1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,080 Speaker 1: Let us pray. And the vessel that he made of 2 00:00:04,120 --> 00:00:07,880 Speaker 1: clay was marred in the hand of the potter, so 3 00:00:08,119 --> 00:00:11,520 Speaker 1: he made it again in another vessel, as seemed good 4 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:17,760 Speaker 1: to the potter to make it. Jeremiah eighteen four. As 5 00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:22,160 Speaker 1: the words of to day's reading echoed deep in my ears, 6 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:28,520 Speaker 1: may the truths be etched on my heart like tattoos, 7 00:00:28,960 --> 00:00:31,280 Speaker 1: For to day is the day that I accept my 8 00:00:31,520 --> 00:00:35,760 Speaker 1: call to be set apart and consecrated to do great 9 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:41,000 Speaker 1: works for your name, Emily Father. When doubts begin to 10 00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:45,720 Speaker 1: arise in my mind, like Jeremiah, I thank you that 11 00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:49,199 Speaker 1: your word will rise up within me like a flame 12 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:53,480 Speaker 1: and burn all limiting beliefs that seek to hold me back. 13 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: Your word in Jeremiah one five says that before I 14 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:03,360 Speaker 1: was in my mother's womb, you had already called me. 15 00:01:04,800 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 1: So I thank you that no name, no words, no 16 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:13,840 Speaker 1: harmful lies that were ever spoken over my life can 17 00:01:13,880 --> 00:01:19,600 Speaker 1: bear any weight, because before they spoke them, you already 18 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:24,919 Speaker 1: spoke blessing of purpose over me. Whether I had people 19 00:01:24,959 --> 00:01:28,760 Speaker 1: who believed in me or people who doubted me, it 20 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:33,920 Speaker 1: doesn't take away from my calling and my destiny. Therefore, 21 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:38,920 Speaker 1: like Jeremiah, I will stand tall and speak what you 22 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:43,199 Speaker 1: tell me to speak. I will build what you called 23 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:46,959 Speaker 1: me to build, knowing that nothing can stop the momentum 24 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:51,440 Speaker 1: of my life because the potter of my life has 25 00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:56,520 Speaker 1: me on his wheel of destiny and in his hands 26 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:02,600 Speaker 1: I am molded and created for great and I thank 27 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:12,799 Speaker 1: you Lord that through you it shall be done. In Jesus' name. Amen, 28 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:17,680 Speaker 1: thank you for making prayer a priority in your day. 29 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:21,960 Speaker 1: To learn more about the Bible, stay tuned for today's story, 30 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:25,000 Speaker 1: brought to you by Bible in a year dot. 31 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:38,960 Speaker 2: Com The Broken pot In our last story, Josiah continued 32 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:42,399 Speaker 2: his reform over the nation of Judah. He cut down 33 00:02:42,440 --> 00:02:46,160 Speaker 2: all the remnants of old idols and reinstated the passover 34 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:50,919 Speaker 2: to remember the freedom in God. However, the people continued 35 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:55,160 Speaker 2: to long after their corrupt ways. The Lord gave Josiah 36 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:59,359 Speaker 2: a gentle warning judgment was coming upon Judah for all 37 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:02,919 Speaker 2: its pass sins. There would be a reckoning for all 38 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:06,320 Speaker 2: the innocent souls that were led astray by past kings. 39 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:10,679 Speaker 2: Now we peer into the life and calling of Jeremiah, 40 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:14,240 Speaker 2: who was a prophet during the reign of Josiah. We 41 00:03:14,400 --> 00:03:17,960 Speaker 2: learn of Jeremiah's first call from God and the images 42 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:24,639 Speaker 2: that were shown to him. Inspired by the Book of Jeremiah. 