Despite the Lord’s assurance that Jeremiah had been divinely chosen for this task, the young man was frightened and didn’t feel up to it. Perhaps knowing the spiritual state of people at the time, which wasn’t good, and knowing what needed to be done, Jeremiah didn’t want the job. Compare Jeremiah 1:6 with Isaiah 6:5 and Exodus 4:10–15. What common points do all these incidents have?
None of those men, for whatever reasons, felt up to the task. Perhaps that was a crucial prerequisite for the job of a prophet: a sense of one’s own unworthiness and inability for such a crucial and important task. A spokesman for the Creator? No wonder they all shrank from the task, at least at first.
Notice Jeremiah’s first response after being called. He immediately talked about his inability to speak well, as did Moses. Isaiah, too, in his response, made mention of his mouth, his lips. In all cases, they knew that, whatever else their calling involved, it would involve speaking and communication. They were going to get messages from God and, as such, would be responsible for proclaiming those messages to others.
Unlike today, where they could build a Web site or send a text message, this communication would so often have to be face to face. Imagine having to stand before hostile leaders or unruly people and give them sharp words of rebuke and warning. The reluctance of these soon-to-be prophets is understandable.
Read Jeremiah 1:7–10. What is God’s response to Jeremiah? Why should that response hold some hope and promise for us in whatever we believe we have been called by God to do?
Adventist Sabbath School Lesson for Adults
Q4 2015 «Jeremiah»
Lesson 1 – The Prophetic Calling of Jeremiah
