10/05/25 Weekly Bible Lesson: Who Me?

Background of Text — The name Jeremiah means “YHWH exalts” or “YHWH has established.” Jeremiah may have been a descendant of the priest Abiathar, who was banished by Solomon (1 Kings 2:26-27). The “thirteenth year of his [Josiah’s] reign” would be 627 BC. Josiah died at Megiddo in 609 BC. Zedekiah reigned from 597 to 586 BC, when Babylon overran Judah and Jerusalem. 

There are five movements to a call/commissioning narrative for OT prophets: 1) a crisis in which God confronts the person; 2) the commissioning of the person for some action or message; 3) objections raised by the person in the form of inadequacy for the task; 4) assurance of God’s help; 5) a sign to confirm the commission, often with the content of the commission. Compare Jeremiah’s call to other prophetic calls (Isaiah 6:1-13; Ezekiel 1–2).  

Jeremiah protests, given his hesitancy to speak, basing this on his youth. In Jeremiah’s confessions, he continues to wrestle with and object to the idea that he is called (see  20:7-18). In verse 9, YHWH touches the mouth of Jeremiah, assuring him that God has put words in his mouth. 

God will vindicate the message of Jeremiah and all true prophets (even though the prophets might not survive; cf. 26:20-23) because they have received the Word of the Lord (1:4, 9). Preaching that Word puts true prophets at odds with proponents of religious orthodoxy (see 26:16, where people defend Jeremiah by citing Micah’s acquittal). 

Verse 10 announces the dual character of Jeremiah’s message. Words of judgment, “pluck up and pull down … destroy and overthrow,” and words of hope, “build and plant.” God’s judgment always includes grace and hope. 

Lesson 

Is it wrong to feel unqualified for certain work? How can we discern if God desires for us to serve within a certain position or ministry? 

1:6-7 — Many people feel inadequate, especially when it comes to any form of church work. This initial response places them in esteemed company. Moses questioned, “Who am I that I should go?” (Exodus 3:11). Gideon asked, “How shall I deliver Israel?” (Judges 6:15). Isaiah lamented that he “had unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5), and Peter implored the Lord to depart from him because he was a “sinful man” (Luke 5:8-10). Despite these feelings, God assured each of them that their excuses were not valid, for He would be with them. 

Jeremiah reasoned that since he was only a youth, he could not fill the role of prophet. In his mind, no one would heed his message due to his age and inexperience. Youth can refer to a child, teenager, or young adult. Estimates of Jeremiah’s age when he was called range from 17 to 25. Jeremiah had to overcome the stigma placed on the younger generation by the older. In the New Testament, Paul lists the ingredients to overcome this stigma to Timothy. He instructed him to be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity (1 Timothy 4:12). Jeremiah practiced this prescription centuries earlier, thus overcoming this hurdle in his ministry. 

There will always be hurdles to overcome in anything worth doing, but we should never let our inadequacies deter us from doing that which God has called us to do. “He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

1:8-10 — When a child is comforted by their protector, they feel a strong sense of reassurance. Jeremiah’s anxiety must have been extinguished when God assured Him that He would be with him. Not only would the Father be with him, but He would place His words in his mouth. 

What would you do if God gave that promise to you? Would you proclaim His words to a lost and dying world? Would you do so with boldness and courage? 

He has given us His words through the Bible, His completed revelation to mankind. According to Peter, His Word provides everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). God commissions us to study to show ourselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15) and instructs us to always be ready to give a defense for the faith we have (1 Peter 3:15).  

26:8-15 — The people of Judah did not respond well to Jeremiah’s message. There were at least six instances where he was threatened, persecuted, or nearly killed. Thanks be to God that Jeremiah persevered despite the dangers and hardships he faced. Centuries later, he serves as a source of strength to the church of Jesus Christ. 

How do we relate to a prophet of the Old Testament who was directly called by God? To be called is not a “shiver in your liver”—it is to see a need and have the means to meet it. Like Jeremiah, we have been called to preach to a lost and dying world. While we may not receive direct, audible calls from the Lord, we understand what His Word calls us to do. Let us get to work, despite our inadequacies. 

Closing Questions: Is there some way you could serve the Kingdom of God this week? Is there a friend or family member, outside of Christ, whom you have not shared the gospel with? Is there someone you could serve in any capacity?