Jeremiah is not a book that is studied too often. Reading it chapter by chapter should be a challenge–especially trying to understand some of the symbolism and the historical context. Hopefully going through it slowly will help. Please chime in along the way if you have questions or thoughts.
Jeremiah is actually the “longest book in the Bible, containing more words than any other Bible book” (NIV Study Bible). That’s hard to believe since Isaiah has 66 chapters and there are 150 Psalms but apparently it is true. Anyone want to count words ;>)?
Jeremiah is often called the “weeping prophet.” He was an emotional man, prophesying God’s impending judgment on the rapidly declining nation of Israel. This message broke his heart since he loved his nation and his people.
Jeremiah’s ministry lasted from about 626 BC to 586 BC during the reigns of the good king Josiah and the bad kings Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah. Thus, for most of Jeremiah’s life, he lived in a morally declining nation in which he encountered opposition from all levels of society for his preaching of God’s message.
The word of the LORD came to me, saying, ”Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:4-5)
Jeremiah was intimately known by God and specially set apart by God before he was even conceived. Before Jeremiah’s parents thought of having him, God already knew him and had a plan for him. Pretty wild. Such a thought certainly confirms the sovereignty of God but it also affirms the fact that no one is a mistake. God knows us. Our genetic makeup is no surprise to Him. Our conception is not out of His control. He works within the bounds of natural processes but He is also above these things, working things together for His will.
I guess you could say that these words only apply to Jeremiah and not to us. But I tend to think that these words are meant to apply to us as well. In a different way, to be sure. We are not prophets set apart to record a specific message of Scripture. But we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). That to me says that God knew us and designed us for a purpose before we were even embryos in the womb. He knew our days. He knew our abilities. He knew our weaknesses. And He designed us to accomplish a specific part of His will on earth. It is not fatalism because I also believe we can fight God’s will for us, neglect it, refuse to do it. God will still accomplish His ultimate plan. We just miss out on the blessings of being involved.
Don’t ask me how all this works. I don’t know. But I do know that God has a plan for me, my life is not a mistake, my weaknesses are no surprise to Him, and He wants to use me if I allow Him to.
Lord, help me to walk in step with Your Spirit and fulfill the purpose for which You designed me.