God Calls Jeremiah
"Do not say, 'I am only a child'"
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- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Story
What happened?
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The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
God told the young Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you," and appointed him a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah protested that he was only a child and didn't know how to speak. God said, "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you," touched his mouth, and said, "I have put My words in your mouth."
Where it is in the Bible: Jeremiah 1:4-10
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Jeremiah: A young man from a family of priests in the village of Anathoth (Jeremiah 1:1).
- The LORD: God. LORD in capital letters stands for God's personal name. Jewish readers traditionally don't say it aloud, out of respect.
Setting
- Anathoth, a village near Jerusalem.
When
- About 627 BC, in the thirteenth year of King Josiah (Jeremiah 1:2).
Before the Story
Judah was in danger. The people kept turning to other gods. Powerful empires were rising.
God had called prophets before. He called Samuel as a boy (1 Samuel 3:10). He called Isaiah with a burning coal (Isaiah 6:8).
Here's what you know: Jeremiah will warn Judah for forty years. It will be a hard job.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Before you were born | 1:4-5 | God says he knew Jeremiah before he was born |
| 2. "I am only a child" | 1:6-8 | Jeremiah objects, and God answers |
| 3. Words in your mouth | 1:9-10 | God touches Jeremiah's mouth |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 3Before You Were Born
The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations" (1:5).
Set apart means chosen for a special purpose.
God knew Jeremiah before he was a baby. He had a plan for him all along.
Scene 2 of 3"I Am Only a Child"
Jeremiah was scared. "Ah, Lord GOD," he said. "I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!" (1:6).
He was young, maybe a teenager.
"Do not say, 'I am only a child,'" God said (1:7). Jeremiah must go wherever God sends him and say whatever God tells him.
"Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you" (1:8).
Scene 3 of 3Words in Your Mouth
Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched Jeremiah's mouth. "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth" (1:9).
Jeremiah didn't have to come up with the words himself. God gave them.
God appointed him over nations and kingdoms, "to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant" (1:10).
His message would bring hard news. But it would end with building and planting.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you" (1:5) | God knew Jeremiah before he was born. |
| "I set you apart" (1:5) | God chose him for a purpose. |
| "I am only a child!" (1:6) | Jeremiah felt too young and unready. |
| "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you" (1:8) | God's presence was the answer to his fear. |
| "I have put My words in your mouth" (1:9) | God gives what he asks for. |
| "To build and plant" (1:10) | After hard times, God would bring new life. |
Back Then
Jeremiah had a hard life. People mocked him, beat him, and threw him into a muddy pit (20:2, 38:6).
He was called "the weeping prophet." He cried over his people (9:1).
His message came true. Babylon destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. But Jeremiah also promised a new covenant and a return home (31:31).
Literal Reader Alert
Does God know me before I was born? Jeremiah's words are about his own call. Psalm 139 says something similar about everyone: God saw us before we were born (Psalm 139:16).
Am I too young to serve God? God told Jeremiah, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.'" Young people can serve God in many ways.
Did God make Jeremiah's life easy? No. God promised to be with him, not that it would be easy.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah | Amazed | God knew him before birth (1:5) |
| Jeremiah | Afraid | He felt too young (1:6) |
| Jeremiah | Equipped | God put words in his mouth (1:9) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What makes you feel unready? Tap one.
I'm too young
God told Jeremiah not to say that. He can use you now.
I don't know what to say
God gave Jeremiah the words.
I'm afraid
"I am with you to deliver you."
Does God know me?
He knew you before you were born.
You Might Have Heard
"You need to be older, smarter, or better before God can use you."
What's true: God gives people time to grow and learn.
What the story is mainly about: Jeremiah felt too young and unprepared. God didn't argue about his age. He promised to be with him and to give him the words.
Where Jesus is: Jesus promised his followers, "Do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say" (Matthew 10:19).
Good News
Jeremiah said, "I can't." God said, "I am with you."
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you" (1:5).
God knows you completely. He doesn't wait for you to be ready. He makes you ready, and he goes with you.
God knew Jeremiah before he was born. When Jeremiah said, "I am only a child," God said, "Do not be afraid, I am with you," and put his words in his mouth.
Big Idea
God knew Jeremiah before he was born and called him to be a prophet. "I am only a child," Jeremiah said. God answered, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you."
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught that every Christian has a calling from God. God gives each person work to do in the world, and the gifts to do it.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year C, it reads Jeremiah 1:4-10 on the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, next to Jesus being rejected at Nazareth.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Year CFirst reading, Jeremiah 1:4–10
For a newsletter or sermon notes
God Calls Jeremiah, explained in plain words. God tells young Jeremiah he knew him before he was born. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/god-calls-jeremiah/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church