43 00:03:24,680 --> 00:03:27,359 Speaker 3: Hello and welcome once again to the Bible and of 44 00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:31,000 Speaker 3: Year podcast. This is Jack Graham, And in our last 45 00:03:31,040 --> 00:03:34,480 Speaker 3: reading we heard how Josiah brought the people back to God, 46 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:37,040 Speaker 3: reading the Book of the Law the Covenant to them 47 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:40,920 Speaker 3: and calling them to renew their faith in God, the 48 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:43,760 Speaker 3: covenant that God had made with Israel in the days 49 00:03:43,880 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 3: of Moses. He then went through the land and destroyed 50 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:50,040 Speaker 3: altars and shrines to honor God and protect people from 51 00:03:50,240 --> 00:03:55,560 Speaker 3: falling back into idolatry and spiritual bondage. Josiah had already 52 00:03:55,600 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 3: received word from God that his people would be judged 53 00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:02,040 Speaker 3: for their unfaithfulness to We'll see the beginning of this 54 00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:04,840 Speaker 3: time with the initial call of the prophet who would 55 00:04:04,880 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 3: have great significance in the story of God's people. That 56 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:12,560 Speaker 3: prophet is Jeremiah. So let's listen to God's word today. 57 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:17,880 Speaker 2: In the days of King Josiah, the Righteous, Jeremiah was 58 00:04:17,920 --> 00:04:21,479 Speaker 2: walking in the temple courtyards. It was dusk and the 59 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:26,000 Speaker 2: sky was a shimmering amber. Jeremiah watched the sun slide 60 00:04:26,040 --> 00:04:30,159 Speaker 2: behind the horizon. The west wind whistled gently and the 61 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:35,000 Speaker 2: trees beside the temple swayed to the evening lullaby. Jeremiah 62 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:38,240 Speaker 2: sat down as the daylight left the land. He was 63 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:41,039 Speaker 2: a very young man. Often he sought the Lord in 64 00:04:41,080 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 2: the coolness of nightfall. As Jeremiah closed his eyes, he 65 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:48,039 Speaker 2: could hear a quiet voice in the wind, along with 66 00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:51,920 Speaker 2: it a gentle warmth and presence. The Lord spoke to 67 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:56,799 Speaker 2: Jeremiah as he sat beside the temple. Before I formed 68 00:04:56,800 --> 00:05:01,240 Speaker 2: you in your mother's womb, I knew you, Jeremiah. His 69 00:05:01,400 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 2: voice was firm and strong, but refreshing to the soul. 70 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:11,520 Speaker 2: Jeremiah was equally mesmerized and afraid. Before you were born, 71 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:14,960 Speaker 2: I set you apart for the nations. I have chosen 72 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 2: you as a prophet to them. You shall be the 73 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:23,479 Speaker 2: declarer of my wisdom and judgment. The Lord spoke past 74 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:28,280 Speaker 2: Jeremiah's mind and straight to his heart. Jeremiah quivered at 75 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:31,599 Speaker 2: the Lord's call. He knew that the position of prophet 76 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:38,320 Speaker 2: was a great responsibility. With it came trials, judgment, and persecution. 77 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:44,080 Speaker 2: My God, Jeremiah stuttered, I do not know how to 78 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:47,279 Speaker 2: speak your truth. I am only a boy. How could 79 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 2: I do such things? Do not say to me, I 80 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:54,560 Speaker 2: am too young. The Lord replied, wherever I call you, 81 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:57,640 Speaker 2: you will go. What I tell you you speak, fear 82 00:05:57,720 --> 00:06:01,039 Speaker 2: is for those who do not have my presence. A 83 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:04,919 Speaker 2: bright light then burst through his mind's eye, and Jeremiah 84 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 2: was swept into the presence of God. He felt a 85 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:11,480 Speaker 2: hand stretch out to him and touch his mouth. Behold, 86 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:14,560 Speaker 2: I have placed my words in your mouth. You are 87 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:17,280 Speaker 2: to be set apart to watch over all the nations 88 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:20,839 Speaker 2: and kingdoms. You shall witness the building and breaking of 89 00:06:20,920 --> 00:06:26,080 Speaker 2: all things before you. Jeremiah turned his mind's eyes forward. 