“A GOD OF SURPRISES”
Jeremiah Chapter 1
One of the sections of Scripture largely ignored by Christians is the five books of the Major Prophets. In this category are the books of the Old Testament: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. It is reported that there are at least two obvious reasons for this lack of interest.
o The first reason Bible scholars believe people avoid these books is because of their length.
o The second reason is because Christians believe there is so much symbolism in them that it is difficult to understand.
Well, tucked away in these books is an unbelievable openness and vulnerability on the part of the prophets themselves. One of the books is called Lamentations. It is written by Jeremiah who is given the nickname “the weeping prophet”. This name comes from the recognition that he was so filled with grief and sorrow during his life that he pours his pain out in that book. Even apart from the incredible message each of these men was given by God to proclaim, there are very applicable lessons for all Christians to glean from these books. Thus, during the next four months we are going to visit these stunning warriors for God. Since we are told in the New Testament that God has called ALL His sons and daughters to ministry, we will be looking at ministry through the eyes of the four messengers Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. So, welcome aboard as we embark on a journey of discovery walking alongside four outstanding biblical heroes.
For the month of November we will see Jeremiah’s experience in ministry. Today we begin by noticing that the God Jeremiah was called to serve is a “God of Surprises”. In chapter one, verse one we are told that Jeremiah was the “son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin”. It goes on to say, in chapter one, verses four and five, that “the word of the Lord came to [Jeremiah], saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’
This calling of Jeremiah is a total, complete surprise. Realize that in these opening verses, Jeremiah is born into the tribe of Levi. The Levites were the priests of the nation Israel. They were responsible for the work done within the Temple in Israel. They led the Hebrew nation in their spiritual worship. And around Jerusalem there were three small towns, settled by Levites. Such towns were provided for in Numbers 35 completely composed of Levites, only. There they lived and walked to work every scheduled tour of duty to serve God in the Temple worship. In such a town, Jeremiah was born. His dad was a priest. It was understood that all the boys of that town were to grow up to be priests in the temple. Now God comes along and calls one of them to be a prophet. A PROPHET WAS COMPLETELY IN A DIFFERENT OFFICE OR MINISTRY UNDER GOD’S PLAN, FOR ISRAEL.
One does not have to go far into the book of Jeremiah to realize that this special calling of God, given to Jeremiah, was costly to the prophet. In chapter 11, verses 18-23 the Lord informs Jeremiah that his home town took his calling as something horribly wrong and hated him for it. They are described as plotting against Jeremiah so he records, “I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me...” (v.19) God goes on to say that the Levites in his home town “were seeking his life and saying, ‘do not prophesy in the name of the Lord or you will die by our hands’. (v. 21)
Do we get the picture? Jeremiah is called by God to be involved in specific ministry and it goes against the popular thinking of his neighbors and friends. As for his acquaintances, he was wrong! They considered it foolishness and sin to be involved in the prophetic ministry. It was even threatening enough for them to oppose him and even seek his life. To say the least, it was going to cost this prophet deeply to serve his God. And the opposition did not come from the Babylonians who were God’s instrument of judgment, on Israel; it came from his own people.
It goes even further than this for Jeremiah. In chapter 12 verse 6, we read, “your brothers, your own family—even they have betrayed you; they have raised a loud cry against you, do not trust them, though they speak well of you.” I am amazed at how often, today as well, God’s people do not like His surprises when it comes to His plans for them to serve Him! Do you remember the words our own Lord taught His disciples in the New Testament? In Matthew 10:37-39 Jesus says, “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it!”
Jesus is using hyperbole (exaggeration for effect) in order to drive across His point. He really doesn’t teach people to have nothing to do with their families but is describing close family members’ expectations as being expendable to follow the leading of the Lord. THAT’S SACRIFICE, FOLKS! Jesus concludes his teaching in the parallel account with this statement in Luke 14:33, “Any of you who does not give up EVERYTHING HE HAS cannot be my disciple.”
I must add one more observation about serving the Lord before we apply this to our lives. Back in Jeremiah 1: 6-8 we read, “Ah Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, I am only a child. You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the Lord.” Bible scholars believe that Jeremiah was given this calling to minister by God while he was either in his late teens or early twenties. In Hebrew Old Testament culture he was still “wet behind the ears”. He was not respected nor had he put in his time learning the ropes. He was much like Timothy in the New Testament, who was sent by Paul to lead the church in Ephesus. Paul instructed Timothy “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)
Jeremiah faced a tremendous sacrifice in order to serve his God. He was hated, rejected, despised by his loved ones, his friends, his home town, and his nation. No wonder he was a “weeping prophet”! But, he fulfilled his calling. He did what God called him to do. He counted the cost and obediently served God. It cost him in this life. And though God fulfilled his promise to protect him, as we shall see; he experienced emotional, social and relational pain to be faithful to God. Serving God in ministry cost him dearly.
And serving God will cost every single one of us. This is precisely why so many modern day Christians simply follow the lead of the ancient Hebrews. They go through the motions in trying to live their faith. For them Christian faith is attending church when it is convenient (or maybe regularly), paying some of their income when the offering plate goes by, accepting a simple task in the life of their church, and counting it as adequate. It looks good to many of the people who see them doing their token service, but it is done without it being a priority in their lives. The commitment they offer God is partial, not one of being “sold out” to God!
Over my years of ministry I have watched Christian parents reject their children, at times, when God calls them to missions or spiritual service. I have also seen Christians look at the cost to serve God, as He is leading them and reject such service because the cost is too great, in their minds. The church across America is often seen, in general terms, to be more interested in the life of comfort and the “treasures on earth” rather than the “treasures in heaven”. Jesus concludes, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. (Matthew 6:19-21)
Welcome to the book of Jeremiah. It hits close to home, doesn’t it? Welcome to a God of surprises! He usually will surprise us with what He calls us to do. There are incredible dividends to serving God. However, ministry has a definite cost. We have just concluded the celebration of Communion. What makes it any different from all the other communion services you’ve attended? As we met around the table, did you use the occasion to give yourself totally, 100%, to God? Regardless of what He might ask of you (between now and the next communion meal), what will be different? Will it be the same routine? I can’t answer that for you. But God, the Holy Spirit wants all of you!
At the outset of this message, I called these prophets God’s stunning warriors. What God expects of us is clearly spelled out in the Bible. It is not guess work. There is no room to believe that it is for others. Every born-again believer in Jesus Christ is called to service. Today, Christians (way too often) call their own shots. They do it their way, not His! They do not join Church, they do not become part of the team (by choice), they do not recruit others to join and they write their own agenda for how Christian faith fits into their schedule. They put the Old Testament prophets in a special category that does not pertain to them. WHEN THEY DO THAT, THEY ARE COMPLETELY WRONG! God wants people who will count the cost and say, “Here am I, Lord! Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)