,” says the LORD.
Reflection: God did not let Jeremiah to give up, but He also provide him with the help to resist. Life is not meant to be comfortable, but finishing mission. Pray that I will be strong in the Lord.
God's presence will make Jeremiah strong like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall. Do I believe that? I may not be an able person, but God can make me a strong person.
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