Jeremiah 1:7
But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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God doesn't just permit Jeremiah to speak His words; He promises that Jeremiah will go "to all that I shall send you," suggesting that the commission itself is God's enablement to overcome any obstacle. This isn't just about delivering a message, but about God's power enabling His messenger to reach everyone, no matter how daunting the audience.
God has just called Jeremiah to be a prophet, but Jeremiah expresses reservations, feeling too young and inexperienced for such a monumental task. The Lord responds directly to Jeremiah's self-doubt, assuring him that his youth is no barrier because the prophetic message and the strength to deliver it come directly from God, not from Jeremiah himself. This sets the stage for God's promise in the following verse to protect Jeremiah from the very people he'll be sent to confront.
Jeremiah felt inadequate because of his age. Does God call us based on our abilities or His power?
Jeremiah protested, 'I am only a youth.' This wasn't just about his age, but likely his inexperience and perceived lack of authority. Many feel unqualified for God's work, comparing themselves to others or focusing on their limitations.
God's Perspective:
God's response is clear: 'Do not say, 'I am only a youth'.' He isn't concerned with our resume or our perceived shortcomings. Instead, He emphasizes His power and authority. The promise isn't about Jeremiah's strength, but God's enablement. 'For to all to whom I send you, you shall go.' This means wherever God directs, He will equip you to go. Your limitations are irrelevant when God is the one sending.
Jeremiah was called to speak God's words. What does it mean to deliver a message that isn't your own?
God's commissioning of Jeremiah includes a direct command about the content of his message: 'and whatever I command you, you shall speak.' This is a radical call to faithfulness.
The Prophet's Role:
Jeremiah wasn't meant to offer his own opinions, analysis, or softened versions of God's truth. His role was to be a conduit. He was to speak only what God commanded. This required incredible trust, as the messages would often be difficult and unwelcome.
Trusting the Source:
The authority and effectiveness of the message come from God, not the messenger. When we are commissioned by God, our task is to be faithful to His Word, even when it's challenging or unpopular. The focus shifts from our eloquence or acceptance to God's truth.
Understand the original words
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel. It signifies God's self-existence, eternal nature, and His faithfulness to His promises and people.
shalach · Hebrew Verb
To commission or assign an individual to a specific task or location on behalf of God. It implies the authority of the sender and the mandate for the messenger to represent Him faithfully.
dabar · Hebrew Verb
To utter or declare a message. In the prophetic context, it refers to communicating God's revealed truth rather than one's own opinion.
Jeremiah's call to be a prophet wasn't in a time of peace, but during a period of religious reform and immense political instability. His youth, coupled with the daunting task of speaking God's truth to a resistant people and nations, made him feel inadequate, but God's promise of presence and empowerment was key to his ministry.
c. 627 BC
Josiah's Reforms Begin
King Josiah initiates a religious reformation in Judah, seeking to restore worship of Yahweh and dismantle pagan practices. This sets a context of upheaval and potential resistance to prophetic messages.
c. 627 BC— this verse
Jeremiah's Call to Prophecy
The LORD calls the young Jeremiah to be a prophet, just as Josiah's reforms are underway or beginning. Jeremiah expresses his youth and inadequacy.
c. 626 BC
Jeremiah Begins Prophetic Ministry
Jeremiah commences his public ministry, likely focusing on the spiritual state of Judah and warning of impending judgment, even as Josiah's reforms are still being implemented.
609 BC
Death of King Josiah
Josiah is killed in battle at Megiddo, a significant blow to the reformation and a turning point for Judah. This event likely intensified Jeremiah's prophetic warnings.
Like Jeremiah, Moses expresses inadequacy ('Who am I?') when called by God, and God responds with a promise of His presence and empowerment, mirroring the reassurance given to Jeremiah.
Exodus 4:10-12Moses again voices his lack of eloquence, similar to Jeremiah's feeling of being 'only a youth,' but God assures him, 'I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak,' directly paralleling God's commission to Jeremiah.
Ezekiel 2:3-5God commissions Ezekiel, telling him to speak His words, and warns him about the rebellious people he will face, much like Jeremiah is told to go wherever God sends him and speak whatever He commands, despite the opposition.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29This passage highlights God's pattern of choosing those considered weak or foolish by the world (like a 'youth') to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating that the strength comes from God, not the individual, which is precisely the message God gives Jeremiah.
Isaiah 6:8-9After a powerful vision, Isaiah asks, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?', and when God calls him, Isaiah immediately responds with willingness, contrasting with Jeremiah's initial hesitation, yet both receive a commission to speak God's words to a resistant people.
pulpitJeremiah 1:7: "But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak."
Verse 7. - Thou shalt go, etc. Thoughts of self are altogether out of place in one who has received a Divine commission. Jeremiah's duty is simple obedience. In put-suing this path he cannot but be safe (ver. 8).
clarkeJeremiah 1:7: "But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak."
Whatsoever I command thee - It is my words and message, not thine own, that thou shalt deliver. I shall teach thee; therefore thy youth and inexperience can be no hinderance.
God doesn't just permit Jeremiah to speak His words; He promises that Jeremiah will go "to all that I shall send you," suggesting that the commission itself is God's enablement to overcome any obstacle. This isn't just about delivering a message, but about God's power enabling His messenger to reach everyone, no matter how daunting the audience.
God has just called Jeremiah to be a prophet, but Jeremiah expresses reservations, feeling too young and inexperienced for such a monumental task. The Lord responds directly to Jeremiah's self-doubt, assuring him that his youth is no barrier because the prophetic message and the strength to deliver it come directly from God, not from Jeremiah himself. This sets the stage for God's promise in the following verse to protect Jeremiah from the very people he'll be sent to confront.
God has just called Jeremiah to be a prophet, but Jeremiah expresses reservations, feeling too young and inexperienced for such a monumental task. The Lord responds directly to Jeremiah's self-doubt, assuring him that his youth is no barrier because the prophetic message and the strength to deliver it come directly from God, not from Jeremiah himself. This sets the stage for God's promise in the following verse to protect Jeremiah from the very people he'll be sent to confront.
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605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylonian forces conquer Judah, and a portion of the population, including young men of noble birth like Daniel, are exiled to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's subjugation.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Jerusalem is destroyed, the Temple is sacked, and a larger group of Judeans are exiled to Babylon, fulfilling many of Jeremiah's dire prophecies.
"But the LORD said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak." — God doesn't just permit Jeremiah to speak His words; He promises that Jeremiah will go "to all that I shall send you," suggesting that the commission itself is God's enablement to overcome any obstac…