1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:04,080 Speaker 1: Let us pray. And the vessel that he made of 2 00:00:04,120 --> 00:00:07,920 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 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:17,800 Speaker 1: to the potter to make it. Jeremiah eighteen four. As 5 00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:22,200 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 --> 00:00:35,720 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 00:00:45,920 --> 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 --> 00:01:09,840 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 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:19,600 Speaker 1: bear any weight, because before they spoke them, you already 18 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:24,959 Speaker 1: spoke blessing of purpose over me. Whether I had people 19 00:01:24,959 --> 00:01:28,800 Speaker 1: who believed in me or people who doubted me, it 20 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:33,960 Speaker 1: doesn't take away from my calling and my destiny. Therefore, 21 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:39,000 Speaker 1: like Jeremiah, I will stand tall and speak what you 22 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:43,200 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 --> 00:01:56,559 Speaker 1: me on his wheel of destiny and in his hands 26 00:01:57,760 --> 00:02:02,600 Speaker 1: I am molded and created for greatness. 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 --> 00:02:17,720 Speaker 1: thank you for making prayer a priority in your day. 29 00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:21,960 Speaker 1: To learn more about the Bible, stay tuned for today's story, 30 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 1: brought to you by Bible in a Year dot com. 31 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:29,519 Speaker 2: Many choices in life can be scary, but your healthcare 32 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 2: shouldn't be one of them. Did you know that traditional 33 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:35,320 Speaker 2: insurance isn't your only option to take care of your 34 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:40,600 Speaker 2: medical costs. Christian Healthcare Ministries is created for you. Believers 35 00:02:40,680 --> 00:02:44,920 Speaker 2: who expect more from their healthcare. Embrace a faith based 36 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:49,960 Speaker 2: alternative that puts you in control, plus experience flexibility to 37 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:53,200 Speaker 2: pick your provider of choice with programs as low as 38 00:02:53,280 --> 00:03:00,000 Speaker 2: ninety two dollars per month. Enroll today at Cchministries dot org. 39 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:12,000 Speaker 2: Slash pray the broken pot. 40 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:17,200 Speaker 3: In our last story, Josiah continued his reform over the 41 00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:20,600 Speaker 3: nation of Judah. He cut down all the remnants of 42 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:25,040 Speaker 3: old idols and reinstated the Passover to remember the freedom 43 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:29,280 Speaker 3: in God. However, the people continued to long after their 44 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:34,560 Speaker 3: corrupt ways. The Lord gave Josiah a gentle warning judgment 45 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 3: was coming upon Judah for all its past sins. There 46 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:41,240 Speaker 3: would be a reckoning for all the innocent souls that 47 00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:45,280 Speaker 3: were led astray by past kings. Now we peer into 48 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 3: the life and calling of Jeremiah, who was a prophet 49 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:53,080 Speaker 3: during the reign of Josiah. We learn of Jeremiah's first 50 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:56,360 Speaker 3: call from God and the images that were shown to him. 51 00:03:57,080 --> 00:04:04,480 Speaker 3: Inspired by the Book of Jeremiah. 