90 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:30,320 Speaker 2: He saw a budding almond branch slowly growing before him, 91 00:06:30,440 --> 00:06:34,640 Speaker 2: and budding beautiful little flowers. He heard the Lord behind him, 92 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:40,640 Speaker 2: asking Jeremiah, what do you see. I see an almond branch. 93 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:46,400 Speaker 2: Jeremiah whispered, yes, you see. Well, it, like everything else, 94 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:50,960 Speaker 2: grows according to my word. The Lord replied, now, what 95 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:55,760 Speaker 2: do you see. Jeremiah felt the whistling wind pick up 96 00:06:55,839 --> 00:06:58,719 Speaker 2: as he was shown the image of a pot facing north. 97 00:06:59,560 --> 00:07:02,000 Speaker 2: The pot was over a fire and the water was 98 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:06,200 Speaker 2: simmering into a boil. Jeremiah watched as the boiling water 99 00:07:06,279 --> 00:07:10,760 Speaker 2: grew heavier, eventually spilling over onto the fire. Below, I 100 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 2: see a boiling pot, Jeremiah answered, God, it is facing 101 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 2: away from the north. The Lord continued, this time his 102 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:23,559 Speaker 2: tone was intense and filled with warning. Out of the north, 103 00:07:23,680 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 2: disaster is boiling. Soon the kingdoms of the North will 104 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:30,640 Speaker 2: boil over onto the land of Judah. They shall come, 105 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:33,200 Speaker 2: and it will be with my permission, for I am 106 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:36,000 Speaker 2: allowing them to come into the land as judgment for 107 00:07:36,120 --> 00:07:40,360 Speaker 2: Judah's past sins. They will burn and break, but they 108 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 2: shall not destroy, for I am still a merciful God. 109 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:49,040 Speaker 2: Jeremiah still struggled to completely understand the will of God. 110 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:51,720 Speaker 2: Although he was meant to be a messenger of the Lord, 111 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:54,800 Speaker 2: that did not mean he was particularly equipped to give it. 112 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:58,560 Speaker 2: The Lord was gracious to Jeremiah and showed him several 113 00:07:58,560 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 2: images of his plan to help explain, arise and go 114 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 2: down to the Potter's house in Jerusalem. There I will 115 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:09,120 Speaker 2: show you my will. So Jeremiah packed his things and 116 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:12,720 Speaker 2: made his way to the potter's house. It was dawned 117 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 2: by the time Jeremiah made it, and the potter was 118 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 2: already hard at work. The rooms smelled like clay in 119 00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 2: camp fire. Jeremiah watched as the potter worked at his wheel. 120 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:26,440 Speaker 2: The clay spun fast on the wheel, tamed by the 121 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 2: potter's guiding hands. Jeremiah watched as the potter gracefully worked 122 00:08:31,240 --> 00:08:34,080 Speaker 2: his hands up and down the clay, molding it into 123 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:37,920 Speaker 2: a tall and thin shape. The vessel continued to spin 124 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:40,680 Speaker 2: on the wheel, However, it began to wobble and lose 125 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 2: its thin frame. The top began to sag, and its 126 00:08:44,080 --> 00:08:47,800 Speaker 2: edges became sloppy. Jeremiah became worried that the pot was 127 00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:50,840 Speaker 2: ruined and expected the potter to throw away the clay 128 00:08:50,880 --> 00:08:54,400 Speaker 2: and start