The Call of God to Old Testament Characters. Lesson 13.

The Call of God to Old Testament Characters

Lesson 13

Lesson Text—Jeremiah 1:4-7

Jeremiah 1:4-74 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.


Jeremiah 1:8-108 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.


Jeremiah 1:11-1411 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.


Jeremiah 1:15-1615 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.

Lesson Text—Jeremiah 1:17

Jeremiah 1:17Thou 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.

Focus Verse—Jeremiah 1:5

Jeremiah 1:5Before 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.

Focus Thought

God’s far-reaching plan includes

fitting us for life with the resources

we need to succeed

in His mission.

I. God Created a Man for His Message

Culture ConnectionLife in the Pits

Live this formula:1. Know God’s plan.2. Do it.

Jeremiah served God even when everyone rejected him. Who could survive fifty years of ministry with no obvious results? Who would endure unending social humiliation and peer rejection? What minister would suffer 100 percent rejection without changing his message?


We want to save the world; we want results. True believers, however, find satisfaction in simply pleasing God. Whether or not a friend lives for God, we share truth. Even if children eventually reject the Lord, we raise them to love Him. When we make our goal to please God, the results become secondary.

Many people wonder how to know if they are doing God’s will. Start with God’s Word.


His will calls us to worship, to love others without flinching, to give thanks always, to rejoice always, and to seek first His kingdom. We love, even if people reject it. We rejoice and thank God, even if situations get worse. Knowing God’s will and doing it bring satisfaction.

While Jeremiah suffered feelings of insecurity and devastating loss, he kept doing what God had called him to do. He could have given up under social pressure.


If he had quit writing after the king burned his scroll, we would not have the book of Jeremiah. Because this man kept following his God-given commission, we have verses on diligence like “ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).


Contemplating the Topic

Does one’s age make a person more or less significant to God or His purposes? Today’s lesson text indicates it does not. God had designs on Jeremiah’s life before he was even born. Children are significant to God. Long before they are mature enough to comprehend it, God has plans that include them.


What we read of God’s plans for Jeremiah is not an isolated incident. For example, Luke 1:5-17 describes God’s purpose for the life of John the Baptist before he was conceived, and Paul stated that God separated and called him from his mother’s womb (Galatians 1:15). Such scriptural passages emphasize the fact of God’s omniscience. God has a plan to accomplish His work that extends to the womb where unborn children are known to His omniscient mind.


God alone knows the end from the beginning. (See Isaiah 46:9-10.) Youthfulness does not diminish one’s potential in God’s kingdom. To undervalue someone based on age alone would be a tragic mistake. Consider the many instances in the Scriptures where one’s youthfulness was not a disadvantage or hindrance in the fulfilling of God’s will.


For instance, Joseph was a mere seventeen years of age when God gave him a dream that revealed his future role in preserving the seed of Abraham during a time of great famine (Genesis 37:2, 5). Further, at twelve years of age Jesus was already engaged in His Father’s business (Luke 2:41-49). One’s potential in God’s kingdom is limited only by unbelief or an unwillingness to obey God. (See Matthew 17:19-20; Mark 6:5-6.)


Advising the young minister Timothy, Paul cautioned him not to allow those who are prejudiced against youth to dishearten him. (See I Timothy 4:12.) Despite Timothy’s youthfulness, Paul considered him to be an asset to the local church and to the work of God in general. Mature believers are not prejudiced or adversarial toward young people because they are young, but they seek to encourage them.


We should exercise great care in our treatment of young people because, as with Jeremiah, John, or Paul, God’s plan has included them since birth.

Psychology of Sex and Gender

In The Psychology of Sex and Gender, Barbara Smith defines prejudice as . . .

“the formation of an opinion without taking time and care to judge fairly.”


Behavior, more than age, complements or disgraces reputation and work. Age alone does not guarantee wisdom any more than youthfulness guarantees folly. Whether young or old, believers should conduct themselves so that they inspire confidence, trust, and respect. Today’s youth must realize they are tomorrow’s leaders, and being a leader requires respect. Paul endorsed Timothy as a role model even though Timothy was a young

man.


Despite Timothy’s youthfulness, Paul felt Timothy’s complement to the ministry deserved respect. Instead of criticizing and judging young people aspiring to ministry in the church, we, like Paul, should seek to mentor and encourage them.