52 00:04:01,840 --> 00:04:04,480 Speaker 4: Hello and welcome once again to the Bible in the 53 00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:08,160 Speaker 4: Year podcast. This is Jack Graham, And in our last 54 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:11,640 Speaker 4: reading we heard how Josiah brought the people back to God, 55 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:14,200 Speaker 4: reading the Book of the Law the Covenant to them 56 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:18,120 Speaker 4: and calling them to renew their faith in God, the 57 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:20,920 Speaker 4: covenant that God had made with Israel in the days 58 00:04:21,040 --> 00:04:24,040 Speaker 4: of Moses. He then went through the land and destroyed 59 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:27,200 Speaker 4: altars and shrines to honor God and protect people from 60 00:04:27,400 --> 00:04:32,719 Speaker 4: falling back into idolatry and spiritual bondage. Josiah had already 61 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:35,239 Speaker 4: received word from God that his people would be judged 62 00:04:35,240 --> 00:04:39,039 Speaker 4: for their unfaithfulness. And today we'll see the beginning of 63 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:41,760 Speaker 4: this time with the initial call of the prophet who 64 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:44,680 Speaker 4: would have great significance in the story of God's people. 65 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:49,719 Speaker 4: That prophet is Jeremiah. So let's listen to God's word today. 66 00:04:51,279 --> 00:04:55,039 Speaker 3: In the days of King Josiah the Righteous, Jeremiah was 67 00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:58,640 Speaker 3: walking in the temple courtyards. It was dusk and the 68 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:03,160 Speaker 3: sky was a shimmering ama. Jeremiah watched the sun slide 69 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:07,320 Speaker 3: behind the horizon. The west wind whistled gently, and the 70 00:05:07,360 --> 00:05:12,159 Speaker 3: trees beside the temple swayed to the evening lullaby. Jeremiah 71 00:05:12,240 --> 00:05:15,400 Speaker 3: sat down as the daylight left the land. He was 72 00:05:15,440 --> 00:05:18,200 Speaker 3: a very young man. Often he sought the Lord in 73 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:22,080 Speaker 3: the coolness of nightfall. As Jeremiah closed his eyes, he 74 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 3: could hear a quiet voice in the wind. Along with 75 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:29,080 Speaker 3: it a gentle warmth and presents. The Lord spoke to 76 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:33,960 Speaker 3: Jeremiah as he sat beside the temple. Before I formed 77 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:38,400 Speaker 3: you in your mother's womb, I knew you, Jeremiah. His 78 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:42,479 Speaker 3: voice was firm and strong, but refreshing to the soul. 79 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:48,680 Speaker 3: Jeremiah was equally mesmerized and afraid Before you were born. 80 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:52,120 Speaker 3: I set you apart for the nations. I have chosen 81 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:55,240 Speaker 3: you as a prophet to them. You shall be the 82 00:05:55,279 --> 00:06:00,640 Speaker 3: declarer of my wisdom and judgment. The Lord's both passed 83 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:05,440 Speaker 3: Jeremiah's mind and straight to his heart. Jeremiah quivered at 84 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:08,760 Speaker 3: the Lord's call. He knew that the position of prophet 85 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:15,479 Speaker 3: was a great responsibility. With it came trials, judgment, and persecution. 86 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:21,240 Speaker 3: My God, Jeremiah stuttered, I do not know how to 87 00:06:21,279 --> 00:06:24,440 Speaker 3: speak your truth. I am only a boy. How could 88 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:27,840 Speaker 3: I do such things? Do not say to me, I 89 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:31,719 Speaker 3: am too young, The Lord replied, Wherever I call you, 90 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 3: you will go. What I tell you you speak, fear 91 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:38,160 Speaker 3: is for those who do not have my presence. A 92 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 3: bright light then burst through his mind's eye, and Jeremiah 93 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:44,960 Speaker 3: was swept into the presence of God. He felt a 94 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:48,599 Speaker 3: hand stretch out to him and touch his mouth. Behold, 95 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:51,680 Speaker 3: I have placed my words in your mouth. You are 96 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:54,440 Speaker 3: to be set apart to watch over all the nations 97 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:58,000 Speaker 3: and kingdoms. You shall witness the building and breaking of 98 00:06:58,080 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 3: all things before you. Jeremiah turned his mind's eyes forward. 