Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19
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charge is made for viewing. Catholic Lectionary. (2009).
Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.1:4-5, 17-19A prophet to the
nations
1
4 The word of the LORD came to me thus:5 Before I formed you in
the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a
prophet to the nations I appointed you.17 But do you gird your
loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you. Be not
crushed on their account, as though I would leave you crushed
before them;
18 For it is I this day who have made you a fortified city,A
pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land:Against
Judahs kings and princes, against its priests and people.19 They
will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you
to deliver you, says the LORD.
It is thought that Jeremiah was about 20 years old when God
called him in the thirteenth year of Josiah (626 B.C.).Jeremiah
came from a long line of priests and was also expected to become a
priest.Serving as a prophet was much more demanding than serving as
a priest because priesthood was a predictable occupation.Priest
preserved the past by conducting Temple services and administering
the religious laws.When prophets saw people going in the wrong
direction they tried to bring them back to the right path and thus
being a prophet was a difficult and unpopular task.Priests were
supported by the sacrifices and offerings of the people but
prophets didnt have a guaranteed income.Jeremiah was full of
self-doubt but as verse 5 points out God had chosen him for the
task ahead even before his conception.
When God chooses you for a task, parenthood, fireman, grocer,
etc., He will also provide you with the necessary grace to
accomplish the task.God chose St. Paul to bring the Gospel to the
Gentiles and Paul had self-doubts.1 Cor. 15:9-10 For I am the least
of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I
persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what
I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I
worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace
of God which is with me.To claim the inability to answer Gods call
due to personal weakness is a sign of pride NOT humility.The humble
say yes and trust the Lord to provide them with the needed graces
to successfully accomplish the task ahead.
What we are is Gods gift to us; what we do with it is our gift
to Him.God gave Jeremiah three instructions, Go to whomever I send
you (1.7)Whatever I command you to speak you shall speak (1.7) Have
no fear of the people because I am with you (1:8)When surrounded by
enemies Jeremiah would be like
a fortified city which could not be conquered (1:18).If he were
forced to stand alone he would be as strong as an iron pillar
(1:18).When attacked on all sides he would be as unbending as a
bronze wall (1:18).Jeremiah had faith in God that was strong enough
to proclaim His word without worrying about his own popularity.
Throughout history, Gods servants have been persecuted.Jeremiah
was imprisoned, Peter and Paul were martyred, Stephen was stoned
but through it all they had a faith strong enough to challenge all
that society could throw at them.It isnt easy to stand alone, to
resist the crowd, and to be opposed to the popular philosophies and
values ofthe day but when we publicly state Gods word, His truth,
the Lord will be with us to help and to defend us.
