1
These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah,
of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin.
2
In the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah,
in the thirteenth year of his reign,
the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah.
3
It came also in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah,
until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah, king of Judah,
until the people of Jerusalem were carried away into exile in the fifth month.
4
The word of the LORD came to me, saying:
5
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you,
and before you came forth from the womb, I set you apart;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
6
Then I said:
“Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am still young.”
7
But the LORD said to me:
“Do not say, ‘I am still young,’
but to whomever I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8
Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the LORD.”
9
Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth;
the LORD said to me:
“Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
10
See, today I appoint you
over nations and over kingdoms
to uproot and to tear down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.”
11
After this the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
“What do you see, Jeremiah?”
And I answered: “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.”
13
The word of the LORD came to me a second time, saying:
“What do you see?”
And I answered: “I see a boiling pot, and it is coming from the north.”
14
Then the LORD said to me:
“From the north disaster will break forth
upon all the inhabitants of this land.
15
For behold, I am calling
all the families of the kingdoms of the north, declares the LORD,
and they shall come and set each one his throne
at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem,
against all its surrounding walls
and against all the cities of Judah.
16
And I will pronounce My judgments against them
because of all their evil,
for they have forsaken Me,
by burning offerings to other gods
and bowing down to the work of their own hands.
17
But you, prepare yourself;
stand up and speak to them
all that I command you.
Do not be dismayed before them,
or I will dismay you before them!”
18
As for Me, behold, today
I have made you a fortified city,
a pillar of iron, and walls of bronze
against all this land,
against the kings of Judah and its officials,
against its priests and the people of the land.
19
They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the LORD.”
📜🔥👶 Summary of Jeremiah 1 – The Prophet’s Call from the Womb and the Burning Charge
Jeremiah 1 tells how God called Jeremiah to be a prophet — even from the womb, God had known him and appointed him to speak the word of God to the nations. Though Jeremiah felt afraid and unready, God assured him with the promise of His presence and the power of His word. This chapter is an important opening to the whole book of Jeremiah: a young prophet with a great calling, facing a stubborn people.
📌 1. God Appoints from the Womb (verses 1–5)
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you…”
“I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
- God calls Jeremiah personally and before his birth
- This calling is not a personal choice, but a divine appointment
🎯 Every life has a divine purpose — God knows and calls even before we are born.
📌 2. Jeremiah’s Fear and Objection (verses 6–8)
“Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am still young!”
- Jeremiah felt unworthy and not yet able
- God answered:
“Do not say: I am still young!”
“I am with you… do not be afraid!”
🎯 God’s calling does not depend on age or skill, but on His presence and obedience.
📌 3. The Lord Touches Jeremiah’s Mouth (verses 9–10)
“Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.”
- The Lord gives spiritual authority to Jeremiah
- Jeremiah’s task is:
To uproot and tear down
To destroy and overthrow
To build and to plant
🎯 The word of the Lord has power to expose sin and to build restoration.
📌 4. The Two Early Visions (verses 11–16)
- The vision of the almond branch: a sign that the Lord is **”watching” over His word
- The vision of a boiling pot from the north: a prophecy of the coming judgment from Babylon
🎯 The Lord watches over to fulfill His word — judgment will come upon disobedience.
📌 5. The Command to Stand Firm (verses 17–19)
“Do not be afraid of them… I have made you like a fortified city…”
- The Lord gives assurance:
Jeremiah will be like a wall of iron against the whole land
The enemy will oppose him, but will not overcome him
Because the Lord Himself is with him
🎯 The servant of the Lord is called to stand firm, not to flee from challenges.
📖 Main Teaching
- The Lord has a special plan for every person, even before birth
- Unworthiness is not a reason to refuse God’s call — the Lord is with you
- God’s word exposes and builds up — it must be spoken as it is
- Challenges are part of ministry, but God’s presence is the guarantee of victory
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…”
➡️ Like Jeremiah, we were created with a divine purpose from the beginning.
“God chose the weak to shame the strong…”
➡️ Limitations are not an obstacle, but a vessel for God’s power.
“The Spirit of my Father will speak through you.”
➡️ The Lord puts His word in the mouths of His disciples, as with Jeremiah.
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season…”
➡️ Like Jeremiah, we are called to proclaim the truth, even when it is not popular.
🎯 Jesus, like Jeremiah, also wept over Jerusalem, was rejected by His people, yet remained faithful in proclaiming the truth.
🕊️ “Before I formed you… I knew you.” – Jeremiah 1:5
🕊️ “Do not say: I am still young!” – Jeremiah 1:7
🕊️ “I have put My word in your mouth.” – Jeremiah 1:9
🕊️ “They will oppose you, but they will not overcome you.” – Jeremiah 1:19