over. Instead, the potter pressed his fist down 129 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:57,240 Speaker 2: on the top of the clay. It continued to spin 130 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:01,400 Speaker 2: and form into a round and wide bowl. Jeremiah's eyes 131 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:04,240 Speaker 2: widened as he saw the potter form a pot far 132 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:08,920 Speaker 2: more beautiful than the one before. The potter meticulously designed 133 00:09:09,000 --> 00:09:12,160 Speaker 2: the handles and spun the pot into a marvelous work 134 00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 2: of art. Jeremiah did not realize it, but he was 135 00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:19,559 Speaker 2: crying watching the potter work. The Lord then spoke to 136 00:09:19,679 --> 00:09:23,400 Speaker 2: Jeremiah's heart. Can I not do the same thing that 137 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:27,320 Speaker 2: the potter has done? God said softly. The clay in 138 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 2: the potter's hand was unruly and unbalanced. It had to 139 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:35,720 Speaker 2: be broken down to make something more marvelous. Jeremiah watched 140 00:09:35,800 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 2: the potter as he listened to the Lord. I am 141 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:43,320 Speaker 2: shaping disaster so that something more splendid may be made. 142 00:09:43,679 --> 00:09:47,200 Speaker 2: Jeremiah was filled with purpose. After this, he left the 143 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:50,120 Speaker 2: potter's house and began to call out the declarations of 144 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:53,319 Speaker 2: God and the temple court yards in the city streets. 145 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:58,800 Speaker 2: Amen your ways, Jeremiah declared, turn from your evil ways 146 00:09:58,840 --> 00:10:03,280 Speaker 2: and embrace your safe Much of Jeremiah's words fell on 147 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:07,760 Speaker 2: deaf ears. People passed and paid no attention. In fact, 148 00:10:07,840 --> 00:10:10,880 Speaker 2: many of them began to grumble at his words. Yet 149 00:10:10,960 --> 00:10:15,280 Speaker 2: Jeremiah continued to speak. We have turned our backs on God, 150 00:10:15,679 --> 00:10:18,440 Speaker 2: he says to us, My people have forgotten me. Like 151 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:23,079 Speaker 2: a bride running away from his groom. As Jeremiah spoke 152 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:25,920 Speaker 2: the words given to him by God, his heart began 153 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:29,439 Speaker 2: to break. He could feel the hurt in the Lord's words. 154 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:33,440 Speaker 2: He loved his people, and year after years since freeing 155 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:36,440 Speaker 2: them from slavery, they had found new ways to turn 156 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:40,479 Speaker 2: away from him. Sorrow filled his heart, so he continued 157 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:44,800 Speaker 2: to proclaim the warnings of God unashamed. This caused some 158 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 2: elders to conspire against Jeremiah and sent him threats. He 159 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:53,120 Speaker 2: did not cease preaching. He leaned on God for courage 160 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:57,400 Speaker 2: and pressed on. It was midday and Jeremiah was outside 161 00:10:57,400 --> 00:11:00,440 Speaker 2: the temple gates proclaiming the word of the Lord. He 162 00:11:00,559 --> 00:11:04,000 Speaker 2: spoke with the love and intensity of God, warning people 163 00:11:04,040 --> 00:11:07,840 Speaker 2: to repent and turned back to their first love. Pashur, 164 00:11:08,080 --> 00:11:12,760 Speaker 2: the chief officer and priest, watched Jeremiah from afar. He 165 00:11:12,800 --> 00:11:15,400 Speaker 2: could not stand the man, speaking as though he was 166 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:19,480 Speaker 2: the only mouthpiece of God. Jealousy dug its roots down 167 00:11:19,559 --> 00:11:23,440 Speaker 2: deep into his heart. Eventually, hatred boiled over in him. 168 00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:26,320 Speaker 2: He picked up a club that was often used to 169 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:29,680 Speaker 2: protect the priests in case of a robbery, and stormed 170 00:11:29,679 --> 00:11:33,760 Speaker 2: towards Jeremiah. The prophet could barely see the shadow of 171 00:11:33,800 --> 00:11:36,320 Speaker 2: Pashur before the club struck him over the side of 172 