Messenger with a Message

Jeremiah 1:1 CSB

The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests living in Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin.

1.1-3

Who?

Jeremiah (lived in Anathoth, priest, most biographical info of any prophet)

Whom?

The people of Judah (with some alternate nations focused on at times)

When?

627-586 BC (13 yr of Josiah to Exile of Jerusalem; final 5 decades of Judah’s history; decline of Assyria & rise of Babyon)

Where?

From Anathoth, lived in Jerusalem area with exception of post Jerusalem deportation around 586BC when he went Egypt.

What?

Prophetic and priestly revelation from God; “The word of the LORD” [157 times (of 349 times in all OT)];

Why?

To warn God’s people judgement…and the vanity of reliance upon ritual and external formalism—bringing a false sense of immunity from judgment.

1.4-10

The “word” of the LORD means…? [message; event; action]

Who chose/chooses the prophets? [God]

How did this one (& many others) respond? [protest; Don’t know how to speak; Only a youth])

Well, vv. 7-10. What do we do with them? [Too often abused by young men called to ministry service…]

1.11-19

What is the significance of the almond branch? [almond (shaqed) & watch (shoqed) sound a lot alike in Hebrew; God will watch over the word He gives to Jeremiah to proclaim to His people]

What is the significance of the boiling pot? [God would bring the judgment from north to south; namely Babylon;

What does God promise about his commission, calling, and command? [vv. 17-19; he will protect those who faithfully follow Him; This is far more about allaying fear than it is about bolstering ‘harshness’]

Jer 1

Jeremiah 1:17 CSB

“Now, get ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them or I will cause you to cower before them.