Jeremiah, A Spokesman for God

JEREMIAH 1:9, 10, 18, 19—God’s commission of service to Jeremiah was identical in principle to the commission he gives to all those whom he calls into his service. This was particularly true with respect to the message he was to deliver. It was not to be his message, but the Lord’s message. The Lord said to Jeremiah, “I have put my words in thy mouth.” This was true even of Jesus, the most outstanding of all the Lord’s spokesmen, for he said, “The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me.” (John 14:10,24) And Jesus said of his disciples, those who were to be his ambassadors, “I have given them Thy Word.”—John 17:14

It is very essential for all of the Lord’s people to keep this in mind when they undertake to speak for him. Jesus recognized the commission of Isaiah 61:1-3 as being in a general way an outline of what he and his followers were to present as their message from the Almighty; and it is well even for those of us who are the “feet” members of the body of Christ to give careful consideration to this outline of the message which our God will approve. In a word, it is a message of glad tidings, a message which can be made the more real today by the assurance that “Thy God reigneth!”—Isaiah 52:7

God’s commission to Jeremiah, stating that he was set over the nations and over the kingdoms “to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build and to plant,” is understandable only in the light of the further explanation that this work was actually to be done by others. (Jer. 1:13-16) Jeremiah’s part in all this was merely that of declaring it, yet from the divine standpoint he was to be given credit for actually accomplishing the judgments of the Lord against Israel.

This is a very interesting and important viewpoint. It means that the Lord considers the declaration of truths concerning his plans as a very important part in their accomplishment. This helps us to understand more clearly, for example, how we today can proclaim the “opening of the prison”—that is, the prison of death—“to them that are bound.” We cannot, while this side the veil, actually raise the dead, but we can and should announce the divine purpose to raise the dead; and by so doing, we are even now having a part in that glorious purpose.

We are not to pronounce vengeance upon the nations, nor to assist in the destruction of this “present evil world,” but it is our privilege to proclaim to the people the meaning of what is occurring in the earth, that it is a manifestation of God’s vengeance against a system of iniquity which must be set aside to make way for the kingdom of Christ. How wonderfully the Lord honors those who are faithful to the commission which he gives them to speak for him.

JEREMIAH 22:1-3, 13, 14—Regardless of time or place, or of the particular details involved in any message which the Lord asks his people to deliver, there are always certain underlying principles which stand out as important. Here these are brought to our attention. The prophet was to urge compliance with divine righteousness and justice. He was to instruct the king of Judah to do no violence to strangers nor to the fatherless and widows. In other words, he was not to take advantage of those who were helpless.

And on the negative side of the matter, Jeremiah was to warn of the “woe” that would come upon those who exploited others and thus enriched themselves. The message which the Lord’s people are commissioned to preach always includes these great principles. We are always to urge righteousness, and to point out the evil consequences of unrighteousness. “Seek righteousness, … it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger,” should be a part of our message today.—Zeph. 2:3

JEREMIAH 37:15-17—Those who speak for the Lord during this present evil world must expect to suffer as a result of their faithfulness; yet this should not deter them from the course of obedience. Jeremiah was told by the Lord that a high honor was attached to his commission, yet the prophet found himself imprisoned because he insisted on telling the people the truth which the Lord had given him to declare. Not all of the Lord’s servants have suffered so severely because of their faithfulness as did Jeremiah, but many have. Those who do not suffer any may well question how faithful they are in proclaiming the message given to them by the Lord.

Zedekiah was concerned to know whether or not there had been any change in the message which previously had been given by the prophet, whether or not the Lord had indicated particularly what his own experience was to be. Under the circumstances Jeremiah might well have been tempted to soften the blow which the truth must have inflicted upon this wicked king, but he did not. In a forthright manner he said to the king, “Thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.” May we also be faithful in declaring the truth which the Lord has given to us.

QUESTIONS

What is always true in connection with the Lord’s commission of service?

In what sense was Jeremiah commissioned to pull down and destroy?

What is always an important part of the message which the Lord gives his people to deliver?

As ambassadors of Christ, can we expect to be honored by the world?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |