Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:5).

There are twin questions a pastor is asked: “What is the will of God for my life?” The other is “What is my calling?” Many feel these two questions are mysteries to be solved.

Callings in the Bible

Universal calling: The general call that goes out to every human as an invitation to repentance, and faith. This is done through the preaching of God’s Word. “Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9). Also see Romans 9:24; Ephesians 1:18; 4:4; Hebrews 3:1; 2 Peter 1:10.

Vocational calling: This type of calling emphasizes the call of God into a particular kind of work or situation in life, providing an opportunity to display Christian obedience for the purpose of giving God glory. “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:26–27). A calling is a God-given purpose for a certain lifestyle or vocation.

Desire doesn’t always equate to calling. Many have a desire to do some specific work, but that doesn’t mean they are divinely called to do that specific work. Some have a desire to be professional basketball players, but if they are only five foot tall, then chances are they may not be called to be a professional basketball player. When God calls a man or woman, he gives them the necessary tools to complete that task. Such is the story of the prophet Jeremiah.

Historical Setting

“The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin: 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. 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” (Jeremiah 1:1–3).

Jeremiah’s life and ministry were during a very turbulent and tragic time in Judah’s history. He became a prophet during the reign of Josiah. Josiah was the last faithful king in Judah’s history (2 Kings 22:1-23:27). Josiah’s father, Amon, and grandfather, Manasseh, had led the people of Judah away from the Lord. Manasseh was the worst of the Judean kings. He rebuilt the high places of idol worship that Hezekiah had torn down; erected altars to Baal; built altars in the Temple; sacrificed his son in a fire; consulted with fortune-tellers and mediums; shed innocent blood; and made Judah to sin so that they did was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 21:1-16). The sins of Manasseh were so great, that in spite of Josiah’s reforms and revival, judgment was still imminent for Judah. Israel had already gone into Assyrian captivity (2 Kings 17:1-6); Josiah’s death marked the beginning of the end for Judah as well. Judah would suffer a similar fate as that of Israel- they would be taken captive into Babylon. Not only would the people of Judah be taken into captivity, but Jerusalem would be ransacked, and the Temple would be destroyed.

With all of the spiritual, and political turmoil that is taking place in Judah, God calls for a prophet.

1. The Call

“Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, ‘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 1:4–5).

The ministry of the prophet goes back to Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Elijah and Elisha. When readers of the Bible come to the Prophetic books they are met with various historical settings in the Israel and Judean timelines. Jeremiah’s calling is set against a background of many prophets calling both Israel and Judah back to God:

• Hosea and Amos decried injustice fueled by covenantal disobedience.
• Jonah reluctantly preached to Nineveh, the capital in Assyria before they were dominant, oppressing nation.
• Isaiah prophesied concerning sin, judgment and the coming Messiah.
• Micah ministered near the end of the eighth century rebelling Judah for their sins.
• Zephaniah denounced Judah’s worship of other gods.
• Nahum announced the end of Assyria’s tyranny.
• Habbakuk revealed the ways of God leading to Judah’s exile to Babylon.
• Obadiah witnessed the tragedy of Babylon’s invasion.
• Daniel and Ezekiel ministered during the exile in Babylon.
• Haggai, Malachi, and Zechariah were allowed to return to Jerusalem and prophesied during the rebuilding of the Temple.

As we can see with these various prophets, whose writings and ministries are in the prophetic and historical books of Scripture, this type of ministry was not easy, and it was not done during easy times.

A. Prophet, not a Priest

The origin of Jeremiah’s call to a prophetic ministry is important. The opening of Jeremiah’s writings reveal that he was the son of Hilkiah, a priest (Jer. 1:1). The priesthood was reserved for those from the tribe of Levi. If you were a Levite then you would be a priest serving in the Temple. The priest worked primarily to preserve the past by protecting and maintaining the sanctuary. They protected the holy things, and offered sacrifices to keep the people holy.

The prophets, on the other hand, worked to change the present so the nation would have a sure future. The prophets were constantly reminding God’s people of their covenant with Him, and if they didn’t keep it, then judgment would come and future generations would be in peril.

Jeremiah, by progeny, was supposed to be a priest. This was his predetermined future. But God had other plans: “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” (Jer. 1:3-4).

Now, the language here is very interesting. A son of a priest was born to be a priest. But God wanted Jeremiah, and Hilkiah, his father, to know that he was called to be a prophet.

I want to observe a few things from this information of Jeremiah and Hilkiah’s ministry.

