Before starting this study, take a moment to read Jeremiah 1:1-10. Although I’ll primarily be using the NIV version for the preparation of this study, you can read from whichever version you prefer.

Today’s passage marks the beginning of what will end up being a very long and fruitful journey through the Book of Jeremiah. For the next several months, we will take a look at Jeremiah every Monday and Tuesday.

Jeremiah was the son of a priest. He served as a prophet before and during the Babylonian exile. In fact, much of his ministry focused on warning the people of Judah that they needed to change or else that coming judgment would not be avoidable.

These first verses set the stage for the type of prophetic ministry Jeremiah would have. They remind the reader that Jeremiah was called by God during an exceptionally difficult time. He was called to deliver a message the people did not want to hear, but God protected him.

The Call of Jeremiah

In verse 5, God’s call to Jeremiah begins: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

God knew Jeremiah before he was born. He knew the circumstances of the nation and the circumstances of Jeremiah’s life. Jeremiah hadn’t drawn a breath or done anything else, and God had already decided to call him to serve.

Before Jeremiah could prove himself worthy of a call, God called him. That’s precisely the point, though: God doesn’t call people because of their qualifications, but because of God’s. These verses serve as a reminder that God isn’t looking for perfect people, but willing ones.

Words from God

When Jeremiah hears the call of God, he protests. This is something we see in most of the calling narratives in Scripture. God calls a person, and that person raises their objections.

Jeremiah tells God that he cannot speak because he is too young. This response certainly echoes the call of Moses, where Moses points out that his inability to speak well makes him a poor mouthpiece for God.

God doesn’t necessarily argue with that: Jeremiah is young and that probably will make it difficult for him to speak. But God promises to give Jeremiah the words to say. God isn’t calling Jeremiah to come up with the words, but to obey God by speaking them to the nations.

Instead of taking Jeremiah’s concerns as a sign that he’s unfit, God promises presence and rescue. As Jeremiah begins a very difficult ministry, he knows that God is with him. He also trusts that God will rescue him from those who will want to kill him.

Then something powerful happens: God touches Jeremiah’s mouth and says, “I have put my words in your mouth.” I love this image because I can point to the times in my life when I’ve felt God touch my lips and give me the words to speak. It’s a reminder that the words of God come from God, not from something we’ve mustered up inside of us.

Application

God still speaks to and calls us today. We may not have a ministry that looks like Jeremiah’s, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t calling us to speak into the world around us.

It doesn’t matter where we come from or what our backgrounds are because God already knows all those things when God calls us. God has a proven track record of using broken people to do extraordinary things.

Personally, I’ve always struggled with my calling. My dad had his share of demons, including drugs and alcohol. Throughout my childhood, it seemed like other people looked down on me because of it. Add to that my own personal frailties and failures… I wouldn’t be my first, second, or even hundredth choice for a pastor.

But ultimately, it isn’t about me. It isn’t about who I am, but who God is. When God calls each of us, we aren’t called to be the most qualified person in the room. We’re called to be willing to lean into God’s power as we go live out that calling.

What if we lived like we believed God was still touching our mouths today? What would it look like if we were intentional about our words, letting every word from our mouths come directly from God’s touch.

There are plenty of places in Scripture that warn us about the dangers of careless words or unwise speech. Today, let’s remember that God gives us the words to speak. It isn’t just about not saying foolish things, but about having the heart to speak the words of God.

Prayer for Today

Lord God,

Give me your words to speak. When I open my mouth, may people hear more of you and less of me. Anoint my words and my life, keeping me safe even when you send me to unsafe places. Guide me, today and every day.

Amen