Prayer: Father, when You appoint, You anoint and commission for a specific call. Thus, You did with Jeremiah. Teach me about Your appointing will today through the life of Jeremiah. Amen.
The Bible Project: Book of Jeremiah Summary | Watch an Overview Video (bibleproject.com)
Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10 “The word of Adonai came to me, saying: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I set you apart— I appointed you prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Alas, Adonai Elohim! Look, I don’t know how to speak! For I’m still a boy!” But Adonai answered me, “Do not say ‘I’m only a boy!’ For to everyone I send you, you will go, and all I command you, you will speak. Do not be afraid of them! For I am with you to deliver you.” It is a declaration of Adonai. Then Adonai stretched out His hand and touched my mouth and Adonai said to me, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, today I have appointed you over nations and over kingdoms: to uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” TLV
Attention: The declaration of Adonai which Jeremiah records, remind me of the words of David recorded in Psalm 139, “For You have created my conscience. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am awesomely, wonderfully made! Wonderful are Your works— and my soul knows that very well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw me when I was unformed, and in Your book were written the days that were formed— when not one of them had come to be (13-18).”
David not only acknowledges Adonai’s creative work but recognizes His foreknowledge of events before they happen. This is the gifting of the Prophet. A prophet is God’s mouthpiece and messenger, delivering His message to a specified audience. Most of the Hebrew prophets were prophets to the nation of Israel. Jeremiah, however, is task with being God’s prophet to “nations and over kingdoms.”
Jeremiah is instructed to not to look down on his youth. Adonai overcomes his objections by declaring to him, “For to everyone I send you, you will go, and all I command you, you will speak.” He was commanded not to fear those he would be sent to, “For I am with you to deliver you.” God would be standing next to him as his Supernatural support and protection. Adonai even physically touched Jeremiah’s mouth, declaring “I have put My word in your mouth.” Adonai supernaturally commissioned Jeremiah as a prophet to the nations!
Does Adonai have prophets which carry His message today? We have supporting scripture which addresses this question found in Ephesians 2:20 & 4:11-12, “He Himself gave some to be emissaries, some as prophets, some as proclaimers of the Good News, and some as shepherds and teachers— to equip the kedoshim for the work of service, for building up the body of Messiah.” So, the answer must be, yes. Even Paul says to the Corinthian Christ followers twice, Pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to people but to God—for no one understands, but in the Ruach he speaks mysteries. But one who prophesies speaks to people for building up, urging on, and uplifting. One who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but one who prophesies builds up the community. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues—unless he interprets, so that the community may be built up (1 Corinthians 14:1-5).”
Not only do the scriptures give importance to the role of a prophet, but scriptures substantiate the existence of prophets and the prophetic gifting.
Action: I choose to embrace the gift of prophecy and the office of a prophet as a significant part of Adonai’s governing structure.
Yield: I choose to submit to the declarations of Adonai regarding prophet and prophecy.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Holy Spirit in seeking to prophesy as a voice of Adonai.
Relationship: I choose to live in obedient, intimate relationship with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, Thank You for the gift of prophet and prophecy. I receive Your Word and instruction from the mouth of the prophet Jeremiah today. Amen.
Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:11-12 “: He Himself gave some to be emissaries, some as prophets, some as proclaimers of the Good News, and some as shepherds and teachers— to equip the kedoshim for the work of service, for building up the body of Messiah.” TLV
Music Video: Jim Gilbert—Song for The Nations https://youtu.be/DP9qxN4ib5A?si=v4KGqlLhAx6Oz3fo
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”