71 January 2005 (Saturday)
Clarke –
Jeremiah 1 -
General title to the whole Book, Jer1:1-3. Jeremiah receives a commission to prophesy concerning nations and kingdoms, a work to which in the Divine purpose he had been appointed before his birth, Jer1:4-10. The vision of the rod of an almond tree and of the seething pot, with their signification, Jer1:11-16. Promises of Divine protection to Jeremiah in the discharge of the arduous duties of his prophetical office, Jer1:17-19.
Jer 1:5 "Jeremiah, I am your Creator, and before you were born, I chose you to speak for me to the nations."
Jer 1:6 I replied, "I'm not a good speaker, LORD, and I'm too young."
Jer 1:7 "Don't say you're too young," the LORD answered. "If I tell you to go and speak to someone, then go! And when I tell you what to say, don't leave out a word!
Jer 1:8 I promise to be with you and keep you safe, so don't be afraid."
Jer 1:9 The LORD reached out his hand, then he touched my mouth and said, "I am giving you the words to say,
Jer 1:10 and I am sending you with authority to speak to the nations for me. You will tell them of doom and destruction, and of rising and rebuilding again." (Today I have put you in charge of nations and kingdoms. You will uproot and tear down. You will destroy and overthrow. You will build and plant." GW)
Jer 1:17 Jeremiah, get ready! Go and tell the people what I command you to say. Don't be frightened by them, or I will make you terrified while they watch.
Jer 1:18 My power will make you strong like a fortress or a column of iron or a wall of bronze. You will oppose all of Judah, including its kings and leaders, its priests and people. (You're a one-man defense system against this culture, against Judah's kings and princes, against the priests and local leaders. MSG)
Jer 1:19 They will fight back, but they won't win. I, the LORD, give my word- I won't let them harm you.
(CEV)
In the same way, God has called me before I was born. Don't ever say I'm too young! When He sends me, He will give me His authority, His covering and power.
Clarke –
Jer 1:6 -
I cannot speak - Being very young, and wholly inexperienced, I am utterly incapable of conceiving aright, or of clothing these Divine subjects in suitable language. Those who are really called of God to the sacred ministry are such as have been brought to a deep acquaintance with themselves, feel their own ignorance, and know their own weakness. They know also the awful responsibility that attaches to the work; and nothing but the authority of God can induce such to undertake it. They whom God never called run, because of worldly honor and emolument: the others hear the call with fear and trembling, and can go only in the strength of Jehovah.
"How ready is the man to go,
Whom God hath never sent!
How timorous, diffident, and slow,
God's chosen instrument!"
JFB -
child-the same word is translated, "young man" (2Sa18:5). The reluctance often shown by inspired ministers of God (Exo4:10; Exo6:12, Exo6:30; Jon1:3) to accept the call, shows that they did not assume the office under the impulse of self-deceiving fanaticism, as false prophets often did.
1 Tim 4:12
(MSG) And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.
(GW) Don't let anyone look down on you for being young. Instead, make your speech, behavior, love, faith, and purity an example for other believers.