1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:
2 To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.
3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.
4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
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.
8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.
12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.
13 And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.
14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.
15 For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.
16 And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.
17 Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.
18 For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.
19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.
The first chapter of Jeremiah in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible introduces us to the prophet Jeremiah, his divine calling, his mission, and the prophecies he was tasked to deliver. The chapter commences with Jeremiah's lineage and his divine appointment as a prophet, even before his birth. It progresses to depict the initial reluctance of Jeremiah, his reassurance by God, and the visions he receives. The chapter concludes with God's warning of the impending adversities that the nations will face, and the assurance of His unyielding support to Jeremiah in the face of these adversities.
The chapter begins with the introduction of Jeremiah as the son of Hilkiah, a priest from Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. God's word comes to Jeremiah, marking the commencement of his prophetic mission. A significant theme that emerges in the initial verses is the doctrine of predestination. God tells Jeremiah, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). This divine decree signifies God's omniscience and omnipotence, indicating that Jeremiah's life and mission were preordained even before his birth.
Jeremiah's initial response to this divine appointment is one of reluctance and self-doubt. He argues that he is too young and lacks the eloquence to be a prophet. However, God reassures him, stating, " 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" (Jeremiah 1:7). Thus, God asserts His divine authority and sovereignty, emphasizing that it is His words that Jeremiah will speak, and not his own.
In the subsequent verses, Jeremiah receives two visions. The first is of an almond tree rod (Jeremiah 1:11), and the second is of a boiling pot facing away from the north (Jeremiah 1:13). These visions are symbolic and serve as metaphors for the prophecies Jeremiah is to deliver.
The almond tree, which is the first to bloom in spring, symbolizes watchfulness and the speed at which God's word will be fulfilled. God confirms this interpretation, stating, "Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it" (Jeremiah 1:12). The boiling pot symbolizes the impending calamity that will befall the land from the north. The north, in biblical times, was often associated with evil and destruction. Thus, the vision of the boiling pot signified the forthcoming invasion of Judah by Babylon.
The chapter concludes with God's warning to the nations and His assurance to Jeremiah. God warns that He will utter His judgments against the nations for their wickedness and idolatry. He foretells the destruction of kingdoms and strongholds and the uprooting of kings. However, alongside His warning, God provides a comforting assurance to Jeremiah. He promises to make Jeremiah "a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land" (Jeremiah 1:18), signifying that God's protection will be with Jeremiah amidst the adversities.
The first chapter of Jeremiah serves as a foundation for understanding the entire book. It introduces the central character, Jeremiah, and provides the context for his prophetic mission. The chapter emphasizes the themes of divine calling, predestination, divine sovereignty, and God's justice and mercy. It also underscores the importance of prophecy as a means of communication between God and His people.
The divine calling and appointment of Jeremiah highlight the theme of predestination. It emphasizes that God has a plan for each individual, even before they are born. This doctrine provides comfort and assurance, reminding us of God's omnipotence and omniscience. It also underscores the importance of obedience to God's calling, despite our insecurities and inadequacies.
The visions received by Jeremiah underscore the role of prophecy as a means of divine communication. The symbolic nature of these visions reminds us that understanding God's word often requires discernment and spiritual insight. The vision of the almond tree rod and the boiling pot also serve as a reminder of God's impending judgment and the certainty of His word.
God's warning and assurance in the concluding verses are a reflection of His justice and mercy. They remind us that while God is just and will punish wickedness, He is also merciful and will protect those who serve Him faithfully. The promise to make Jeremiah a fortified city against the land signifies God's protection and provision for those who respond to His call.
In conclusion, the first chapter of Jeremiah in the KJV Bible serves as an essential introduction to the prophet Jeremiah and his divine mission. The chapter's themes and messages provide a deeper understanding of God's character and His interaction with His people. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty, His justice and mercy, and the importance of obedience to His calling.
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