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Summary

Jeremiah 1:1–3 – Superscription

What happens: The book opens with Jeremiah’s background. He is a priest from Anathoth. His ministry spans the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah until the exile.

What it means: The setting roots Jeremiah’s words in real history. God speaks into specific times and rulers, showing his rule over nations and seasons.

Jeremiah 1:4–10 – Call and Commission

What happens: God tells Jeremiah he knew him before birth and appointed him a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah protests that he is too young. God touches his mouth and puts his words there, appointing him to uproot and plant, to tear down and build.

What it means: God’s call is sovereign and purposeful. Human weakness does not stop God’s mission. The word of God both judges and restores, revealing God as holy and merciful.

Jeremiah 1:11–12 – Almond Branch Sign

What happens: Jeremiah sees an almond branch. God says he is watching over his word to perform it.

What it means: God is alert and active. His promises and warnings come true, underscoring his faithfulness.

Jeremiah 1:13–16 – Boiling Pot from the North

What happens: Jeremiah sees a boiling pot tilting from the north. God says disaster will come from northern kingdoms because Judah has forsaken him and worshiped idols.

What it means: Judgment is not random. Sin has consequences. God is just and keeps covenant warnings.

Jeremiah 1:17–19 – Strengthened to Stand

What happens: God tells Jeremiah to get ready and speak everything he commands. He makes Jeremiah like a fortified city. People will fight him but will not overcome him because God is with him.

What it means: God equips his servants to endure opposition. Courage flows from God’s presence and promise, not from popularity.

Application

  • Receive God’s calling with trust even when you feel unqualified.
  • Let God’s word shape what you tear down and what you build up in life.
  • Stand firm when truth meets resistance, relying on God’s presence.

Bible

1The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:

2To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

3It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.

4Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

5Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

6Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

7But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

8Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

9Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

10See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

11Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.

12Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

13And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.

14Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.

15For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.

16And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.

17Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.

18For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.

19And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.

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