Many parents want their children to follow in their footsteps. It’s only natural for a father to desire for his son to take over the family business. Hilkiah’s calling wasn’t Jeremiah’s calling. Often times a parent will put unneeded pressure for a child to have the same calling as themselves. Now, we don’t know for sure if Hilkiah felt like that with Jeremiah. It’s not an usual case to extrapolate such an observation.

Some callings aren’t passed down from generation to generation. It’s not that Hilkiah’s calling was inferior to Jeremiah’s calling. It was that God’s calling was superior to the familial calling of Hilkiah’s. Judah didn’t need another priest, they needed a prophet. Hilkiah’s generation needed a priest, and he fulfilled that. But Jeremiah’s generation needed a “thus saith the Word of the Lord.” Each generation, and culture need a specific calling.

Jeremiah’s calling came from the Lord. Too many getting a calling from family members. For instance, some men get a call from a mother or father to be a preacher. What happens is that a man who is called to preach by family member, or well-intentioned church member, ends up shipwrecked.

Frustration is the fruit of trying to do something you’re not called to do, but out of fear of being accepted by parents you attempt to do something you’re not called to do. Or to continue the family trade, you forsake what you are really called to do.

We must listen to the call of God for our lives. It may be that you are called to do the same thing that your parents, or grandparents did. Or, you may not be called to do the same thing. Whatever the calling, or the vocation, you should do it with all of your might (Ecc 9:10).

B. Anointed, and Appointed

Jeremiah was called to be a prophet. The Lord continues and says, “I sanctified you, and ordained thee a prophet to the nations.”

Sanctified- the Hebrew definition for “sanctified” is to “render holy or set apart by means of religious rites,” “removed from common use.” Jeremiah was set apart to do something uncommon. That’s the call of all believers. All of us are called to be sanctified. Christians are to be different. This is more than just an outward separation in attire. Christians are to be sanctified in their business dealings; sanctified in how they treat people; and sanctified in how they handle money. Holiness should touch every part of our lives.

Ordained- the Hebrew definition of “ordained” means to be “assigned a duty, responsibility, or obligation to someone.” Jeremiah was appointed to be a prophet. He was set apart (anointed, consecrated), and appointed to be a prophet. Jeremiah was obligated to fulfill his mission, but he was also anointed to fulfill his mission.

God will anoint you, and appoint you to fulfill your calling. Anointing and appointing are a powerful combination. When anointing meets appointing progress and success are bound to take place!

2. The Counter

Here is what usually happens when someone gets a clear vision to their God-given calling:

“Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child” (Jeremiah 1:6).

Like Moses, and Gideon before him, Jeremiah found a flaw in himself, and thus in God’s call. Jeremiah seen his inexperience and youth as a disqualifications for God’s call.

I cannot speak: Jeremiah realized that in order to be a prophet he would have to speak publicly. Perhaps he felt inexperienced, or inadequate to be able to speak publicly. All of us may feel like we lack the skills to complete the call of God.

I am a child: The Hebrew word for “child” here can refer to an infant (Ex. 2:6); a child (1 Sam. 1:22); a boy (1 Sam. 3:1); or even a young man (Gen. 22:3; 34:19). One cannot be sure of Jeremiah’s exact age, but he was certain that he was too young to be able to be a prophet.

You may feel like you lack the ability, or experience to fulfill a calling. But if God has called you, He will also equip you to accomplish His will. I think all of us have fears of inadequacy to perform a particular calling. I believe God will equip, but I also believe He provides the means for us to improve ourselves. Going to college, attending a trade school, taking online courses, working with a mentor, these are just a few ways we can improve our experience and skills. These are also useful means for you to see whether or not you are actually called to that particular work or field.

A. The Censure

“But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child” (Jeremiah 1:7a).

Don’t say that you are too young! Don’t say that you are too old! Don’t say that you are too inexperienced! God didn’t make a mistake in calling Jeremiah, and He doesn’t make a mistake when He calls us. It’s one thing to know of your own weaknesses, but it’s another when you think God has made a mistake. This is unbelief! Furthermore, it isn’t humility, it’s pride. It’s as if you are saying that you know better than God. If He has called you, then you need to have faith that He can accomplish His will despite your weaknesses, inexperience, or supposed inability.

God sees Jeremiah’s real reason for countering the call: fear (1:8). “Don’t be afraid of them!” Jeremiah’s task is daunting. He’s to call Israel (and the nations) to repentance.

Some callings aren’t going to be easy. Listen to what the Lord said of the Apostle Paul’s calling and mission: “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake” (Acts 9:15–16).

