Jeremiah 1 contains Jeremiah’s call to the preaching ministry. God calls and ordains him through two visions.
Key Verse: Jeremiah 1 :10 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.”
The Prophet’s Call, vv. 4-10
A. God’s Plan
B. Jeremiah’s Objection, v. 6
C. God’s Command, vv. 7-8
D. Jeremiah’s Ordination, vv. 9-10
The Prophet’s Visions, vv. 11-16
A. The Almond Tree
1. Shaqed = almond tree, the first tree to bloom in spring
2. Shaqad = hasten, watchful
3. God watches over His word and will hasten it to fruition.B. The Boiling Pot
1. Naphach = seething
2. Pathach = break forth
3. Just as a boiling pot tilted toward the south, so God will cause judgment to pour out upon Judah because of their spiritual adultery.The Prophet’s Commission, vv. 17-19
A. “Gird up thy loins” = Put on your big boy’s pants.
B. “Speak . . . what I command thee” = Preach the Word.
C. Don’t be afraid; I will deliver thee.
1. God fortifies us and puts steel and brass in our backs to withstand the majority's hatred.
2. If we fear and falter, God will put us to shame, v. 17b.