Friday, December 4: Jeremiah 1:4-10
In this passage, Jeremiah hears the word of the LORD say he has been chosen to be a prophet to the nations. The voice makes clear that Jeremiah was chosen and consecrated before he was born, which means he was not chosen for his devout nature or insight into the affairs of nations. The LORD is in charge in this assignment, not Jeremiah.
Jeremiah, understanding the fearsome task given to him, objects that he is only a boy and doesn’t know what to say. The LORD brushes this aside and tells him that he will go where he is sent and will say what he’s told to say. He doesn’t need to be afraid of what people will do to him, since the LORD will keep him safe.
Next, the LORD, apparently standing before Jeremiah, touches his mouth, putting into it the words that he is to say. He appointed Jeremiah over nations and gave him power to build and destroy. The boy seems to be speechless as he anticipates the abuses he might receive from the people in power who will not want to hear the LORD’s judgments against them coming from a boy’s mouth.
In the Advent season, we contemplate the coming birth of Jesus, who also was chosen before his birth to deliver the LORD’S words to people. These words were good news for the people, but raised doubts about the religious leadership. Jesus, like Jeremiah, humbled himself and was in trouble because he did what he was told to do by the LORD.
Greta Thunberg is a young person who speaks true, frightening words about climate crisis. She says that if we keep making excuses, then we will not change our destructive behavior. The evidence is clear that the climate crisis is underway, but we have trouble hearing the messenger’s words. During Advent, we hope we can hear the truth-sayers and find a saving change in us.
Joe Hall