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:39,800 Speaker 2: his face. Jeremiah fell onto the floor and smacked his 173 00:11:39,880 --> 00:11:44,720 Speaker 2: head on the cobblestone floor. Disoriented, Jeremiah stumbled to his knees, 174 00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 2: only to be kicked in the jar. Blood dripped from 175 00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:51,960 Speaker 2: his mouth. He finally glanced up to see Pashur looming 176 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 2: over him. Before Jeremiah could say a word, he received 177 00:11:55,679 --> 00:11:58,319 Speaker 2: a swift kick in of it. He could feel them 178 00:11:58,320 --> 00:12:02,560 Speaker 2: crack on impact. Rithing in pain, Jeremiah managed to open 179 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:05,959 Speaker 2: his eyes only to see the club descending down once again, 180 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:11,680 Speaker 2: knocking him unconscious. Jeremiah woke up the next day. The 181 00:12:11,760 --> 00:12:13,840 Speaker 2: sun was beating down on the back of his neck. 182 00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:16,160 Speaker 2: He tried to move his hands to rub it, but 183 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:20,480 Speaker 2: could not. Regaining consciousness, Jeremiah discovered that his head and 184 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:23,440 Speaker 2: hands were bound in the stocks outside the temple gates. 185 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 2: People passed by him, giving him grim looks of disapproval 186 00:12:27,640 --> 00:12:32,440 Speaker 2: or hatred. Jeremiah hung there all day, receiving the spitting 187 00:12:32,559 --> 00:12:36,600 Speaker 2: and ridicule of passerbyers. He did not stop praying the 188 00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:40,480 Speaker 2: entire time. Although many of his prayers were asking God 189 00:12:40,559 --> 00:12:44,240 Speaker 2: to release him, he maintained his mission to preach repentance. 190 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:47,360 Speaker 2: The day was drawing to a close and Jeremiah could 191 00:12:47,400 --> 00:12:50,840 Speaker 2: hear the footsteps of Pascheur behind him. Without a word, 192 00:12:50,920 --> 00:12:54,080 Speaker 2: Pasher released him from the stocks and began to walk away. 193 00:12:54,720 --> 00:12:58,760 Speaker 2: Jeremiah cleared his throat. His head was throbbing due to 194 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:02,240 Speaker 2: dehydration and the beating from the day before. He stood 195 00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:05,120 Speaker 2: to his feet and stuttered out a few words. The 196 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:10,080 Speaker 2: Lord no longer calls you Pascheur, Jeremiah said. The officer 197 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:14,040 Speaker 2: turned his head in curiosity. Jeremiah looked him deeply in 198 00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:18,880 Speaker 2: the eyes. You are no longer called Passheur, but terror 199 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:23,439 Speaker 2: on every side. Passur reached for his club to give 200 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:27,960 Speaker 2: Jeremiah another beating, but Jeremiah continued, this time with the 201 00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:32,600 Speaker 2: full intensity of God behind his words. Thus says the Lord, 202 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:35,320 Speaker 2: I will make you a terror to yourself and to 203 00:13:35,440 --> 00:13:40,079 Speaker 2: all who love you. Passur froze, listening to Jeremiah intently. 204 00:13:40,679 --> 00:13:44,000 Speaker 2: They shall all fall by the sword of Babylon. All 205 00:13:44,040 --> 00:13:46,000 Speaker 2: of Judah will be given into the hand of the 206 00:13:46,040 --> 00:13:50,239 Speaker 2: great Northern Kingdom. Your friends shall be carried away as captives, 207 00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:52,520 Speaker 2: and all the wealth of the city shall be taken. 208 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:55,520 Speaker 2: And you, Pashur, will be carried away as a captive. 209 00:13:56,400 --> 00:13:57,800 Speaker 2: You shall die as a captive. 210 00:13:57,960 --> 00:13:58,679 Speaker 1: Like many. 211 00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:03,320 Speaker 2: Fled from the prophet, and Jeremiah fell to his knees 212 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:06,240 Speaker 2: and wept. He lamented that he was given the role 213 00:14:06,320 --> 00:14:10,480 Speaker 2: of warning Judah. He wanted to stop, He wanted to 214 00:14:10,520 --> 00:14:13,640 Speaker 2: cease preaching the word of the Lord. However, as Jeremiah 215 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:16,640 Speaker 2: prayed to the Lord, he knew that he must continue. 