What is the meaning of Jeremiah 1:7? But the LORD told me • Jeremiah’s authority begins with God’s personal word, the same source that empowered Moses (Exodus 3:4) and Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10). • Because the speaker is the Lord, the message carries unbreakable certainty—“the word of the LORD remains forever” (1 Peter 1:25). • God’s voice overrides every human limitation, echoing Isaiah 55:11 where His word always accomplishes its purpose. Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ • God forbids Jeremiah’s excuse; divine calling cancels self-doubt. • He similarly reassured other hesitant servants—Gideon felt weak (Judges 6:15-16) and Moses slow of speech (Exodus 4:10-12). • Youth is no barrier; Paul later writes, “Let no one despise your youth” (1 Timothy 4:12). • The pattern runs through Scripture: God chose the shepherd boy David (1 Samuel 16:11-13) and the young Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 1:4, 17). For to everyone I send you, you must go • The authority of the Sender defines the mission, as with Abraham who “went as the LORD had told him” (Genesis 12:4). • “Send” implies backing and presence; God soon adds, “I am with you” (Jeremiah 1:8), paralleling Matthew 28:19-20. • The mandate is unconditional; Jonah’s story (Jonah 1:1-3; 3:1-3) warns against resisting a divine commission. • Obedience brings courage—“The righteous are as bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). and all that I command you, you must speak • Jeremiah is to relay the full message, just as Ezekiel ate the scroll “written on the front and back” (Ezekiel 2:8–3:3). • Selective obedience is sin; Saul learned this when he spared Amalek’s king (1 Samuel 15:22-23). • Paul followed the same standard: “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). • Delivering every word may provoke opposition, yet God promises, “They will fight against you but will not prevail” (Jeremiah 1:19). summary Jeremiah 1:7 reveals a pattern for every servant of God: the Lord speaks with absolute authority, cancels our excuses, assigns specific people and places, and requires us to proclaim His entire message. Because the call is His, we can obey with confidence that His presence and power go with us. |
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