Explore the Bible Lesson Preview June 5, 2011 "Accept Your Commission" Background: Jeremiah 1:1-19 Lesson: Jeremiah 1:4-14, 17-19 Motivation: Every Believer receives a calling and commission from God. By studying Jeremiah, we can learn much about God's expectation of each of us. (2 Pet. 1:10) Examination: I. Divine Commission (1-10) A. Introduction (1-3) 1. The Author "The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin" Believer's Study Bible, p. 1008: 1:1 "The phrase the words of Jeremiah' refers to both the words and the events in the personal history of the prophet Jeremiah. His hometown of Anathoth is identified in the O.T. as a priestly city (John. 21:13, 18) located in the land of Benjamin. Hilkiah, a priest of the line of Abiathar, was the father of the prophet Jeremiah. Abiathar was removed from the priesthood and exiled to Anathoth by Solomon (I Kin. 2:26)." 1 / 9
2. The Date "to whom the Word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, King of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign." (2) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1008: 1:2 "The prophetic ministry of Jeremiah is clearly dated as beginning during the reign of Josiah, the son of Amon, who began his reign in 640 B.C. Jeremiah's call came in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah, who reigned from 640 to 609 B.C. (vs. 2). This would place the beginning of Jeremiah's ministry about 626 B.C. Three important events occurred in that year: (1) Ashurbanipal, the last great king of Assyria, died; (2) The Scythians invaded Palestine; and (3) Jeremiah received a call from God for prophetic service." 3. Theme: "... unto the carrying away of Judah captive in the fifth month" ( 3) While Jeremiah urged the nation to repent of sin, he also chronicled the wickedness for which they would be judged. Josiah's reforms, which began in 622 B.C. with the discovery of the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:8-14), delayed judgment; however, the superficial nature in which God's people implemented the reforms that led to their submission and captivity by Babylon around 588 B.C. B. Assignment (4-10) 1. Jeremiah's Call "Then the Word of the Lord came to me..." (4) Believer's Study Bible, 1008: 1:5 "Jeremiah's prophetic call came as a result of a dialogue with God (cf. Is. 6). Jeremiah would encounter many false prophets, and it was important that he have the assurance that his call came directly form God. 2 / 9
God's call is based upon His knowledge ( yada', Heb.) and encompasses His sovereignty and personal selection (cf. Rom. 8:29). Furthermore, He "sanctified," ( Qadash, Heb., "set apart") and "ordained" ( natan, Heb. "appointed") Jeremiah to the prophetic office. This passage also serves as a strong biblical example against the practice of abortion (cf. Ex. 21:22) God's special purpose for Jeremiah was already in progress even before his birth." 2. Jeremiah's Youth "Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth" (6) Believer' s Study Bible, 1008: 1:6 "The Hebrew term rendered "youth" ( Na'ar ) Indicates three things about Jeremiah: (1) he was a very young man when he became conscious of God's call; (2) he felt that he lacked the strength and wisdom necessary for the task to which he was called; (3) he was inexperienced in prophetic service. However, God looks beyond human weaknesses and inadequacies (cf. Ex. 3:14, 4:10-12; 1 Sam. 16:6, 7), and the man whom God calls He will faithfully equip (cf. Zech. 4:6; 2 Cor. 12:9)." 3. Jeremiah's Mission a. A mission based on God's Word "And whatever I command you, you shall speak" (7b) Jeremiah had no right to use his inability as an excuse for service. His mission was based on God's ability; his sermons were simply God's Words. (Deut. 29:29). 3 / 9
b. A mission based on God's power " Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you' says the Lord" (8) Jeremiah was to go where he was sent (7a) and to say what he was told (7b-9). Though he could expect opposition, he was to look to God for approval rather than to people. (Heb. 13:5) c. A mission to tear down as well as build up "See I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant" (10) Believ er's Study Bible, p. 1009: 1:10 "The twofold ministry of the prophet is expressed as one of judgment and of salvation. The main verb of the verse expresses the idea that God has set the prophet over the nations and kingdoms. The phrase "set you over" is paqad (Heb.) and could be translated "make an overseer." From this position the prophet is to exercise judgment by: (1) "rooting out," (2) "pulling down," (3) "destroying," and (4) "throwing down." Yet he is also to lay a foundation for a new faith and hope by (5) "building," and (6) "planting." (Ecc. 3) II. Divine Confirmation (11-16) A. The Vision of the Almond Tree "...I see the branch of an almond tree" (11) "Then the Lord said to me, you have seen well, for I am ready to perform My Word'" (12) Believers Study Bible, 1009: 1:11& 12 "Here there is a play on two words which are very similar in appearance and pronunciation "Almond tree" or 4 / 9
