Tyndale Open Study NotesJeremiah 1

Jeremiah's call is shown as a conversation. God spoke like a king to Jeremiah. Jeremiah's objections show he understood himself well. God answered his objections with promises and strong visions.

Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin are not on this list of kings. Each ruled for less than three months.

• In his first message from the Lord, Jeremiah learned three key truths about God:

  1. God knows everything, including each person.

  2. He can choose people for specific tasks even before they exist.

  3. He gives his authority to those he calls.

• God chose Jeremiah for a special task and made him a prophet.

• Jeremiah's work reached many nations. Although he left the kingdom of Judah only three times, people worldwide have heard or read his writings (see Jeremiah 13:4–7; 43:7–8).

Jeremiah was young (probably a teenager).

God encouraged Jeremiah to focus on the importance of his task. He needed to meet God's standards for a royal messenger. This included being willing to travel and faithfully delivering God's messages.

When God put his words in Jeremiah's mouth, he made Jeremiah an official royal messenger. God gave him the authority to speak publicly on his behalf.

The Hebrew words for "almond tree" (shaqed) and "watching" (shoqed) sound very similar. God used this connection to teach Jeremiah something important. The almond tree blooms very early, before other trees, in January or February.

When God showed Jeremiah an almond tree, he was telling him that just as the almond tree is alert and ready to bloom early, God is always alert and watching over his people. We can see this same idea of God's constant watchful care in Psalm 121:3–8.

Invading armies would bring terror to the people of Judah. Although Babylon was directly east of Judah, the desert between them forced the Babylonian army to attack Judah from the north. This invasion would be as destructive as rushing, boiling water

Jeremiah feared looking foolish as the Lord's messenger (see Jeremiah Book Introduction, “Literary Features: The Messenger System”). However, refusing God's command would be truly foolish.

A well-defended city could resist a siege for a long time, often until the attacking army left to handle another crisis in the empire.

declares the Lord: This statement is as powerful as a royal order (see study note on Jeremiah 2:2).