The life and ministry of Jeremiah teaches that God’s plans and purposes for our lives precede birth. God separated Jeremiah for a specific purpose before he had even been given a name. More important than one’s age is God’s call, and that should be the primary concern for anyone desiring to serve God. (See Hebrews 5:4.)


Searching the Scriptures

God Created a Man for His Message

Even as a youth, Jeremiah was destined to serve God’s purposes. Still, Jeremiah felt inadequate when God called him: “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child” (Jeremiah 1:6).

Transparency 1


Jeremiah thought his youth would disqualify him from delivering the message of God. But God encouraged him: “Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 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” (Jeremiah 1:7-9).


Those called of God can take comfort in the fact that God empowers, equips, and enables those whom He calls.

Jeremiah 1:5

“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” (Jeremiah 1:5).

A. God Knew Jeremiah Before He Was Born


God’s plan for Jeremiah prior to birth speaks volumes regarding the sacredness of human life, even in the womb. On more than one occasion Satan has attempted to interfere with God’s plan by eradicating children. (See Exodus 1:15-22; Matthew 2:16; Revelation 12:4.) Many individuals in the world favor and defend the idea of abortion on demand. Could abortion be a ploy of Satan to interfere with God’s promise to pour out His Spirit in the end times? Nevertheless, the promises of God are sure.


As grievous as abortion is, there is a divine outpouring of God’s Spirit in these last days, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. (See Matthew 16:18.)

One’s call, no matter how profound, does not diminish the need for training or education. In The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, Mark Atterberry states that the more he studies, the more opportunities he has to make a spiritual impact on others. He points to the fact that Philip’s knowledge of the Scriptures enabled him to impact the

Ethiopian in Acts 8.


The opposite, however, is also true. One’s training or education does not negate the call of God. Though educated, Paul recognized it was the Spirit’s ability to work through him that made him an effective minister (I Corinthians 1:26-2:5).

In Sodom Had No Bible, Leonard Ravenhill contends George Fox (1624-1691) began his ministry with limited education and with no special training, yet he preached powerfully.


Though both academic training and God’s calling are vital to one’s spiritual impact on others, a biblically sound relationship with God is the first priority. Even the first deacons of the church were required to have the baptism of the Holy Ghost. (See Acts 6:1-3.)

Before Jeremiah was born, God called him. Therefore, his place in God’s plan was not based on age, education, or experience. God’s plan for Jeremiah’s life began with a calling.


One’s calling is foundational to having significant impact in Christian ministry. Education and training, though profitable, do not in themselves guarantee anyone a successful or significant ministry in the church. God saw Jeremiah’s heart. (See I Samuel 16:7.) The heart, not the halls of higher learning, is where God’s purposes are birthed.

B. God Prepared Jeremiah to Fit His Plan

B. God Prepared Jeremiah to Fit His Plan

Having called and sanctified Jeremiah from the womb, God would not leave him ill equipped for his mission. God prepared Jeremiah for the task by surrounding him with godly influences.

Jeremiah 1:1

“The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin”

(Jeremiah 1:1).


Either a teacher, or perhaps his father, gave a young George Washington a list of rules for living that he kept with him throughout his life. One of those rules stated, “Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.” A good reputation can be easily lost. We should guard it carefully.

Ecclesiastes 10:1

“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little

folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and

honour” (Ecclesiastes 10:1).


Solomon taught that even a small oversight can have a huge impact on an otherwise impeccable reputation. We should never take our reputation for granted—no matter how young or old we are!

In The Journey from Success to Significance, John Maxwell contended, “Those closest to you will stretch your vision or choke your dreams.” We should choose our associations wisely and guard our reputations carefully, for a reputation

can be easily damaged or lost.


In Hand of Providence, Mary Beth Brown tells how “the most influential person” in the life of Ronald Reagan was his mother. Reagan’s mother had an unshakable faith in God’s goodness and planted that faith very deep in her son. Through her example, Reagan’s mother taught him the value of prayer and faithfulness, seldom missing a Sunday service. In difficult times as in good times, she tithed to her church and taught her son to do likewise.


Ronald Reagan went on to become one of America’s leading film stars as well as one of its most loved and popular presidents.

During his career as a film star, Reagan preferred to play the good guy, not wanting his influence to be used in a bad way, and began a war against what he saw as the encroaching influences of communism in American film, which culminated during his presidency with the collapse of the Berlin wall.


