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Atomic Bible
Jeremiah

Chapter 1

The Call of Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1 opens by locating the prophet in Judah's final decades and then recounts his call from the LORD. The chapter moves from Jeremiah's hesitation to his commissioning, then through two confirming visions into a closing charge that he must speak without fear because the God who sends him will also keep him.

As the book's opening chapter, this passage establishes Jeremiah's prophetic authority before the long work of warning, lament, and judgment begins. It frames the whole book by joining divine initiative, coming disaster from the north, and the promise that the prophet will stand under God's protection while speaking hard words.

1 section·323 words·~1 min read

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Jeremiah 1

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vv. 1-19

The Call of Jeremiah

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T1hese are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests in Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. 2The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah, 3and through the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, until the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.

4The word of the LORD came to me, saying: 5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, 6“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” 7But the LORD told me: 8Do not be afraid of them, 9Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: 10See, I have appointed you today

11And the word of the LORD came to me, asking, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” 12“You have observed correctly,” said the LORD, “for I am watching over My word to accomplish it.”

13Again the word of the LORD came to me, asking, “What do you see?” 14Then the LORD said to me, “Disaster from the north will be poured out on all who live in the land. 15For I am about to summon all the clans and kingdoms of the north,” declares the LORD. 16I will pronounce My judgments against them

17Get yourself ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18Now behold, this day I have made you like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land— against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

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  1. 01vv. 1-19The Call of JeremiahThe chapter's only section introduces Jeremiah in his historical setting, then recounts the LORD's call, commission, and confirming signs. What begins as hesitation becomes a sustained charge to speak into Judah's coming crisis, with the prophet's weakness answered by the presence and word of God.
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