99 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:07,480 Speaker 3: He saw a budding almond branch slowly growing before him, 100 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:11,800 Speaker 3: and budding, beautiful little flowers. He heard the Lord behind him, 101 00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:17,800 Speaker 3: asking Jeremiah, what do you see. I see an almond branch. 102 00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:23,559 Speaker 3: Jeremiah whispered, yes, you see. Well, it, like everything else, 103 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:28,120 Speaker 3: grows according to my word. The Lord replied, Now, what 104 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:32,920 Speaker 3: do you see. Jeremiah felt the whistling wind pick up 105 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:35,880 Speaker 3: as he was shown the image of a pot facing north. 106 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:39,160 Speaker 3: The pot was over a fire and the water was 107 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 3: simmering into a boil. Jeremiah watched as the boiling water 108 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 3: grew heavier, eventually spilling over on to the fire below. 109 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 3: I see a boiling pot, Jeremiah answered, God, it is 110 00:07:51,920 --> 00:07:56,320 Speaker 3: facing away from the north. The Lord continued. This time 111 00:07:56,400 --> 00:08:00,280 Speaker 3: his tone was intense and filled with warning. Out of 112 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:03,920 Speaker 3: the north, disaster is boiling. Soon the kingdoms of the 113 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 3: North will boil over on to the land of Judah. 114 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:09,480 Speaker 3: They shall come, and it will be with my permission, 115 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:12,240 Speaker 3: for I am allowing them to come into the land 116 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:16,720 Speaker 3: as judgment for Judah's past sins. They will burn and break, 117 00:08:17,240 --> 00:08:20,280 Speaker 3: but they shall not destroy, for I am still a 118 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:25,720 Speaker 3: merciful God. Jeremiah still struggled to completely understand the will 119 00:08:25,760 --> 00:08:28,320 Speaker 3: of God. Although he was meant to be a messenger 120 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 3: of the Lord. That did not mean he was particularly 121 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:34,679 Speaker 3: equipped to give it. The Lord was gracious to Jeremiah 122 00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:37,280 Speaker 3: and showed him several images of his plan to help 123 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:41,760 Speaker 3: explain arise and go down to the potter's house in Jerusalem. 124 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 3: There I will show you my will. So Jeremiah packed 125 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 3: his things and made his way to the potter's house. 126 00:08:49,240 --> 00:08:51,600 Speaker 3: It was dawned by the time Jeremiah made it, and 127 00:08:51,640 --> 00:08:55,240 Speaker 3: the potter was already hard at work. The rooms smelled 128 00:08:55,320 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 3: like clay in camp fire. Jeremiah watched as the potter 129 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 3: worked at his wheel. The clay spun fast on the wheel, 130 00:09:02,840 --> 00:09:07,120 Speaker 3: tamed by the potter's guiding hands. Jeremiah watched as the 131 00:09:07,160 --> 00:09:10,000 Speaker 3: potter gracefully worked his hands up and down the clay, 132 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:14,080 Speaker 3: molding it into a tall and thin shape. The vessel 133 00:09:14,120 --> 00:09:17,000 Speaker 3: continued to spin on the wheel, However, it began to 134 00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 3: wobble and lose its thin frame. The top began to sag, 135 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:24,520 Speaker 3: and its edges became sloppy. Jeremiah became worried that the 136 00:09:24,559 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 3: pot was ruined and expected the potter to throw away 137 00:09:27,559 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 3: the clay and start over. Instead, the potter pressed his 138 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:33,960 Speaker 3: fist down on the top of the clay. It continued 139 00:09:33,960 --> 00:09:36,760 Speaker 3: to spin and form into a round and wide bowl. 140 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:40,559 Speaker 3: Jeremiah's eyes widened as he saw the potter form a 141 00:09:40,640 --> 00:09:44,520 Speaker 3: pot far more beautiful than the one before. The