From Exile to Bold Servitude

"THEN THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME TO ME, SAYING: "BEFORE I FORMED YOU IN THE WOMB I KNEW YOU; BEFORE YOU WERE BORN I SANCTIFIED YOU; I ORDAINED YOU A PROPHET TO THE NATIONS." THEN SAID I: "AH, LORD GOD! BEHOLD, I CANNOT SPEAK, FOR I AM A YOUTH."" (JEREMIAH 1:4-6, NKJV)

To better understand these words, it is helpful, to understand the person and the perspective from which these words were written. Jeremiah 1:1 tells us that these are, "the words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin." That may not help you very much at first, but a deeper investigation soon reveals some very telling things about this author and about the message as a whole.

Jeremiah's name quite literally means, "God will elevate." The implication is one who is of a very low state, who then later is brought up. It is interesting to note from the Jewish records in 1 Kings 2:26 that Anathoth, the town where Jeremiah was brought up, was a place where men would be exiled. It was a place of banishment. No one came in and no one came out of this place. And nothing could really characterize Jeremiah and his message better than this portrait of exile and isolation. The message of Jeremiah is intensely personal filled with the thoughts and the desires and the inner personal conflicts of a man who is accustomed to four walls enclosed around his life.

The reluctance of Jeremiah following the call of God to emerge from this place of exile is much better understood when we take into consideration these overriding circumstances. Jeremiah's "animal spirit," as one calls it, would no doubt be something like the groundhog. As the groundhog begins to emerge from his hibernation in spring, he doesn't come out suddenly, but carefully, slowly, looking, sensing, any alert of danger nearby. Groundhogs are not social creatures by nature, and they will retreat quickly into isolation under threat of danger. But they are also very tenacious, and they will squeal loudly when found in the midst of a fight, which is why they've sometimes been nicknamed the "whistle-pig."

So many of these attributes are found in Jeremiah. Jeremiah is one who is given over to burrow in isolation when overcome with threats and danger. Regardless of how familiar you are with the book of Jeremiah, you've probably heard these words before where it was said, "The word of the Lord was made to me a reproach and a derision daily. Then I said, 'I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name.' But his word was in my heart like a burning fire..." (Jerm 20:9). Jeremiah tried to retreat, but he could not. When duty took hold of his convictions, he would return and boldly proclaim the word of God, even at the temple gates of Jerusalem, among the chief priests and rulers.

Have you been called to proclaim the Lord? You have. Jesus our Lord is calling you. He has called you from the womb. Jesus messenger says, "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared BEFOREHAND, that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10). You have been "predestined," to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:5). The messenger of the Lord even said, "there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were CALLED in one hope of your CALLING" (Eph. 4:4). Called to serve. Called to preach, to teach, to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Paul says take up the "helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17). You have been called to take up this word and "utter it forth," much like the prophets who were called in Jeremiah's day.

But perhaps like Jeremiah, you struggle with an emergence of your own from isolation, from a life enclosed within four walls. Maybe like Jeremiah, you've found yourself in a place of exile, spiritually. You've not been bold to proclaim the word to your neighbors. You've not even so much as extended the invitation. I can sympathize, because I have the same nature as you. I too am human, just a man, and when danger, threat, shame, or fear knocks at my door, I want to retreat. I want to burrow down deep. I want to put my head in the sand and say, "I'm not here. Don't pay attention to me. Don't even look at me, please." But this obviously is not the way.

So look at God's response to the reluctant prophet, and consider at least three things you can think about when you are experiencing feelings of doubt, insecurity, and fear. First, consider...

1. GOD'S POWER

1. Notice that the Lord says to Jeremiah in verse seven, "DO-NOT-SAY... you SHALL go... whatever I command you, you SHALL speak." That is God flexing His power before Jeremiah. When our Lord resurrected, He Himself said, "ALL AUTHORITY has been given to me, Go therefore..." That's Jesus friends, flexing His power before His disciples. When you find yourself standing flames that are engulfing your home, that will be a moment when you realize you don't really have a choice in the matter. You're either going to get out and go or lose your life. Serving Jesus can be like standing before an engulfing fire, it is a matter life or death, obedience leading to life or disobedience leading to death. That may not sound like the Jesus you hear about today, but the Jesus we read about in the Bible is a consuming fire. 2 Thessalonians 1:8 says that when the Lord Jesus returns, He will return in "flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who DO NOT OBEY the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." Oh, so what you're saying is, fear should drive me to do His will. That's not what my preacher says about Jesus. But what does Jesus say? Revelation 2:18, "These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire." "Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against... with the sword of My mouth" (Revelation 2:16)... God told Jeremiah "do not say." That's the power of God. And Jeremiah had to weigh his option like you and me, to obey or disobey. But then also consider...

2. GOD'S PROTECTION

1. "Do not be afraid of their faces," the Lord says to Jeremiah in verse eight, "For I am with you to deliver you." The truth of the matter is, nothing God asks of us today is wrong, bad, or evil. It may not always be comfortable, it may not always be convenient, but as John writes in his letter, "his commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3). The only thing that really keeps us from doing His will, is the fear of those around us. That is the driving force often times behind our reluctance, not that the Lord's commandments are difficult, but that the reaction we will often times receive from others is what drives us away from doing them. "Do not fear," the Lord says. "But how can I not," you say. By realizing the Lord's protection is there for you. "I am with you to deliver you," says the Lord. Jesus follower Paul knew He could trust in the protection of the Lord Jesus, "the Lord will deliver me from every evil work" (2 Tim. 4:18). You may not be able to see Him here today, in spiritual or physical body, but He is here. He's sitting next to you now. "I am with you," (Mat. 28:20). And finally, consider...

3. GOD'S PROVISION

1. "Behold," God says in verse nine, "I have put My words in your mouth... See I have this day set you over the nations..." We often struggle with inadequacy. Jeremiah struggled specifically in this context with lack of age and experience. How much of that may have just been an excuse, we're not told. But when we consider our nature as human, we know what a struggle it can be to feel confident, to feel adequate, to feel equipped for the task. But Jesus told His disciples, "Do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you..." (Mat. 10:19). Those things which were given to the early followers are now contained in our Bibles. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God... that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). You have nothing to worry about dear soldier of Christ. Jesus has provided everything you need to fulfill His Great Commission. "Go therefore, into all the world, and make disciples."

Conclusion

Notice that God says in verse twelve, "I am ready..."

Are you ready?

Are you ready to emerge from exile into bold servitude? Get ready friend. As it was in Jeremiah's day, there's a boiling pot, a day of judgment, and it is ready to be poured out as we speak. The world needs you. It needs you to proclaim the saving word of grace. "Behold I have put My words in your mouth... to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant."