In history we find those prominent figures who are considered men and women of destiny. In the Bible we find those who are men and women of destiny. We will look at one such man of destiny, the prophet Jeremiah. He was called in a day of crises.
The call to serve God is different in many cases, but there is a common element in the call. It gives the individual a sense of destiny and purpose. Not only is God’s call different to each individual, but each called man and woman of God responds differently.
Some who are called give resistance to their call. That is the case with Moses, Gideon, and Jeremiah. It was important that Jeremiah had a sense of call because of the tremendous difficulty he would face living out his call of God. At every stage of his suffering for following what God instructed him to do he knew he was under a divine mandate.
Let’s compare the calling of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:1-19), with the call of two other major prophets, Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:1-2:9) and Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-13).
Regarding a glorious heavenly vision:
For Ezekiel the heavens were opened, and he saw visions of God. The Word of the Lord came expressly to Ezekiel the priest. The call came with a storm wind from the north. There were flashing lights and something like glowing metal. There were fantastic figures representing four living beings each with four faces and four wings. There was a throne with fire and the appearance of a man surrounded by radiance which was the glory of the Lord.
For Isaiah
The Lord was seated on His throne lofty and exalted with Seraphim above the Lord each with six wings. These Seraphim crying out Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts. The burning coal was touched to the lips of Isaiah. The Lord asked who shall I send and who will go.
Jeremiah’s call was not as outwardly manifested. It was simply the Word of the Lord came to him. For Jeremiah it was his destiny that was emphasized. Before he was formed in the womb the Lord had this plan for him. That Jeremiah was appointed a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah is not to be afraid because the Lord will deliver him. He is to go everywhere the Lord commands and speak everything the Lord will say.
Called to:
Ezekiel: to a rebellious people.
Isaiah: an insensitive people
Jeremiah: I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations. The hand of the Lord touches the lips of Jeremiah.
Then the Lord stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. (Jeremiah 1:9)
See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms,
To root out and to tear down,
To destroy and to overthrow,
To build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:10)
The differing response:
Ezekiel was filled with a sense of awe and fell on his face.
Isaiah: Here am I send me. He asked how long?
Jeremiah, I do not know how to speak. I am too young.
God has this call for Jeremiah even before his conception.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
And before you were born I consecrated you;
I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
Jeremiah was from a priestly family. His father was a priest. This call for Jeremiah is very different. Instead of a priest Jeremiah is called to be a prophet. The calling of priest was passed along on the family. Jeremiah should have been a priest, but God appointed him as a prophet.
The call of God was revealed to Jeremiah while he was still very young. Jeremiah said I am a youth or some versions, I am only a child. Jeremiah was probably between 19-25 years old when he was called. If he would be a priest as he had planned those duties would not start for him until the age of thirty.
Then I said, “Oh, Lord GOD!
Behold, I do not know how to speak,
Because I am a youth.”
7 But the LORD said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’
Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, (Jeremiah 1:6-7)
Jeremiah was to proclaim a message of judgement, but also Jeremiah would declare a message of salvation.
Jeremiah’s message would prepare the people for God’s new work.
Jeremiah was reluctant to God’s call of prophet and God had a response for Jeremiah’s reluctance. I send you. I command you to speak. I am with you. I will rescue you.
Jeremiah had to decide to believe and trust God. You may see your life as one that has a purpose or a plan of God. I hope so because God does have a purpose and plan for you if you will listen to God. He still calls and uses ordinary people who feel inadequate. God still expects obedience.
Jeremiah’s call came in a day of crises. When Jeremiah was called, he sees two visions. God gave Jeremiah these visions to impress on him the urgency of the hour and the importance of his call.
The first vision was the branch of the almond tree.
11 And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” 12 Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.” (Jeremiah 1:11-12)
The almond tree was first to bloom in the spring and put forth red flowers. This expresses the waking and watching the Lord was doing and calling Jeremiah to proclaim. God is aware of what is going on and is about to act. It will take a man of God to discern what God is about to do.
The second vision that is part of Jeremiah’s call is the boiling pot tilting away from the north.
And the word of the LORD came to me a second time, saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a boiling pot, facing away from the north.” 14 Then the LORD said to me, “Out of the north the evil will be unleashed on all the inhabitants of the land. 15 For, behold, I am calling all the families of the kingdoms of the north,” declares the LORD; “and they will come and place, each one of them, his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all its walls around, and against all the cities of Judah. (Jeremiah 1:13-15)
This is the vision of judgement. The war and destruction will come from the north. Jerusalem is most vulnerable to attack from the north and the vision is telling of the vulnerabilities exploited by the enemy. This is the judgement of the nations because they forsook God.
The aspects of their wickedness that brings on this judgement is specific.
16 And I will pronounce My judgments against them concerning all their wickedness, since they have abandoned Me and have offered sacrifices to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands. (Jeremiah 1:16)
All of this amounted to a call of Jeremiah to warn the people.
Now, belt your garment around your waist and arise, and speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed before them, or I will make you dismayed before them. (Jeremiah 1:17)
Get yourself ready Jeremiah. Belt your garment around your waist, gird up your loins. It is the equivalent of roll up your sleeves. Part of Jeremiah’s call is a call to get ready. Stand up and speak to this people.
Jeremiah will need strength. God told him it would be difficult. God gave him the assurance.
Now behold, I have made you today like a fortified city and like a pillar of iron and walls of bronze against the whole land, (Jeremiah 1:18a)
God would give Jeremiah strength. The strength would be like a fortified city. He would have the stability of an iron pillar. He would experience the safety of a bronze wall. Jeremiah can go forth knowing the Lord is with him in all accounts.
We have great assurance in the presence of God in our life. That will always be needed to fulfill the call of God to a God sized task. The people want a message of peace and Jeremiah is called to preach a message of doom. There will be opposition from all ranks.
to the kings of Judah, to its leaders, to its priests, and to the people of the land. 19 And they will fight against you (Jeremiah 1:18b- 19a)
The kings wanted a prophet who would preach safety. The priest wanted a message of stability and the people wanted to hear a message of safety. They will not overcome Jeremiah.
And they will fight against you but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to save you,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 1:19)
Jeremiah had God’s power and God’s power cannot be overcome. We will all face difficulty when we stand and speak for God. Face your call with courage because when you are called of God you have the presence and power of God with you.
