Tuesday 15 January 2008
- Bible Book:
- Jeremiah
"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... Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me, 'Now, I have put my words in your mouth'". (v.5, 9)
Background
Here, in the account of God's call to Jeremiah we see severalsimilarities with God's call on the lives of other prophets:
- God asks the individual to speak a prophetic word.
- The person responds, stressing that they are either weak orsinful
- God anoints the individual by his spirit
This powerful description of Jeremiah being called beforehe was born may feel challenging to us. The idea that our lives arepre-ordained may feel rather scary and oppressive, but imagine agreat musician who didn't play, a great painter who refused topaint. For some people their gifts and vocation are deeplyentwined.
But many people view lifelong commitment with suspicion.Jeremiah is clearly told that the God who calls him will be withhim and equip him (verses 7 and 8).
To Ponder
What is your reaction to the idea that God cancall us before we are born?
God has hopes for each one of us. Our readinessto listen is needed if we are to discover what those hopes for usare. In what ways do you feel God's call upon your life?