potter 142 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:48,440 Speaker 3: meticulously designed the handles and spun the pot into a 143 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:52,560 Speaker 3: marvelous work of art. Jeremiah did not realize it, but 144 00:09:52,640 --> 00:09:56,240 Speaker 3: he was crying watching the potter work. The Lord then 145 00:09:56,320 --> 00:09:59,840 Speaker 3: spoke to Jeremiah's heart. Can I not do the same 146 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:04,040 Speaker 3: thing that the potter has done? God said softly. The 147 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:08,360 Speaker 3: clay in the potter's hand was unruly and unbalanced. It 148 00:10:08,440 --> 00:10:11,040 Speaker 3: had to be broken down to make something more marvelous. 149 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:14,839 Speaker 3: Jeremiah watched the potter as he listened to the Lord. 150 00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:19,319 Speaker 3: I am shaping disaster so that something more splendid may 151 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 3: be made. Jeremiah was filled with purpose. After this, he 152 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:26,320 Speaker 3: left the potter's house and began to call out the 153 00:10:26,400 --> 00:10:30,040 Speaker 3: declarations of God and the temple courtyards in the city streets. 154 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:35,960 Speaker 3: Amen your ways, Jeremiah declared, turn from your evil ways 155 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:40,440 Speaker 3: and embrace your Savior. Much of Jeremiah's words fell on 156 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:44,880 Speaker 3: deaf ears. People passed and paid no attention. In fact, 157 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 3: many of them began to grumble at his words. Yet 158 00:10:48,120 --> 00:10:52,440 Speaker 3: Jeremiah continued to speak. We have turned our backs on God, 159 00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:55,600 Speaker 3: he says to us, my people have forgotten me, like 160 00:10:55,640 --> 00:11:00,319 Speaker 3: a bride running away from his groom. As Jeremiah the 161 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:03,640 Speaker 3: words given to him by God, his heart began to break. 162 00:11:04,280 --> 00:11:07,600 Speaker 3: He could feel the hurt in the Lord's words. He 163 00:11:07,679 --> 00:11:10,800 Speaker 3: loved his people, and year after years since freeing them 164 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:13,880 Speaker 3: from slavery, they had found new ways to turn away 165 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:17,720 Speaker 3: from him. Sorrow filled his heart, so he continued to 166 00:11:17,800 --> 00:11:22,600 Speaker 3: proclaim the warnings of God unashamed. This caused some elders 167 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:26,800 Speaker 3: to conspire against Jeremiah and send him threats. He did 168 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 3: not cease preaching. He leaned on God for courage and 169 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:34,640 Speaker 3: pressed on. It was midday and Jeremiah was outside the 170 00:11:34,679 --> 00:11:38,080 Speaker 3: temple gates proclaiming the word of the Lord. He spoke 171 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:41,280 Speaker 3: with the love and intensity of God, warning people to 172 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:45,280 Speaker 3: repent and turn back to their first love. Pashur, the 173 00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:50,200 Speaker 3: chief officer and priest, watched Jeremiah from afar. He could 174 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:52,720 Speaker 3: not stand the man speaking as though he was the 175 00:11:52,760 --> 00:11:56,960 Speaker 3: only mouthpiece of God. Jealousy dug its roots down deep 176 00:11:57,000 --> 00:12:01,200 Speaker 3: into his heart. Eventually, hatred boiled over in him. He 177 00:12:01,280 --> 00:12:03,920 Speaker 3: picked up a club that was often used to protect 178 00:12:03,920 --> 00:12:07,960 Speaker 3: the priests in case of a robbery, and stormed towards Jeremiah. 179 00:12:08,800 --> 00:12:11,800 Speaker 3: The prophet could barely see the shadow of Pasure before 180 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:14,000 Speaker 3: the club struck him over the side of his face. 181 00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:17,320 Speaker 3: Jeremiah fell onto the floor and smacked his head on 182 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:22,520 Speaker 3: the cobblestone floor. Disoriented, Jeremiah stumbled to his knees, only 183 00:12:22,559 --> 00:12:26,160 Speaker 3: to be kicked in the jar. Blood dripped from his mouth. 