"the watcher" (v. 11) is a rendering of the Hebrew word shaqed. The Hebrew term translated "I am ready" (v. 12) is shoqed. The ancients often arranged words cleverly by changing the sense of a word through altering a letter, or by playing upon words similar in sound or sense. As Jeremiah observed the almond tree, he was reminded of God's message that divine surveillance accompanies divine pronouncement." B. The vision of the Boiling Pot "I see a boiling pot and it is facing from the north" (13) 1. A Picture of Destruction "Out of the north calamity shall break forth" (14a) The word picture of a boiling pot brings images of danger and perhaps rage; we speak of a person's anger "boiling over." Destruction for Israel also came from the north (Assyria). 2. A Picture of Babylon " For behold, I am calling all the families of the kingdoms of the north,' says the Lord; they shall come and each one set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem against all its walls all around. And against all the cities of Judah.'" (15) Babylon's invasion and conquest of Judah resulted in Jerusalem's destruction in 586 B.C. (Zech. 2:6; Ezek. 38) 3. A Picture of God's Judgment "I will utter My judgments against them concerning all their wickedness's, because they have forsaken Me, burned incense to other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands" 5 / 9
(16) Clearly, Babylon is simply a tool of God's judgment. Judah is bringing punishment upon herself due to rebellion and idol worship. (Isa. 44:17-18; Deut. 18:9) III. Divine Challenge (17-19) A. A Commission to Prepare "therefore prepare yourself and arise..." ( 17) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1010: 1:17 "The phrase prepare yourself' could be rendered gird up your loins.' This suggests the gathering up of the long flowing robes worn by the men of the East as they tied the cumbersome robe around the waist in preparation for hand-to-hand combat. Here the phrase is used metaphorically to suggest needful preparation for the fierce and intense conflict to come. Furthermore, the phrase may be suggestive of the readiness of the mind' which is demanded of the one who is entering the prophetic ministry, or for that matter any Christian service (cf. 1 Pet. 1:13). From God's perspective there are no other options for the one whom He has called to do His work (Ex. 4:10-14; Prov. 1:24-32; Eph. 6:14; Phil 2:5)." B. A Commission to Preach "And speak to them all that I command you" (17) A preacher (or teacher) has authority only in that they relay God's Word. They are not to hold back; but, rather, to proclaim all that God commands. However, when they move beyond scripture to express personal opinions, they also move out of the realm of God's authority. (Acts 20:27) 6 / 9
C. A Commission to Persevere "Do not be dismayed before their faces. Les t I dismay you before them" (17b) Jeremiah was warned in advance to expect opposition. He is known to this day as "the weeping prophet"; so, he certainly faced more than his share of rejection. He was to persevere through times of opposition; any show of fear on his part would result in God's empowerment leaving him in a time of need. (Josh 1:8) D. A Commission of Power "For behold, I have made you this day a fortified city and an iron pillar (18)... They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you." (19) Jeremiah was not to minister in his own strength but rather in God's power. Although he was to expect "warfare", he was guaranteed victory in the Lord. (2 Cor. 10:4) E. A Commission with Promise " For I am with you' says the Lord, to deliver you'" (19) For every "go", God gives a "lo, I am with you" (Matt. 28:19-20). His power and protection are contained in His presence. Believ er's Study Bible: p. 1010: 1:17-19 "Several crucial truths about service to God emerge from Jeremiah's commission: (1) Jeremiah's message was only to consist of what God had commanded; (2) of that which God had commanded, all was to be told; (3) in his mission, Jeremiah was not to be dismayed by the responses of the people, whether of condescension or threat; nor was he to be discouraged over the pain of being reduced to confusion before those to whom he was sent (v. 17); (4) Jeremiah's confidence was based upon God's promise to make the prophet invincible (v. 18); and (5) the prophet was promised opposition, but he was also promised victory by the hand of God. 7 / 9
Application: 1. God empowers those whom He calls. (Acts 1:8) 2. Our only authority is contained in speaking God's Word. (John 17:17) 3. Opposition to God's work is to be expected but is not to be dismaying. (Rom 8:29-39; 2 Tim. 1:7) Leader Pack: Item 1: Lesson Illustrations; Item 2: Map: Jeremiah's World; Item 3: Key Events in Jeremiah and Lamentations; Item 4: Poster: Unit 1 Biblical Illustrator: p. 22: "Jeremiah in its Historical Setting" Notes: **You may access David's Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: www.hfbcbiblestudy.org; Dates: 2011: 5/29 - Memorial Day Weekend, normal sched. - David Self preaching; 5/30 - Church offices closed for Holiday; 6/2-8/4 - MetroLIVE - Thursdays; 6/3 - Children's Summer Kickoff; 6/3 - Parents Night Out; 6/3-4 - RUSHAPALOOZA for MS & HS; 6/9-12 8 / 9
- Camp 456; 6/12 - Make it Your Church; 6/20-24 - VBS; 6/25 - SPF Noah's Ark Water Fun (away); 6/29 - A Midsummer Night's Thing; 7/3 - July 4 th weekend - usual sched.; 7/4 - Church offices closed for Holiday; 7/9-1 & 2 grade Family Fun Day at Hunt; 7/9 - Men Pray Event; 7/10-14 - Houston Project; 7/18-22 - Summer Week of Choir; 7/22-30 - RUSH Week for 7 th - 12 th. 9 / 9