Jeremiah 1 - Introduction

REVIEW OF CHAPTER FOUR

I. Facts to Master.

1.

The time when God selected Jeremiah for his mission (Jeremiah 1:5).

2.

The reason Jeremiah was reluctant to accept the commission (Jeremiah 1:6).

3.

The significance of God touching the mouth of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:9).

4.

The way in which the ministry of Jeremiah is described negatively and positively.

5.

The two visions which Jeremiah saw in connection with his call.

6.

The significance of the almond tree.

7.

The significance of the boiling caldron.

8.

Meaning of all the families of the kingdoms of the north (Jeremiah 1:15).

9.

Reason Jerusalem will be destroyed (Jeremiah 1:16).

10.

Figures by which the spiritual strength of Jeremiah is described (Jeremiah 1:18).

11.

Reason for the spiritual strength of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:19).

II. Questions to Ponder.

1.

Why is it appropriate to have the call of the prophet recorded in the first chapter of the book? Did the prophets require some authentication of their claim to be God's spokesmen? (cf. Jeremiah chapter 23).

2.

How is the call of Jeremiah like and unlike the calls of Moses (Exodus 3-4), Elisha (1 Kings 19), Amos (chapter 7), Isaiah (chapter 6), and Ezekiel (Chapter s 1-3)?

3.

How should one imagine the conversation between God and the prophet to have taken place? Was the voice of God audible or did he speak to the mind of the prophet? Is there any evidence that the prophet was in a trance at the time of his call?

4.

In what sense did God predestinate Jeremiah?

5.

What are some of the negative aspects of the ministry which the man of God must face up to today?

6.

Why does God often choose the weak (or those cognizant of their weakness) for important tasks? See 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 2 Corinthians 4:7.