What does "you must go to everyone I send you" imply about obedience? Setting the Scene Jeremiah 1:7: “But the LORD said to me: ‘Do not say, “I am only a youth,” for to everyone I send you, you must go, and whatever I command you, you must speak.’” Key Phrase in Focus “You must go to everyone I send you” shows that the prophet’s mission is not self-chosen but God-assigned. The Lord determines both the destination and the audience; Jeremiah’s part is simply to obey. Obedience Defined by the Text • Undelayed—The verb “must” indicates urgency. Obedience begins when God speaks, not when it feels convenient. • Unselective—“Everyone” leaves no room for personal preference. Whether the audience is receptive or hostile, Jeremiah is to go. • Unedited—The companion command, “whatever I command you, you must speak,” rules out softening or reshaping God’s message. • Unafraid—Verse 8 follows: “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you.” Fear is answered by God’s promised presence. Why “Everyone” Matters • God’s sovereignty: He alone appoints the fields of service (cf. Acts 9:15). • Universal need: Every person or nation requires God’s word (cf. Romans 3:23). • Equality before God: Social status, culture, or age does not exempt anyone from hearing truth (cf. Colossians 3:11). • Witness to God’s character: His love and justice reach all people, so His servants must as well (cf. Jonah 4:2, 11). Immediate Applications for Us Today • Go where He sends—whether next door or across the ocean. • Speak what He says—Scripture, not opinion, carries authority. • Trust His presence—opposition is inevitable, but so is His help. • Refuse excuses—age, background, or skill gaps cannot override a divine directive. Scriptural Reinforcements • Matthew 28:19: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” • Acts 1:8: “You will be My witnesses… to the ends of the earth.” • 1 Peter 3:15: “Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks…” • James 1:22: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only…” Wrapping Up in Confidence The command “you must go to everyone I send you” makes obedience a non-negotiable response to God’s lordship. When He dispatches, we move. Our confidence rests not in personal ability but in the unchanging promise that the Sender goes with us. |
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