Consider the Call(ing)
In this second posting on the prophetic calling, we’ll continue to keep in mind all the aspects of the Call(er), our holy God who does the work of calling His people. With this foundation, we’ll begin to hone in on Jeremiah’s calling in the first chapter of the book bearing his name. Of course, we will look at the calling of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel as well, but our focus will be on the prophet Jeremiah’s calling. Side note: Our home church’s monthly reading plan puts us squarely in Jeremiah this month.
We’ll also use this to make some practical application to the Gospel work that Christ has called us to.
The calling of Jeremiah, like the prophets, apostles, and missionaries found through the historical redemptive narrative involves a few common elements. Let’s look at verse 7:
“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak”
This verse merits so much study and comparison. However, for the sake of time, I’d like to make 3 simple observations about the call of the believer to ministry that we see in Jeremiah’s commissioning.
The Calling might be something we object to, but God’s rebuttal is swift and clear
The Calling often involves being sent
The Calling must involve speaking God’s Word
Having made these simple observations, let’s dig into these statements, and see the clarity with which Scripture and the rest of chapter 1 support these observations.
1.The Calling might be something we object to, but God’s rebuttal is swift and clear
Jeremiah would seem to protest and express that his age or lack of experience disqualify him for the prophetic task that God is assigning to him. This line of argument is one we see addressed in other men of God in Scripture.
Moses: I’ve got this problem with stammering lips
Isaiah: I’ve got this problem with unclean lips
Elisha: I’m a bit busy plowing my dad’s land at the moment. Could we do this later?
Jonah: I’d rather not, God. No thanks.
Paul: I’m sorta like, uh, the chief of sinners. And I hated Christ. I’m sorta an unlikely pick, don’t you think, Lord?
God, through His appointed messengers (e.g Elijah, Ananias) quickly provides a rebuttal to these objections.
Moses: Fair enough, take your brother Aaron with to speak for you.
Isaiah: These hot coals should do the trick. I will make provision to cleanse you and the people you’ll go to.
Elisha: Ok, let’s bbq the oxen as a sacrifice. Go kiss ma and pa good bye, and let’s do this.
Jonah: Ok, make this difficult if you like, but I’d like to arrange alternate transportation to Nineveh for you. 1 way ticket.
Paul: Let’s restore your sight, get you baptized, and how about sharing Christ’s Gospel with the Gentiles?
Perhaps in your own life you’ve objected to something the Lord has called you to. The calling to repentance? The calling to sanctification? The calling to ministry? The calling to some small step of obedience? God has a response to your objection.
2.The Calling often involves being sent
Verse 7 says that Jeremiah is to go to all whom God is sending him. This calling might involve going from point A to point B and delivering God’s message to a specific group of people. For Jeremiah, this meant some travel around town (Jerusalem) and a trip or two (e.g Babylon plus some time incarcerated) to relay God’s Word.
Again, leaning on our reading of Scripture, we know that we are called to get busy in obedience. Jeremiah is told to get dressed, get up, and get to work. Being called requires action. Nothing about God’s call to repentance, ministry, and obedience permits inaction. We can dig into the missiology of calling and sending to people groups some other time, but we know that Ezekiel was not sent to a foreign people and Jeremiah was asked to preach to his own country men. And we know that the audience, while not far away geographically, was a tough crowd. God warns and promises that being sent will require not only action, but Gospel resolve.
“But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything I command to you. Do not be dismayed before them or I will dismay you before them.”
3. The Calling must involve speaking God’s Word
Jeremiah was told that God would give Him the words to say. God actually gave Jeremiah two mini-visions to test his ability to listen, discern, and retell God’s message to the intended audience. Jeremiah saw:
an almond branch (verse 1:11)- a sign of spring and a Hebrew pun using a word that means watching or waking, which hints are God’s faithfulness
a boiling pot, facing away from the north (1:13-15)- boiling or blown upon* suggests that trouble is brewing and that God is preparing northern kingdoms like Assyria, Babylonia and perhaps others to execute His wrath against Judah
*from Preaching the Word commentary Jeremiah, by Phillip Ryken, pp. 30-33, Crossway Books
“Behold I have put my words in your mouth”
We know from Deuteronomy that a prophet called by God must only speak the words that God gives. We also know, like with Ezekiel, that God’s Word is sweet like honey to the lips of the messenger, even when they are words of warning, judgement, and are bitter to the hearer. Again, for this reason the calling requires valor and Gospel resolve. We’ll get to God’s promise to the called in days ahead, but for now we ought to rejoice that God has given us His Word and has called us to share it with fidelity and courage.