Jeremiah 12:5-6 (MSG) "“So, Jeremiah, if you’re worn out in this footrace with men,
what makes you think you can race against horses?
And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm,
what’s going to happen when troubles break loose
like the Jordan in flood?
Those closest to you, your own brothers and cousins,
are working against you.
They’re out to get you. They’ll stop at nothing.
Don’t trust them, especially when they’re smiling."
what makes you think you can race against horses?
And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm,
what’s going to happen when troubles break loose
like the Jordan in flood?
Those closest to you, your own brothers and cousins,
are working against you.
They’re out to get you. They’ll stop at nothing.
Don’t trust them, especially when they’re smiling."
Jeremiah received his call from God to prophesy against Israel’s idolatry, at a young age. The King James uses the word “Child” in verse 6 of chapter 1, and other versions say “youth”; it is estimated he was about 20 years old. Although he actually received his calling as a young man, notice that God begins by telling Jeremiah that he was literally born for this task. (1:4,5)
You were born for a task as well. God has a destiny for you too. Even before you were formed in your mothers womb, God knew you. God destined you for greatness.
After informing Jeremiah that he was born and destined for just this time and this task, the Lord then goes on to give him all the assurance that anyone should ever need.
“Now, gird up you loins, and arise, and speak
to them all which I command you. Do not be
dismayed before them, lest I dismay you
before them.
Now behold, I have made you today as a
fortified city, and as a pillar of iron and as
walls of bronze against the whole land, to the
kings of Judah, to its princes, to its priests
and to the people of the land. And they will
fight against you, but they will not overcome you,
for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord”
So Jeremiah begins his work. He is prophesying against the kings of Judah and their princes and her priests, and all the people, for their idolatry and their spiritual adultery.
It appears as though his preaching has been primarily in and around his home town of Anathoth; because when we get to chapter eleven we find that the men of Anathoth have already told Jeremiah not to prophesy in the name of the Lord, and have even threatened to kill him if he does.
Sadly, it is revealed in Chapter 12 vs 6, that even his own father and brothers are plotting against him, and the Lord warns Jeremiah not to believe their ‘nice’ things that they say.
Jesus later said that a prophet is not without honor except in his home town, and in his own household.
He was referring to Himself, of course, because He was in Nazareth at the time, and the folks who knew Him as Joseph and Mary’s boy would not receive Him.
But I wonder if He had Jeremiah on His mind when He said it.
Here is a lesson for you, believer in Christ.
You have a duty as a loved one to tell your unsaved friends and family about Jesus; and to continue to pray for them. But don’t be discouraged when they reject you. Jesus and the prophets before Him were rejected by those closest to them; but their converts came from elsewhere.
Tell the gospel in obedience to Him; don’t let any man tell you to be quiet...even if they threaten you.
The Lord’s promise in Jeremiah 1:17-19 (which I read a couple of minutes ago) applies to you also!
Well, by chapter 12 Jeremiah is getting a little discouraged. He has come down with a case of the “Why”s and the “How long”s.
“WHY has the way of the wicked prospered?”
“WHY are all those who deal in treachery at ease?”
“HOW LONG is the land to mourn, and the vegetation of the countryside to wither?”
We all have our "Why's?" I am sure you can think of several even as you are reading this.
So God gives Jeremiah a gentle rebuke. Tomorrow we will look at how the Lord rebukes those He loves.
You were born for a task as well. God has a destiny for you too. Even before you were formed in your mothers womb, God knew you. God destined you for greatness.
After informing Jeremiah that he was born and destined for just this time and this task, the Lord then goes on to give him all the assurance that anyone should ever need.
“Now, gird up you loins, and arise, and speak
to them all which I command you. Do not be
dismayed before them, lest I dismay you
before them.
Now behold, I have made you today as a
fortified city, and as a pillar of iron and as
walls of bronze against the whole land, to the
kings of Judah, to its princes, to its priests
and to the people of the land. And they will
fight against you, but they will not overcome you,
for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord”
So Jeremiah begins his work. He is prophesying against the kings of Judah and their princes and her priests, and all the people, for their idolatry and their spiritual adultery.
It appears as though his preaching has been primarily in and around his home town of Anathoth; because when we get to chapter eleven we find that the men of Anathoth have already told Jeremiah not to prophesy in the name of the Lord, and have even threatened to kill him if he does.
Sadly, it is revealed in Chapter 12 vs 6, that even his own father and brothers are plotting against him, and the Lord warns Jeremiah not to believe their ‘nice’ things that they say.
Jesus later said that a prophet is not without honor except in his home town, and in his own household.
He was referring to Himself, of course, because He was in Nazareth at the time, and the folks who knew Him as Joseph and Mary’s boy would not receive Him.
But I wonder if He had Jeremiah on His mind when He said it.
Here is a lesson for you, believer in Christ.
You have a duty as a loved one to tell your unsaved friends and family about Jesus; and to continue to pray for them. But don’t be discouraged when they reject you. Jesus and the prophets before Him were rejected by those closest to them; but their converts came from elsewhere.
Tell the gospel in obedience to Him; don’t let any man tell you to be quiet...even if they threaten you.
The Lord’s promise in Jeremiah 1:17-19 (which I read a couple of minutes ago) applies to you also!
Well, by chapter 12 Jeremiah is getting a little discouraged. He has come down with a case of the “Why”s and the “How long”s.
“WHY has the way of the wicked prospered?”
“WHY are all those who deal in treachery at ease?”
“HOW LONG is the land to mourn, and the vegetation of the countryside to wither?”
We all have our "Why's?" I am sure you can think of several even as you are reading this.
So God gives Jeremiah a gentle rebuke. Tomorrow we will look at how the Lord rebukes those He loves.
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