Hall of Faith: Jeremiah, Lived Out His Calling
In the Hall of Faith, we are told “And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings,
yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment” {Hebrews 11:36} belong in this special group.
The prophet, Jeremiah, fits this description.
The name Jeremiah means may God Exalt or exalted of the Lord.
Jeremiah 1 recounts his calling from God. “ 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 1:7}
“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}
The Lord went on to tell Jeremiah, “Thou 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.” {Jeremiah 1:17}
In Jeremiah 11, the Lord gives Jeremiah words to speak to the people of Anathoth. The people clearly did not like what Jeremiah had to say. The Lord reveals to Jeremiah that the people are plotting against him. Jeremiah says, “Because the Lord revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing. I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me…” {Jeremiah 11:18}
Jeremiah complains to the Lord about how hard it is to share the gospel. “Yet I would
speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?…you see me and test my thoughts about you…How long will the land lie parched.” {Jeremiah 12:1-4}
The Lord answers by saying, “Many shepherds will ruin my vineyard and trample down my field;they will turn my pleasant field into a desolate wasteland.
It will be made a wasteland, parched and desolate before me; the whole land will be laid waste because there is no one who cares…
And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives’—even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among my people. But if any nation does not listen, I will completely uproot and destroy it,” declares the Lord.” {Jeremiah 12:5-16}
Jeremiah reveals that he cannot hold the word of the Lord within himself. “But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” {Jeremiah 20:9}
Jeremiah begins to prophesy against other prophets, who are speaking the opposite to his claims of destruction if the people continue turning against God. {Jeremiah 22-23}
God calls Jeremiah to take a stand and proclaim the Lord’s words in Jeremiah 26. ““This is
what the Lord says: Stand in the courtyard of the Lord’s house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word. Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways. Then I will relent and not inflict on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done.” {v.2-3}
“The priests, the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the Lord. But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the Lord had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, “You must die! Why do you prophesy in the Lord’s name that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted?” And all the people crowded around Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.” {Jeremiah 26:7-9}
The priest are angry at Jeremiah. “Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!”” {Jeremiah 26:11}
“ Furthermore, Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, and so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.” {Jeremiah 26:24}
Jeremiah continued to prophesy for the Lord. The words he spoke, came to fruition, as we read about the fall of the Israelites. They are taken into bondage, just as the Lord promised and later set free again, just as the Lord stated.
So, what can we learn from Jeremiah?
- Jeremiah had a calling on his life
Jeremiah spoke the words the Lord gave him
- Jeremiah suffered for speaking the truth
Jeremiah could not stop speaking the words of the Lord
Jeremiah did not always like his situation
Jeremiah’s heart hurt for the people
Jeremiah suffered ridicule, rejection and was mocked
Jeremiah was sentenced to death for his words {although he was granted a reprieve}
Jeremiah continued to speak for the Lord
Jeremiah served as the Lord’s messenger
Jeremiah proves that speaking out and speaking the truth is not easy. He endured being mocked, spending a day in jail and even being threatened with death.
However, Jeremiah lived out his purpose and calling from God.
Jeremiah suffered for his beliefs and taking a stand, but it is for this reason that he belongs in the Hall of Faith.
Do you live out the calling on your life?