Reagan’s childhood upbringing definitely shaped him for his future role, not only on the stage of Hollywood, but on the world stage as well.

Without question, Jeremiah’s parents and his environment helped shape him for the work God had called him to do. Perhaps all parents should consider the possibility that they are raising a future minister, missionary, or president whose life will impact a city, country, or the world—perhaps an

entire generation.


God has promised a great outpouring of His Spirit in the last days. Possibly someone now is raising the men and women God will mightily use in the fulfilling of that promise. May God help us to see our children as being a part of that great end-time promise and prepare them accordingly, using our influence wisely.

C. Jeremiah Was God’s PropertyC. Jeremiah Was God’s

Property

From the womb, Jeremiah was “sanctified” or set apart for a specific purpose. According to The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, the Hebrew verb transliterated qodesh, rendered “sanctify,” implies a separation from secular uses as well as a setting apart for sacred purposes.


The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia contends that the meaning of sanctify is to “separate from the world and consecrate to God.” In essence, God claimed exclusive rights to Jeremiah’s life. Jeremiah’s life was not to be divided between sacred and secular pursuits, but wholly consecrated to the purpose for which God had called him—a prophet.


If Jeremiah steered his life in a secular direction, it would be a grave misuse of the life God had given him and would jeopardize his ability to fulfill God’s purpose. A person truly called of God should avoid dividing his time between sacred and secular pursuits. A believer should not get overly entangled in secular affairs but apply himself wholly to that which God has called him to do.

II Timothy 2:3-4

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth

himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath

chosen him to be a soldier” (II Timothy 2:3-4).


Our talents may never reach their full potential if we divide our time between the sacred and the secular. Believers should invest themselves, their time, and resources in the work of God and to whatever ministry God has called them. One’s calling—both to salvation and to ministry—is sacred and should never have to compete with secular interests. Too many allow a love for money and material things to supplant their devotion to their calling. We must apply ourselves to that which God has called and sanctified us to do.

Luke 16:13

“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God

and mammon” (Luke 16:13).


The Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology states that to sanctify someone or something is to “set that person or thing apart for the use intended by its designer,” and adds that a pen is sanctified only when used to write, and eyeglasses are sanctified when used to improve sight. It further states, “In the theological sense, things are sanctified when they are used for the purpose God intends.” God has called every believer to ministry in the body of Christ, and that calling should be his life’s focus and

passion.


Various instruments, pieces of furniture, and even the priests serving in the Old Testament Tabernacle, were said to be sanctified, meaning they were set apart for an exclusive and sacred purpose. Serving God’s purpose was their primary function. They did not serve dual roles. The priests devoted their time and energy to that singular task. Leading a sanctified life, according to the Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, is “placing the interests of God before the interests of self.”

Transparency 2

II. God Placed the Message in Jeremiah’s MouthGod Placed the Message

in Jeremiah’s Mouth

Jeremiah’s message originated with God; the message was God breathed. (See II Timothy 3:16-17.) The message God has designed for believers to propagate to the world is profitable because it originates with God, whether it is a believer sharing the plan of salvation with the lost or a preacher declaring God’s Word from the pulpit.


As a prophet Jeremiah’s message came from God. Jeremiah spoke as he was inspired by God’s Spirit. (See II Peter 1:21.) God’s thoughts and ways are often counter-cultural, and therefore His spokespersons are not always popular or well received. However, true believers must commit themselves unreservedly to delivering God’s message even if that means being unpopular. The object of performing ministry for God is not to please people but to reach the lost and lead them to a mature relationship with

Jesus Christ.


If those in Christian service are not careful, they can filter God’s Word and will through their personal bias, prejudices, views, or even cultural norms. God must be the source of our message.

Jeremiah’s authority was rooted in God’s message. As long as Jeremiah preached the words God had given him, he had the authority of Heaven behind him. We too must learn to rightly interpret the Scriptures to avoid diminishing God’s message.


Paul urged Timothy to rightly divide the Word of truth and so avoid bringing any shame upon his leadership through misinterpretation or misapplication of the Scriptures (II Timothy 2:15). Timothy had to study in order to distinguish himself as a competent and skillful craftsman with God’s Word. If he did so, however, his work would not bring shame, embarrassment, or regret. The same holds true for those in Christian leadership and ministry today.