Everyone wants an Apostle Paul ministry! They want to start churches, travel across the sea, meet new people, encounter strange new cultures. They envision a life seen on the Discovery channel. However, many don’t want the reality of Paul’s calling and mission. Listen to the reality of Paul’s calling (2 Cor. 11:22-33):

• Abundant labor
• Countless beatings
• Acquainted with death
• Forty lashes (save one) at the hands of the Jews
• Beaten with rods
• Stoned
• Shipwrecked three times
• Adrift at sea
• Endangered by robbers
• Endangered by his own people
• Endangered by the Gentiles
• Endangered in the city
• Endangered at sea
• Endangered in the wilderness
• Endangered by false teachers
• Toil and hardship
• Sleepless nights
• Hunger and thirst (often without food)
• Cold and exposed to the elements
• And apart from other things, the daily pressure for all the churches

Who wants that type of ministry? Jeremiah is called to be a prophet to the nations. God doesn’t tell him what else he’s going to have to endure:

• The people won’t listen (Jer. 7:27)
• He is beaten and put in stocks (Jer. 20:1-2)
• Given a death sentence (Jer. 26:11)
• The king burns Jeremiah’s scroll (Jer. 36:23)
• He’s placed in a prison (Jer. 37:21)
• He’s left to die in the mud (Jer. 38:6)
• He’s called a liar (Jer. 43:2)

Can anyone fault Jeremiah for his reluctance? I know I certainly wouldn’t. But Jeremiah has assurance in God’s calling and in His provision.

Three assurances for Jeremiah and for us:

• God’s Election. God doesn’t save us, or call us because we are worthy or deserving. It’s only by the grace of God that we are saved from sin, and called to bring Him glory in our service to Him. “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10).

• God’s Empowerment. Jeremiah was called to be a prophet before he was even conceived! God knew him, sanctified him, and ordained him. What assurance! God had a plan for Jeremiah’s life before Jeremiah had a plan.

• God’s Protection. “Don’t be afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord” (Jer. 1:8). Jeremiah could trust in God’s election, God’s empowerment, and God’s protection. God wasn’t going to send Jeremiah to the tumultuous situation without His help. Yes, people are going to mistreat Jeremiah, but God isn’t going to leave him.

B. The Contact

“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 1:9).

Jeremiah believed he was inadequate to speak, so God touched his mouth. But it wasn’t just the touch of God on his mouth, it was the word of God in his mouth! Jeremiah received a divine touch, and a divine word. That’s what we need today!

Brothers, and sisters, we need a touch from heaven to remove the fear of inadequacy. We need a touch from heaven to extract feelings of insecurity. We need a touch from heaven to eliminate inexperience.

But we also need to be equipped with the Word of God. Jeremiah described God’s word as a fire (Jer. 5:14; 20:9; 23:9); and like a hammer (Jer. 23:29). God also assured Jeremiah that His Word would work: “Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it” (Jeremiah 1:12).

3. The Charge

What exactly did Jeremiah’s calling entail?

“And I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jer. 1:6)

“See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:10).

“But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.” (Jeremiah 1:17–19).

Jeremiah was called to be a prophet, which is an ambassador of the Lord God. He’s going to bring words of judgment and consolation for both the present and the future.

Jeremiah’s tasks (Jer. 1:10):

• Pluck up
• Break down
• Destroy
• Overthrow
• To build
• To plant

Four negatives (pluck up, break down, destroy, overthrow), and two positives (build, and plant). All of these words are referenced in prophecies that Jeremiah gives in his ministry (12:14–17; 16:19–21; 18:7–9; 24:6; 25:9–32; 31:28, 40; 42:10; 45:4) God’s word has the power to give life, or to bring death (Deut. 32:39). No one would be able to deliver these nations from God’s wrath, or keep them from His love.

The Expositor’s Bible says, “For Jeremiah’s ministry, the emphasis is undoubtedly on its destructive element; four verbs are used to express this, whereas two verbs indicate its constructive and restorative element. God’s appointment brings with it his commitment of authority to carry out his goals for his prophet.”

Conclusion

What can we learn from Jeremiah’s calling?

First, God has a plan for your life. Before you were born God had a blueprint for your life. If God has an appointment for you, then He also has an anointing for you to accomplish your mission.

Second, God calls you in spite of your weaknesses and inexperience. God doesn’t call you necessarily because of your ability, but because of your availability.

Third, you might be fighting feelings of insecurity, or even fear. You need to have faith that God will help and protect you. If God is for us, then who can be against us (Rom. 8:31)? If the calling seems daunting, your God is bigger than any obstacle. If you are equipped with His calling, anointing, and Word, then you have everything you need to accomplish His call for your life.