Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1: God puts His words in Jeremiah

Begin in prayer

Before we meet the young prophet who feared speaking, let us ask the Lord to help us hear His faithful word. Ask Him to quiet our hearts, to meet with our family, and to show us Christ as we read.

I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.

Psalms 138:2

Father in heaven, open our eyes to the word You put in Jeremiah’s mouth. Help us see Jesus, who speaks what You command. Turn us from fear and make us more like Him in obedience. Please bless our family as we listen together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Jeremiah came from a priestly family in Anathoth, and God called him during King Josiah’s reign. His ministry would reach the days when Jerusalem went into captivity. Though Jeremiah feared that he was too young to speak, God put His words in his mouth. An almond branch showed that God watched over His word, and a boiling pot pictured disaster coming from the north. Judah had forsaken the LORD for handmade gods, so invading rulers would surround Jerusalem. The LORD sent Jeremiah to speak despite opposition, promising to uphold and rescue him.

As you read Jeremiah 1, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD gives His prophet words that He will fulfill.

Jeremiah’s calling began with God’s purpose before his birth, ahead of any skill Jeremiah could offer. Being set apart meant being appointed for the work of speaking God’s message to nations. His words would announce both the overthrow of kingdoms and the planting of a renewed people. Jeremiah would exercise this authority by declaring God’s word, without ruling those kingdoms himself. The almond tree flowers early, so its branch suited God’s watchfulness to carry out His word. The second picture showed where judgment would come from, as northern kingdoms advanced against Judah’s cities. Their idolatry explained this disaster, and Jeremiah had to announce it to rulers, priests and people. The LORD promised His presence in the conflict and warned Jeremiah against shrinking back.

How does Jeremiah 1 show us that the LORD gives His prophet words that He will fulfill?

God chose Jeremiah before Jeremiah could serve Him.

The LORD knew Jeremiah before forming him in the womb and appointed him as a prophet to nations (verse 5). His protest about being young could never cancel that calling. God would supply the message and direct where he went.

God will bring about the word He gives.

Uprooting and demolishing pictured judgment, while building and planting pictured restoration (verse 10). These announcements depended on the LORD’s power to carry them out. The almond branch underlined that He was watching over His word.

God equips His messenger for a hard task.

The LORD touched Jeremiah’s mouth and gave him the words to speak. Kings, priests and people would oppose him, so God pictured him as a fortified city and strong walls. He must speak everything commanded, trusting the LORD’s promised rescue (verses 17 to 19).

Memorize

I watch over my word to perform it.

Jeremiah 1:12

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, will I trust Jesus to forgive me when I ignore God’s word?

Jeremiah heard the LORD say, “I have put my words in your mouth.” God’s message would stand against nations that rejected it. Jesus also spoke the Father’s command, bringing the message of eternal life (John 12 verses 49 and 50).

We have resisted God’s word and deserve His judgment. At the cross, Jesus bore the punishment due to His people, taking their place under that judgment. He completed the whole work of redemption, with nothing left for sinners to supply. God raised Him alive on the third day.

Hear the Son whom the Father sent. Turn from your rebellion and believe in Jesus. Those who receive Him by faith are forgiven and given eternal life. His word deserves your trust even when other voices oppose it.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God’s word deserves their trust, and that He still speaks it today. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now thank the Lord that He carries out His word, and bring the heart question to Him. Invite each child to pray a short prayer, if they want to.

I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak.”

John 12:50

Father, thank You that Your word never depends on human strength for its fulfillment. Please forgive our resistance and teach each of us to trust Jesus. Help us listen when Your word corrects us this week, and give us courage to obey what You say. Amen.