III. God Gave Jeremiah the Courage to Speak the Message

God Gave Jeremiah the Courage to Speak

the Message

Because of God’s promises, we have absolutely no reason to be afraid. (See Hebrews 13:5-6.) Knowing that God is with us gives us courage. God gave Jeremiah the courage to speak His word when faced with opposition. His nation was deep in sin, yet Jeremiah understood that if they ever turned back to God someone must speak God’s message to them. We have a similar responsibility.

Romans 10:13-14

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and

how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and

how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:13-14).


Like Jeremiah, every minister of the gospel and every believer face opposition of some kind. Regardless of the adversaries facing him, the minister must preach the gospel. (See I Corinthians 9:16.) There is entirely too much riding on a minister’s commitment to the work of God to shrink from his duty. He must deny himself selfish rewards or comforts in order to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.


In spite of the overwhelming rejection Jeremiah faced, God gave him the necessary courage to face his adversaries and not compromise the message. When other prophets spoke deceitfully or to please their audience, Jeremiah stayed the course and heralded the truth. (See Jeremiah 5:31; 6:13.)


John F. Kennedy, in Profiles in Courage, tells the story of Lucius Lamar, a U.S. Senator from Mississippi who, during the latter part of the nineteenth century, once made a decision that was extremely unpopular with his state. To this he commented . . . “I never made popularity the standard of my action.”

Even though Jeremiah’s message went virtually unheeded, he was faithful to God. (See Ezekiel 3:17-19.)

IV. God Knew His Message Would Be RejectedGod Knew His Message

Would Be Rejected

“Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not

hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer

thee” (Jeremiah 7:27).


Jeremiah never experienced the euphoria of being applauded or congratulated for a sermon well delivered. He knew only rejection and ridicule, and this broke his heart. (See Jeremiah 9:1.) Rejected by friends, family, neighbors, other prophets, and the king, Jeremiah was the only prophet in the Bible to preach fifty years without a single convert. Jeremiah loved his people, and perhaps this more than anything else motivated him to keep on prophesying.


Jeremiah cared enough to confront his people with the truth, hoping to turn them back to God. For this he was scorned (Jeremiah 15:10). What a consolation it must have been to Jeremiah to know that God already knew His message would be rejected. Why does God position His servants to seemingly fail at their mission? Like

Jeremiah, we must realize God knows the end from the beginning.


Further, our mission is not to control outcomes; rather, it is that through our obedience, our generation receives a witness and hears a voice calling them to accountability and repentance. Our success in God’s eyes does not depend on the acceptance and approval of the crowd. Rather, our success hinges on whether we are obedient to the call of God and faithful to deliver His Word.

V. God Counted Jeremiah a Success

God Counted Jeremiah a Success

Jeremiah’s ministry teaches us how God views success. God does not measure success by the size of the crowd or by cultural symbols. For instance, today people often consider someone a success because of the size of his home, the make of his car, the brand of his clothing, or the amount of his bank account.


Popular culture views such things as the symbols of one’s achievements or success. However, these are not considerations in God’s standard of success. God judges success solely by one’s faithfulness and obedience. No matter what we may have otherwise, failing in faithfulness and obedience means utter failure in the sight of God.

A. Jeremiah Was ObedientA. Jeremiah Was Obedient

If we were to list those credentials which may seem to qualify us as servants of God, where is obedience ranked on our list? For instance, is an obedient spirit more important than education, charisma, or talent? Paul was educated, but he did not view this achievement as the primary qualification of his apostleship. Obedience is critically important to our success in God’s eyes. (See I Samuel 15:22.)

B. Jeremiah Was FaithfulB. Jeremiah Was FaithfulAs with obedience, faithfulness

should rank high on our list of traits that qualify us for God’s service. According to James C. Humes in The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln once said of Zachary Taylor, U.S. general in the Mexican War and twelfth president of the United States, that he possessed a “long-enduring devotion to duty,” sought no applause, and like “the earth in its orbit, he was always at his post.”


Jeremiah evidenced such a dependable and dutiful spirit.

In his book The Seven Secrets, John Hagee asked a series of questions to help define what faithfulness is. • If your car started one out of three times, would you consider it faithful?• If the paperboy skipped Mondays and Thursdays, would he be considered faithful?• If you didn’t show up at work two or three times a month, would your boss

call you faithful?


• If your refrigerator quit a day now and then, would you excuse it and say, “Oh, well, it works most of the time.”• If your water heater greeted you with cold water one or two mornings a week while you were in the shower, would it be faithful?• If you missed a couple of mortgage payments in a year’s time, would your mortgage holder say, “Oh, well, ten out of twelve isn’t bad”?