184 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 3: He finally glanced up to see Pashur looming over him. 185 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:33,320 Speaker 3: Before Jeremiah could say a word, he received a swift 186 00:12:33,440 --> 00:12:36,440 Speaker 3: kick in the ribs. He could feel them crack on impact. 187 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:40,640 Speaker 3: Writhing in pain, Jeremiah managed to open his eyes only 188 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:45,000 Speaker 3: to see the club descending down once again, knocking him unconscious. 189 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:49,680 Speaker 3: Jeremiah woke up the next day. The sun was beating 190 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:52,000 Speaker 3: down on the back of his neck. He tried to 191 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:55,720 Speaker 3: move his hands to rub it, but could not. Regaining consciousness, 192 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:58,640 Speaker 3: Jeremiah discovered that his head and hands were bound in 193 00:12:58,679 --> 00:13:02,480 Speaker 3: the stalks outside the temper gates. People passed by him, 194 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:07,040 Speaker 3: giving him grim looks of disapproval or hatred. Jeremiah hung 195 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:11,640 Speaker 3: there all day, receiving the spitting and ridicule of passerbyers. 196 00:13:12,200 --> 00:13:15,880 Speaker 3: He did not stop praying the entire time. Although many 197 00:13:15,920 --> 00:13:18,920 Speaker 3: of his prayers were asking God to release him, he 198 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:22,920 Speaker 3: maintained his mission to preach repentance. The day was drawing 199 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:25,520 Speaker 3: to a close and Jeremiah could hear the footsteps of 200 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:29,480 Speaker 3: Passcheur behind him. Without a word, Pascheur released him from 201 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:33,560 Speaker 3: the stocks and began to walk away. Jeremiah cleared his throat. 202 00:13:34,040 --> 00:13:37,400 Speaker 3: His head was throbbing due to dehydration and the beating 203 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:40,120 Speaker 3: from the day before. He stood to his feet and 204 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:43,760 Speaker 3: stuttered out a few words. The Lord no longer calls 205 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:48,880 Speaker 3: you Pascheur, Jeremiah said. The officer turned his head in curiosity. 206 00:13:49,640 --> 00:13:53,120 Speaker 3: Jeremiah looked him deeply in the eyes. You are no 207 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:59,640 Speaker 3: longer called Pascheur, but terror on every side. Passur reached 208 00:13:59,679 --> 00:14:04,079 Speaker 3: for his club to give Jeremiah another beading, but Jeremiah continued, 209 00:14:04,360 --> 00:14:07,880 Speaker 3: this time with the full intensity of God behind his words. 210 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:11,440 Speaker 3: Thus says the Lord, I will make you a terror 211 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:15,520 Speaker 3: to yourself and to all who love you. Passur froze, 212 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:19,200 Speaker 3: listening to Jeremiah intently. They shall all fall by the 213 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 3: sword of Babylon, all of Judah will be given into 214 00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:25,840 Speaker 3: the hand of the Great Northern Kingdom. Your friends shall 215 00:14:25,880 --> 00:14:28,440 Speaker 3: be carried away as captives, and all the wealth of 216 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 3: the city shall be taken, and you Passhor will be 217 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:34,960 Speaker 3: carried away as a captive. You shall die as a captive. 218 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:39,760 Speaker 3: Like many Pashur fled from the prophet, and Jeremiah fell 219 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:42,760 Speaker 3: to his knees and wept. He lamented that he was 220 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:46,680 Speaker 3: given the role of warning Judah. He wanted to stop. 221 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:49,960 Speaker 3: He wanted to cease preaching the word of the Lord. However, 222 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:52,280 Speaker 3: as Jeremiah prayed to the Lord, he knew that he 223 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:55,840 Speaker 3: must continue. If I did not preach your truth, there 224 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:58,640 Speaker 3: would be a fire in my bones to speak. I 225 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:01,920 Speaker 3: cannot help but proclaim your name. I would be weary 226 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:05,480 Speaker 3: if I held it in. Jeremiah felt the heart of God. 227 00:15:05,880 --> 00:15:08,280 Speaker 3: He would preach to people who would not listen. He 228 00:15:08,280 --> 00:15:11,760 Speaker 3: would love people that would hate him in return. This 229 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:14,920 Speaker 3: was the burden and calling of a shepherd. 