216 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:19,000 Speaker 2: If I did not preach your truth, there would be 217 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:22,160 Speaker 2: a fire in my bones to speak. I cannot help 218 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:25,160 Speaker 2: but proclaim your name. I would be weary if I 219 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:28,800 Speaker 2: held it in. Jeremiah felt the heart of God. He 220 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:31,360 Speaker 2: would preach to people who would not listen. He would 221 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:34,920 Speaker 2: love people that would hate him in return. This was 222 00:14:34,960 --> 00:14:37,760 Speaker 2: the burden and calling of a shepherd. 223 00:14:41,920 --> 00:14:45,960 Speaker 3: Today's reading begins with a calling. God's voice goes out 224 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 3: to a young man in the courtyard of God's temple, Jeremiah. 225 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:53,800 Speaker 3: That man wasn't expecting this, but God had planned things 226 00:14:53,840 --> 00:14:56,920 Speaker 3: for him since before he was conceived, even in his 227 00:14:57,040 --> 00:15:00,760 Speaker 3: mother's womb. If there was ever any doubt how God 228 00:15:00,880 --> 00:15:04,920 Speaker 3: views the unborn, the words he speaks to Jeremiah leaves 229 00:15:05,040 --> 00:15:08,480 Speaker 3: us no doubt. There was a prophet in the womb 230 00:15:08,720 --> 00:15:11,800 Speaker 3: of this woman, his mother. God knew him and had 231 00:15:11,840 --> 00:15:15,520 Speaker 3: a purpose for him before his life begin, and that 232 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:19,320 Speaker 3: life began when he was conceived. A calling from God 233 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:22,680 Speaker 3: is a privilege, and it should not be taken lightly. 234 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:27,160 Speaker 3: Jeremiah seemed to understand the depth and gravity of this call. 235 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:31,640 Speaker 3: This would be costly and often uncomfortable. People would even 236 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:34,720 Speaker 3: hate him and want to take his life, and his 237 00:15:34,760 --> 00:15:38,360 Speaker 3: first reaction is to object. I'm too young to speak 238 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 3: for you, was his reply. But God was not interested 239 00:15:41,760 --> 00:15:46,680 Speaker 3: in Jeremiah's objection or excuses. Still, he encouraged the young man, 240 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:50,400 Speaker 3: saying in Jeremiah one eighth, do not be afraid of them, 241 00:15:50,720 --> 00:15:53,520 Speaker 3: for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord. 242 00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 3: God was reminding Jeremiah what we also need to hear, 243 00:15:58,520 --> 00:16:02,520 Speaker 3: that He who called us is greater than any obstacle 244 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 3: that we face. That if God before us, who can 245 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:09,400 Speaker 3: be against us, we shall always listen to the still 246 00:16:09,440 --> 00:16:12,560 Speaker 3: small voice, to the word of God that calls us 247 00:16:12,640 --> 00:16:16,400 Speaker 3: to his service. The Lord then gave Jeremiah a vision 248 00:16:17,200 --> 00:16:20,600 Speaker 3: a pot filled with water over a fire. The pot 249 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:23,040 Speaker 3: was pointing north, and the fire brought the water to 250 00:16:23,080 --> 00:16:27,120 Speaker 3: a boil. God then gave Jeremiah understanding of what it meant. 251 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:31,040 Speaker 3: God's judgment was coming from the north to punish Judah 252 00:16:31,080 --> 00:16:35,680 Speaker 3: for its past sins. This would only happen with God's permission. 253 00:16:36,160 --> 00:16:41,080 Speaker 3: A reminder of the Lord's total sovereignty and supremacy. God 254 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:44,040 Speaker 3: would use a foreign enemy for his purposes to correct 255 00:16:44,080 --> 00:16:47,040 Speaker 3: and cleanse his own people. And though the enemy would 256 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:51,440 Speaker 3: invade burn and break Judah. They would not destroy the people. 257 00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:55,400 Speaker 3: Jeremiah was beginning to understand, but he still needed more. 258 00:16:56,040 --> 00:16:58,280 Speaker 3: The Lord showed him many things that were going to happen, 259 00:16:58,320 --> 00:17:02,480 Speaker 3: and yet he struggled to grabp masp God's plan. We 260 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:04,520 Speaker 3: then heard how God sent him to the house of 261 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:08,159 Speaker 3: a potter it was time for an object lesson. He 262 00:17:08,280 --> 00:17:10,960 Speaker 3: watched as the potter worked the wheels, spinning the clay 263 00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:14,359 Speaker 3: and shaping it into a pot. But the clay lost 264 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:18,000 Speaker 3: its shape and all seemed lost. But rather than toss 265 00:17:18,040 --> 00:17:20,720 Speaker 3: out the clay, the potter began to work it again. 