V1-3                Introduction to the book. Josiah reigned for 31 years; Jeremiah began his ministry in his 13^th year, continuing for 18 years during Josiah’s reign.

After Josiah’s death, Judah quickly declined, and was carried into exile 22 years later.

In total, Jeremiah ministered for the final 40 years before the defeat of Jerusalem, and (ch 40-44) for some years afterwards.

V4-5        The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah; his calling, chosen by God for a specific task; “I formed you … I knew you … I set you apart  ... I appointed you.” This is quite daunting, and a little frightening; but such a calling must enable us to endure all that the ministry involves. What we experience is no surprise to the God who called us.

                The NT describes a call from God in similar terms, see John 15.16; Acts 9.15; 26.19.

V6                Jeremiah, being young, was reluctant to speak out; compare Moses (Ex 4.10), Samuel (1 Sam 3.1-5).

V7-8        The Lord’s encouragement, “I am with you.” Youth is no barrier (1 Tim 4.12). Jeremiah’s responsibility was simply to obey. We see also that his message would not be instantly acceptable to everyone, yet the Lord God would give him strength to endure.

V9-10      The Lord’s commissioning, to speak His words with full authority. Jeremiah was set over the nations (v5 also), for his message would go beyond the borders of Israel, although his burden was mainly to speak to God’s people.

                There was no promise that the work would be easy, for the spiritual state of the nation was dire.

V11-12    The vision of the almond tree, speaking of life and fruitfulness, as with Aaron’s rod. The almond was the first tree to blossom; the Hebrew words means ‘alertness,’ or “watching.” The message is clear, ‘I am ready,’ the time had arrived, Jerusalem was to receive the fruit of her actions. 

                Jeremiah had to learn to speak what he saw; see John 8.38; sometimes God’s message is visual rather than verbal.

V13         The second vision is of a boiling pot, picturing judgment. The Lord explains the meaning of the vision.

V14         Calamity from the north, the route followed by the Babylonian army. Egyptians and others from northern Africa approached Israel from the south, Babylon and Assyria from the north.

V15         The thrones of northern nations placed in Jerusalem, being the capital city, and in other cities. This indicates defeat and servitude for Judah, as Gentiles began their domination. See Luke 21.24, where the Lord speaks of the “times of the Gentiles.”

V16         There was good reason for these events, for Judah had been guilty of great wickedness and idolatry. This is a repeated theme, for they were slow to learn His ways.

V17         The command to Jeremiah, in the light of present sin and impending judgment. Get ready and speak all that is commanded (Matt 28.20), for we are not to change what God has said. We are not to neglect the unpalatable parts of the message.

                Chapters 1-29 present Jeremiah’s denunciation of Judah’s sins.

V18         Jeremiah had to speak against the leaders, see ch 28, as well as to the people in general. He was given strength to stand, and to declare God’s words.

V19         Conflict ahead, but also the promise of God’s presence, as in v8. We need to God that God is with us.

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