Question 1

Who is Jeremiah in this passage and where does he come from?

Accepted Answer

Jeremiah is introduced as the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests living in Anathoth, a town in the land of Benjamin a few miles from Jerusalem. So he is both from a priestly family and from a small place, not from the royal court. God calls him in the days of King Josiah and keeps using him through the reigns of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, right up to the time when Jerusalem is taken captive. This shows that God raised Jeremiah up during a long season of decline and trouble in Judah.

Question 2

What does “before I formed you in the belly I knew you” mean here?

Accepted Answer

When God says, “Before I formed you in the belly I knew you,” he is telling Jeremiah that his life and work were not an accident. God knew him in a personal way even before he was formed in the womb, and had already set him apart for a special task. “I sanctified you” and “I ordained you a prophet to the nations” mean God had chosen and separated him for this work ahead of time. It shows God’s care, purpose, and plan over Jeremiah’s life from the very beginning.

Question 3

Why does Jeremiah say “I cannot speak, for I am a child”?

Accepted Answer

Jeremiah answers God with fear and weakness, saying he cannot speak because he is a child. He feels too young, too inexperienced, and overwhelmed by the thought of bringing such heavy messages of judgment to his own people and to nations. This is not stubborn refusal but honest anxiety about the weight of the task. God does not accept his excuse but kindly answers it, telling him not to say he is a child, because God himself will send him, put his words in Jeremiah’s mouth, and be with him to deliver him.

Question 4

What is the meaning of God touching Jeremiah’s mouth?

Accepted Answer

When the Lord stretches out his hand and touches Jeremiah’s mouth, it is a sign that God himself is giving Jeremiah the words to say. God then says, “I have put my words in your mouth.” This shows Jeremiah will not just share his own thoughts or ideas, but will speak what God commands. The touch is a picture of God making him ready for the work, cleansing and equipping him for the message. It is also an assurance that Jeremiah does not stand on his own authority, but on God’s word given to him.

Question 5

Why is Jeremiah set “over the nations and over the kingdoms”?

Accepted Answer

God tells Jeremiah he has set him over nations and kingdoms “to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Jeremiah does not rule them as a king, but his words carry God’s authority over them. Through his prophecies, proud things will be torn down and humbled, and God’s good purposes will be planted and built up. This shows both sides of his ministry: announcing judgment that removes sin and false security, and also speaking of future restoration, where God will rebuild and plant again.

Question 6

What does the vision of the rod of an almond tree mean?

Accepted Answer

God shows Jeremiah a rod, or branch, of an almond tree. The almond tree in that land is known for being one of the first to blossom, so it is linked with watchfulness and quickness. God says Jeremiah has seen well, because he will “hasten” his word to perform it. The word for almond and the word for watching are connected. The picture means God is awake and ready to carry out what he has spoken. His warnings are not empty. The judgment he has announced will not be delayed forever but will surely come.

Question 7

What is the boiling pot facing from the north that Jeremiah sees?

Accepted Answer

In the second vision, Jeremiah sees a boiling pot, or seething pot, and its face is turned from the north toward the land. God explains that out of the north an evil will break out on all the inhabitants of the land. This points to invading armies from the northern regions, who will come against Jerusalem and the cities of Judah. They will set their thrones at the gates and around the walls. The boiling pot shows trouble that is stirred up and about to spill over, picturing the coming siege and God’s judgments for the people’s idolatry.

Question 8

Why is God bringing evil from the north against Judah?

Accepted Answer

God says he will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north to come against Jerusalem and the cities of Judah. This happens because of the people’s wickedness. They have forsaken the Lord, burned incense to other gods, and worshiped what their own hands have made. God will now “utter his judgments” against them through these invading powers. So the evil from the north is both real military disaster and also God’s just answer to long-standing idolatry and refusal to listen to his word, after many warnings.

Question 9

Why does God tell Jeremiah not to be afraid of their faces?

Accepted Answer

Jeremiah is sent to speak to kings, princes, priests, and all the people of the land, many of whom will resist and oppose him. God tells him to gird up his loins, to stand up and speak all that he commands, and not to be dismayed at their faces. If Jeremiah shrinks back in fear, he himself will be put to shame. But God promises to make him like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls. People will fight against him, but they will not win, because God will be with him to deliver him.

Question 10

How can Jeremiah’s call and fears help believers today?

Accepted Answer

Jeremiah’s call shows that God can choose and use someone who feels young, weak, and afraid. God knew Jeremiah before birth, set him apart, answered his fears, and gave him the words to say. Believers today can take comfort that God’s plans do not depend on their natural strength or age, but on his presence and calling. When facing hard tasks, opposition, or unpopular truths, this passage encourages people to depend on God, to speak what he says, and to trust that he will stand with them even when others resist.

Jeremiah 1:1

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

The Call of Jeremiah

Jeremiah’s Call and Commission

The Almond Rod and Boiling Pot

The Call of Jeremiah

Jeremiah’s Call and Commission

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Jeremiah 1:1

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

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The Call of Jeremiah

Jeremiah’s Call and Commission

The Almond Rod and Boiling Pot

The Call of Jeremiah

Jeremiah’s Call and Commission

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