266 00:17:21,840 --> 00:17:25,520 Speaker 3: God used this to explain how he can use brokenness 267 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:29,399 Speaker 3: in our own lives to shape his people. Jeremiah was 268 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:33,000 Speaker 3: filled with confidence and went about speaking God's words and 269 00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 3: warnings to all who would listen. Unfortunately, not many did. 270 00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:41,320 Speaker 3: They turned away from God and his word, and just 271 00:17:41,440 --> 00:17:46,280 Speaker 3: like the prophets who had come before him, Jeremiah faced opposition, hatred, 272 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:50,240 Speaker 3: and even physical harm. We heard the story of Pastor, 273 00:17:50,359 --> 00:17:53,520 Speaker 3: the chief of priest, who was so angry he beat 274 00:17:53,640 --> 00:17:56,600 Speaker 3: Jeremiah and placed him in stocks to be ridiculed by 275 00:17:56,680 --> 00:18:00,000 Speaker 3: those who passed by. But just as God had promised, 276 00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:04,640 Speaker 3: In the end, those like Pastor did not prevail against Jeremiah, 277 00:18:04,920 --> 00:18:09,359 Speaker 3: and he continued working for God's purposes. Speaking God's truth 278 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:13,199 Speaker 3: is not always easy, but we should surely always speak 279 00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 3: God's words, whether in ancient Judah or in our culture today. 280 00:18:18,600 --> 00:18:22,919 Speaker 3: When we speak God's truth, it can be costly, it 281 00:18:22,960 --> 00:18:27,919 Speaker 3: can be tiring, it can be frightening. But as Jeremiah testified, 282 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:31,000 Speaker 3: he had no choice but to cry out with God's word. 283 00:18:31,359 --> 00:18:34,000 Speaker 3: Holding it in was not an option. And even when 284 00:18:34,080 --> 00:18:36,800 Speaker 3: we speak to people who do not listen, it is 285 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:40,080 Speaker 3: our calling as Christians to be witnesses of the good news, 286 00:18:40,119 --> 00:18:43,560 Speaker 3: the Gospel of Christ, and to reach as many people 287 00:18:43,640 --> 00:18:46,720 Speaker 3: as we can with God's truth. This was what God 288 00:18:46,840 --> 00:18:50,480 Speaker 3: was doing through Jeremiah and what God wants to do 289 00:18:50,920 --> 00:18:55,159 Speaker 3: through you. Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word. 290 00:18:56,200 --> 00:18:58,440 Speaker 3: We pray that you would give us strength and courage 291 00:18:58,440 --> 00:19:01,679 Speaker 3: to always stand for you and truth, even when people 292 00:19:01,720 --> 00:19:05,920 Speaker 3: don't listen or are even hostile. Give us the resolve 293 00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:10,000 Speaker 3: and the resilience, the courage and the bravery to speak 294 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:15,000 Speaker 3: your words with clarity and conviction. In Jesus' name, Amen, 295 00:19:16,200 --> 00:19:19,240 Speaker 3: thank you for listening to today's Bible in a year podcast. 296 00:19:19,640 --> 00:19:23,120 Speaker 3: I'm Pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. You can download 297 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:25,879 Speaker 3: the Prey dot com app and make Bible study and 298 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:30,240 Speaker 3: prayer the priority of your life. If you enjoyed this podcast, 299 00:19:30,320 --> 00:19:33,560 Speaker 3: please share it with someone you love because the Word 300 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:36,479 Speaker 3: of God will make a tremendous difference in people's lives. 301 00:19:37,920 --> 00:19:39,600 Speaker 3: And if you want to know more as to how 302 00:19:39,640 --> 00:19:42,680 Speaker 3: you can grow in your Christian life and faith, how 303 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:46,119 Speaker 3: you can develop as a follower of Jesus into a strong, 304 00:19:46,240 --> 00:19:50,480 Speaker 3: dynamic witness, then be sure and visit Jack Graham dot org. 305 00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:54,560 Speaker 3: We have multiple resources there available for you. Again, that's 306 00:19:54,720 --> 00:19:58,720 Speaker 3: Jack Graham dot org. God bless you and good day.