Verses 4-5: His election and calling
Before we consider how and when Jeremiah was elected of God let us first notice a lovely phrase that God uses of the development of a baby within the womb. He "formed" Jeremiah. This word is the same as that used by God in Genesis 2.7 when He formed man of the dust of the earth. It is indicative of the potter and his vessel, of great care taken and skill utilised that the end product may be to the desire of the creator. We think of the Psalmist, who recognised that he was fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139.14). Not that man in general is an excellent display of God's ability, but that he individually was an astounding product of God's workmanship. Problems arise in our minds when we consider this, for we say, "What about all those that have severe problems from birth?". Scripture is clear, that they too are His workmanship, and even them God has formed and in His sovereignty declared that they should be formed as such. Consider the question of the disciples in John: "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind". The disciples got it all wrong, and so let us listen to the answer and ponder the wisdom of God in it all: "Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him" (Jn 9.2-3).
As we consider now the election of Jeremiah seen in v.5 it must be noted that what is stated by God here parallels exactly what we find written concerning those that would be one day glorified (Rom 8). We see that Jeremiah was elected according to how God had foreknown him before his conception. Now let us not think that this foreknowledge is concerned with how Jeremiah would be faithful to God, but rather that it is one of a special love and affection, a knowledge that in particular God only has of His own. We think of Moses, "I know thee by name" (Ex 33.12); the Good Shepherd, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (Jn 10.27); and Mary, "Jesus saith unto her, Mary" (one word which speaks a thousand volumes when considered in its context) (Jn 20.16). And it is in this foreknowledge that God elected Jeremiah, that He did set him apart from the rest of Israel, or as God says, "I sanctified thee". The truth of God's divine choice of individuals for Himself permeates the whole of Scripture. Think of Jacob - his mother hears of God's choice of the younger while he was struggling in the womb (Gen 25.22-23). Turn to the New Testament and see John the Baptist, called John by God and declared to be great before God prior even to his conception (Lk 1.13). And so with us: "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate" (Rom 8.29), and them He also set apart for Himself. So we have God's divine choice of a select group of individuals that they may be known as His own and given to His Beloved Son (Jn 6.37; Heb 2.13).
But what of Jeremiah's calling - he was called to be a prophet. We can be sure that this position was seen as one of great honour and was desired of many, giving rise to sundry false prophets that sought honour from kings by declaring falsehood. However, we see that the work of a prophet was not something to which man appointed himself, but was rather one that was given by God to a select group of people. The prophet of God would have to be attentive to the Word of God, be obedient to that Word, and declare it accurately to all that God would have him address. When we consider all that we have recorded for us concerning the Old Testament prophets, we can conclude that this vocation in life truly was not something to be highly desired, but one that men, naturally speaking, would avoid at all cost. The latter part of Hebrews 11 shows us that - hence Jeremiah's reluctance, perhaps. There is one thing though that gives us reassurance when it comes to such a position before God and it is that those so appointed have been chosen by Him, He knows them, and He has His man for the job. Think of Paul: God says that "…he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles...I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake" (Acts 9.15-16). So what is the calling of them which are in Christ for this present age? Simply, that we are called unto good works that we should walk in them (Eph 2.10). This, I would suggest, means, in measure, that we are called to live a life which is completely in accord with the mind of God in every respect, in all that we do. God has a view on how every aspect of our lives should be - marriage, employment, gospel work, helping the poor, just to name a few. Therefore, we all have a responsibility before God to seek His mind and will for all things in our lives.
The question must be asked, Does one have a choice in this matter? For the answer let us have a few examples. Look at Jeremiah: "I ordained thee a prophet", said God; now if Jeremiah is to be obedient to God he will take up this mantle and be a prophet of God. How about John the Baptist, "filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb" (Lk 1.15); in disobedience he could have grieved that Spirit and gone his own way, but the will of God for his life was that he should be "The voice of one crying in the wilderness" (Mt 3.3 etc). But let us see Jonah, called to preach to those that were the enemy of his people, but refusing the call, turning his back on God. There is something marvellous here for us, for, although he was heading in the opposite direction, God laid hold on him. God had to bring him low, but Jonah soon turned on his heels and started in the direction God wanted. The story of Jonah clearly teaches that if God has something for us to do, then He is able to bring us to do it. Let us see this in the New Testament; maybe not in as dramatic a way as with the story of Jonah, but in Paul and his companions, journeying all over Asia Minor and preaching in every place that they came to, but then "the Spirit suffered them not" (Acts 16.7) - they were looking to go in the wrong direction, and it took a vision from God for them to be corrected. So we see that the person in full obedience to God has no say on any matter when it comes to fulfilling the will of God for the life; all we have is submission. Our downfall, however, is that we are of Adam's nature and are prone to head in the wrong direction from time to time. Just look at Paul once again; having been told by the Spirit not to head to Jerusalem (Acts 21.4), he would listen, and so was beaten, and had to be saved by God through Roman intervention. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth" (Heb 12.6). "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom 12.1-2).
To be continued.