230 00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 4: Today's reading begins with a calling. God's voice goes out 231 00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:26,880 Speaker 4: to a young man in the courtyard of God's temple, Jeremiah. 232 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:30,960 Speaker 4: That man wasn't expecting this, but God had planned things 233 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:34,080 Speaker 4: for him since before he was conceived, even in his 234 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:37,920 Speaker 4: mother's womb. If there was ever any doubt how God 235 00:15:38,040 --> 00:15:42,080 Speaker 4: views the unborn, the words he speaks to Jeremiah leaves 236 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:45,640 Speaker 4: us no doubt. There was a prophet in the womb 237 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:48,960 Speaker 4: of this woman, his mother. God knew him and had 238 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:52,680 Speaker 4: a purpose for him before his life begin, and that 239 00:15:52,760 --> 00:15:56,480 Speaker 4: life began when he was conceived. A calling from God 240 00:15:56,720 --> 00:15:59,840 Speaker 4: is a privilege, and it should not be taken lightly. 241 00:16:00,400 --> 00:16:04,360 Speaker 4: Jeremiah seemed to understand the depth and gravity of this call. 242 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:08,800 Speaker 4: This would be costly and often uncomfortable. People would even 243 00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:11,880 Speaker 4: hate him and want to take his life, and his 244 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:15,480 Speaker 4: first reaction is to object. I'm too young to speak 245 00:16:15,560 --> 00:16:18,720 Speaker 4: for you, was his reply. But God was not interested 246 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:23,840 Speaker 4: in Jeremiah's objection or excuses. Still, he encouraged the young man, 247 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:27,160 Speaker 4: saying in Jeremiah one p. Eight, do not be afraid 248 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:30,200 Speaker 4: of them, for I'm with you to deliver you, declares 249 00:16:30,280 --> 00:16:34,600 Speaker 4: the Lord. God was reminding Jeremiah what we also need 250 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:38,880 Speaker 4: to hear, that He who calls us is greater than 251 00:16:38,920 --> 00:16:42,200 Speaker 4: any obstacle that we face. That if God before us, 252 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:46,040 Speaker 4: who can be against us, we shall always listen to 253 00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:49,080 Speaker 4: the still small voice, to the word of God that 254 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:53,000 Speaker 4: calls us to his service. The Lord then gave Jeremiah 255 00:16:53,040 --> 00:16:56,680 Speaker 4: a vision a pot filled with water over a fire. 256 00:16:57,320 --> 00:16:59,680 Speaker 4: The pot was pointing north, and the fire brought the 257 00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:03,640 Speaker 4: water to a boil. God then gave Jeremiah understanding of 258 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:07,000 Speaker 4: what it meant. God's judgment was coming from the north 259 00:17:07,080 --> 00:17:11,479 Speaker 4: to punish Judah for its past sins. This would only 260 00:17:11,520 --> 00:17:15,399 Speaker 4: happen with God's permission, a reminder of the Lord's total 261 00:17:15,440 --> 00:17:19,880 Speaker 4: sovereignty and supremacy. God would use a foreign enemy for 262 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:23,199 Speaker 4: his purposes to correct and cleanse his own people. And 263 00:17:23,240 --> 00:17:27,080 Speaker 4: though the enemy would invade, burn and break Judah, they 264 00:17:27,119 --> 00:17:31,359 Speaker 4: would not destroy the people. Jeremiah was beginning to understand, 265 00:17:31,400 --> 00:17:34,240 Speaker 4: but he still needed more. The Lord showed him many 266 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:36,679 Speaker 4: things that were going to happen, and yet he struggled 267 00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:40,840 Speaker 4: to grasp God's plan. We then heard how God sent 268 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:43,680 Speaker 4: him to the house of a potter. It was time 269 00:17:43,760 --> 00:17:46,840 Speaker 4: for an object lesson. He watched as the potter worked 270 00:17:46,840 --> 00:17:50,360 Speaker 4: the wheel, spinning the clay and shaping it into a pot. 271 00:17:50,680 --> 00:17:53,320 Speaker 4: But the clay lost its shape and all seemed lost. 272 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:56,879 Speaker 4: But rather than toss out the clay, the potter began 273 00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:01,080 Speaker 4: to work it again. God used this to explain how 274 00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:04,119 Speaker 4: He can use brokenness in our own lives to shape 275 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:08,560 Speaker 4: his people. Jeremiah was filled with confidence and went about 276 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:13,920 Speaker 4: speaking God's words and warnings to all who would listen. Unfortunately, 277 00:18:13,920 --> 00:18:17,240 Speaker 4: not many did. They turned away from God and his word, 278 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:20,520 Speaker 4: and just like the prophets who had come before him, 279 00:18:20,840 --> 00:18:26,320 Speaker 4: Jeremiah faced opposition, hatred, and even physical harm. We heard 280 00:18:26,359 --> 00:18:29,399 Speaker 4: the story of Pascheor, the chief of priest, who was 281 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:32,640 Speaker 4: so angry he beat Jeremiah and placed him in stocks 282 00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:35,960 Speaker 4: to be ridiculed by those who passed by. But just 283 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 4: as God had promised in the end, those like Pashor 284 00:18:39,640 --> 00:18:43,679 Speaker 4: did not prevail against Jeremiah, and he continued working for 285 00:18:43,800 --> 00:18:48,480 Speaker 4: God's purposes. Speaking God's truth is not always easy, but 286 00:18:48,600 --> 00:18:52,879 Speaker 4: we should surely always speak God's words, whether in ancient 287 00:18:52,960 --> 00:18:57,159 Speaker 4: Judah or in our culture today. When we speak God's truth, 288 00:18:57,800 --> 00:19:02,160 Speaker 4: it can be costly, it can be tiring, it could 289 00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:06,080 Speaker 4: be frightening. But as Jeremiah testified, he had no choice 290 00:19:06,080 --> 00:19:09,160 Speaker 4: but to cry out with God's word. Holding it in 291 00:19:09,359 --> 00:19:11,879 Speaker 4: was not an option. And even when we speak to 292 00:19:11,920 --> 00:19:14,880 Speaker 4: people who do not listen, it is our calling as 293 00:19:14,960 --> 00:19:17,960 Speaker 4: Christians to be witnesses of the good news, the gospel 294 00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:21,119 Speaker 4: of Christ, and to reach as many people as we 295 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:24,480 Speaker 4: can with God's truth. This was what God was doing 296 00:19:24,720 --> 00:19:28,480 Speaker 4: through Jeremiah and what God wants to do through you. 297 00:19:29,880 --> 00:19:33,800 Speaker 4: Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word. We pray 298 00:19:33,880 --> 00:19:36,120 Speaker 4: that you would give us strength and courage to always 299 00:19:36,119 --> 00:19:39,120 Speaker 4: stand for you and your truth, even when people don't 300 00:19:39,160 --> 00:19:43,680 Speaker 4: listen or are even hostile. Give us the resolve and 301 00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:47,360 Speaker 4: the resilience, the courage and the bravery to speak your 302 00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:53,560 Speaker 4: words with clarity and conviction. In Jesus's name, Amen, thank 303 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:56,399 Speaker 4: you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. 304 00:19:56,800 --> 00:20:00,000 Speaker 4: I'm pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. You could doubt 305 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:03,040 Speaker 4: load theprey dot com app and make Bible study and 306 00:20:03,119 --> 00:20:07,399 Speaker 4: prayer the priority of your life. If you enjoyed this podcast, 307 00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:10,720 Speaker 4: please share it with someone you love because the word 308 00:20:10,760 --> 00:20:13,639 Speaker 4: of God will make a tremendous difference in people's lives. 309 00:20:15,080 --> 00:20:16,760 Speaker 4: And if you want to know more as to how 310 00:20:16,800 --> 00:20:19,840 Speaker 4: you can grow in your Christian life and faith, how 311 00:20:19,880 --> 00:20:23,280 Speaker 4: you can develop as a follower of Jesus into a strong, 312 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:27,640 Speaker 4: dynamic witness, then be sure and visit Jack Graham dot org. 313 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:31,720 Speaker 4: We have multiple resources there available for you again. That's 314 00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:35,880 Speaker 4: Jack Graham dot org. God bless you and good day.