“Ministry On Display” (Part One)

Charles Dickens wrote in his well-known novel A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Jeremiah could have borrowed those words as a summary of his 40-year ministry as a prophet in Judah.

When he sets the historical boundaries, he begins with the good King Josiah and finishes with the horrible king Zedekiah. He ministered in a time of moral decline in his nation, and a review of the last 40 years in our nation reveals that we have witnessed a similar moral decline. So what can we learn from this man who might be considered the greatest of the prophets that could give us a model for ministry in our generation?

Let’s take a look at Jeremiah 1:1-5…

His home life: He was raised in a small village just outside of Jerusalem. Anathoth was a city for priests. In fact, his father was a priest. So Jeremiah was immersed in an atmosphere of godliness. My father was a banker and wanted me to be an agricultural scientist, but God had a different plan. What was your home like?

His influencers: In addition to his father, God placed significant people in Jeremiah’s life to help shape him for a challenging ministry, which began in the 13th year of Judah’s godly king Josiah. When his nation was backslidden, Josiah launched a spiritual reformation. With Josiah governing and Jeremiah preaching, they made a powerful team. Jeremiah also had his Aunt Huldah, who was a prophetess, and Shaphan and Baruch, who were godly boyhood friends. Who influenced you spiritually as you were on life’s journey? For me, it was a godly grandmother who lived next door, prayed for me, and gave me my first Bible.

His preparation: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet in the nations” (Jer. 1:5). Jeremiah was young when he heard these words, and they must have been astonishing to his ears. Let’s look more closely at these powerful words:

• I knew you—not before you were born, but before you were conceived.

• I formed you in the womb. This reminds us of Psalm 139:13-16, where the psalmist adds (to the thoughts in Jeremiah) that God is not only the designer of our physical appearance, but also decided on a plan for our lives.

• I sanctified you. Jeremiah, you were set apart for ministry before you were born.

• I ordained you. You were to be my prophet and spokesman in one of the most critical times in the nation’s history. When our season of ministry is especially hard, how encouraging to read these words! On Wednesday, we learn more from the life of Jeremiah.

We’ll pick up here tomorrow.