Like every human in history, Jeremiah came into the world kicking and screaming and his parents couldn’t be more filled with joy. He was born, as time was marked, in the 13 year of King Josiah’s reign. Jeremiah’s dad was the high priest Hilkiah which made for a natural place of influence for Jeremiah.
The town he was born was called Anathoth. This was a bit of a suburb of Jerusalem that was a set apart town for the Levites and priests to live (Josh 21:18). But it was also a town of great beauty. Anathoth is filled with almond trees and every year even to this day, the beauty of the blossoms which are the first to bloom in spring are a sight to behold.
In the time he was born it was pivotal moments for Israel. The nation had previously been split into two with the majority of the land going to the northern kingdom who kept the name Israel. And the tribe of Judah and the small tribe of Benjamin in the south which took on the name Judah. Josiah was king, having ascended the throne at age 8, and actually was a righteous and good leader. But the problem was the people.
The people had persisted in worshiping other gods. The other gods threw off sexual restraint and allowed for child sacrifice (nothing has changed even today). Because of that the people flocked to the gods and would not repent. Time and time again God sent prophets warning them to repent, but they did not listen. Surely God wouldn’t do anything.
At the time Jeremiah was called, the prophet Zephaniah and prophetess Zuldah were already in the fray, warning the people. They didn’t much listen to them. Jeremiah was going to be one of the last prophets God would use to bring warning. He didn’t want to bring judgment, but if they would not listen, he would do so.
For 40 years Jeremiah would warn the people. They never did listen. And so for 40 years Jeremiah preached, pleaded and prayed but in the end, the nation would be captured and deported to Babylon.
But back to how it began. In the 13th year the Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah:
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Purpose precedes creation. Need precedes invention. And this was the case here. Prior to God forming Jeremiah in the womb, he had a call, a mission for him. He was created and appointed as a prophet to the nations.
Jeremiah’s response? Ah no, Lord. I’m too young.
And it’s understandable. Who would listen to a young man bringing warning? Especially and including the fact that he was single man, not allowed to marry (Jer 16:2)?
But God does not accept the excuses of man. He chooses the weak things of the world to shame the wise. So the Lord told Jeremiah to go wherever he told him to go. To say what he told him to say. The Lord touched his mouth and gave him the ability to speak on His behalf.
Then he gave Jeremiah two visions. The first? An almond tree
11 The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?”
“I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied.
12 The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”
Why an almond tree? Of course it would resonate deeply with his soul that was in Anathoth, a city full of almond trees. But it was more than that.
- The Almond tree is the first to bloom in spring. God was saying he would do this soon.
- God was watching to see his Word was fulfilled.
- The almond branch was prophetic. It was how God demonstrated that Moses was his chosen servant in Numbers 17. The people were grumbling against Moses, wondering who made him leader. So God had them put the names of the leaders on almond branches. The next day, it was only Moses’ branch that not only bloomed but had produced almonds. God, just like he did Moses, was affirming Jeremiah’s call.
The next vision was of a boiling pot. It was tilted away from the north and being poured out upon Judah.
13 The word of the Lord came to me again: “What do you see?”
“I see a pot that is boiling,” I answered. “It is tilting toward us from the north.”
14 The Lord said to me, “From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land.
This was God’s message, to Jeremiah and to Judah. He was preparing disaster to come in from the north, to be poured out upon the land of Judah. Just as disaster had overtaken the northern kingdom of Israel by its northern enemies of Assyria, so the same would happen to Judah. Why?
6 I will pronounce my judgments on my people
because of their wickedness in forsaking me,
in burning incense to other gods
and in worshiping what their hands have made.
Then God proclaims to Jeremiah these forceful words:
“Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand 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 will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Now think about it for a minute. Judah was fairly small. Every one knew every one else. The kid, Jeremiah was being asked to stand up to the king of the day or whoever was in office, it’s leaders, the priests which were his own family and friends, and the people of the land. Talk about walking into a storm of hate. I’m sure they indeed asked, “Who do you think you are?!”
It’s one thing to stand up to people far away. Something entirely different to stand up to those living next door.
But God stands to stand up. To speak what he has commanded. And to call the people to repentance.
I’m sure Jeremiah thought that they would never listen to him. And he was right. They didn’t.