VI. God Measures Personal Success

God Measures Personal Success

For New Testament believers, God’s measure of success is similar to that which we see in Jeremiah’s life. It is not based on such things as numbers or material gains but on one’s obedience, faithfulness, and loyalty. Scripturally, God places a high priority on these.

A. By Obedience to the GospelA. By Obedience to the Gospel

Adam and Eve are considered failures because of their disobedience. God still measures success by obedience. To be a success with God and hear Him say “well done,” we must fully obey the gospel by repenting of our sins, being water baptized in Jesus’ name, and receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in an unknown tongue, the way early believers did in the Book of

Acts.


Today’s church may excel in areas like social programs that reach out to various needs in the city or community, and this is well and good. But the greatest need of today’s church is the need for authentic, Spirit-filled leadership and the mentoring of future leaders to place a high priority on their own spiritual integrity.


The oversight of God’s church must never be relegated to those who excel at contemporary management technique and philosophy at the expense of true spiritual integrity. Apostolic leadership begins with the new birth, and we must never stray from this most vital experience. (See John 3:1-8; Acts 2:38.)

B. By Faithfulness to the TruthB. By Faithfulness to the Truth

Since the Book of Acts, God’s message has not changed. There is one gospel. (See Galatians 1:6-9; Ephesians 4:5.) The Bible does not mislead or confuse. Jude warned believers to stick with the message originally delivered to the saints (Jude 3). The message Jesus originally delivered to His disciples is clearly revealed to us as being repentance of sins and both water and Spirit baptism.

(See Luke 24:45-49; John 3:1-8; Acts 2:38.)


The Book of Acts clearly defines the message and practices of the earliest believers. If we are to be successful when we stand before the Judge of all the earth and hear Him say, “Well done,” we must remain faithful to this same message. Compromising the message God has given us is a grave error for any leader in any era.

As in the days of Jeremiah, many ministers and churches are heralding a deceitful message of social acceptance and prosperity.


It is entertaining and crowd pleasing, but extremely misleading. Like Jeremiah, we must herald the true message of God no matter how unpopular it is. Despite rejection, we must dutifully continue in the tradition of the apostles, contending for the faith originally delivered to the saints.

C. By Loyalty to AuthoritiesC. By Loyalty to Authorities

Jeremiah was loyal to the source of his message—God. We must do likewise. Once we locate a truth-proclaiming church and pastor, we should support them. As long as those in authority are preaching and practicing biblical truth and leading the assembly with integrity, we should be loyal to them. Sinners do not come into today’s church neatly packaged.


Often they struggle with all sorts of addictions and relational problems. Leaders today do not have an easy or enviable job. Laity can be of tremendous help and encouragement by simply being loyal and committed.


Internalizing the Message

Human life is sacred at any age, but in this modern age, it is undervalued at alarming levels prior to birth. God’s plans often precede birth, and historically, Satan’s strategy for thwarting God’s plans has included the slaughter of innocent youths. Therefore, it is imperative that today’s church grasp the sacredness of human life, even preceding birth.


God has promised an outpouring of His Spirit in these last days, and Satan is attacking the unborn in an attempt to hinder the fulfillment of this promise. To this, the church must not be apathetic but proactive. We must teach the sacredness of human life and mentor our youth, encouraging and supporting them, for they are the leaders of tomorrow’s church.


God has a message for every generation. (See Hebrews 1:1-2.) God has a plan for the redemption of lost humankind. (See John 3:1-8; Acts 2:38.) Accomplishing God’s plan requires someone to willingly declare the gospel of Jesus Christ. (See Romans 10:13-14.) From generation to generation, God continues to raise up young people who dedicate their lives to the furtherance of the gospel at home and abroad.


It is a wise parent, as well as the local church and its minister, who understands that God’s call begins early in the life of a child, maybe even before birth.

Discerning the destiny of its youth as the leaders of tomorrow’s church, a congregation must partner with God in the development of such leaders by mentoring, encouraging, and supporting youth as they mature in Christ. And young people must recognize their responsibilities in this process and be teachable.


When we as a church get these roles right, the gates of Hell will never stop God’s church from accomplishing its mission in this earth!

The Call of God to Old Testament Characters. Lesson 13.

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