Stephen emphasizes that Jeremiah was called by God at a young age to be a prophet, tasked with both warning and guiding God's people. God’s call involved a divine touch upon Jeremiah’s lips, symbolizing that His words would be in Jeremiah’s mouth, making him a spokesperson for divine truth. Jeremiah’s mission was both negative—uprooting, destroying, overthrowing—and positive—building and planting—highlighting God's thorough work of purification before renewal. Stephen stresses that true ministry requires humility, childlike dependence on God, and being cleansed by His Spirit, as gifts alone do not constitute effective service. Jeremiah’s visions, including the almond rod symbolizing resurrection and authority rooted in life, confirm that God's work is powered by resurrection life, not human strength. The seething pot vision foretells judgment from the north, specifically Babylon, due to Israel’s rebellion and idolatry. Despite opposition and rejection, God assured Jeremiah of His presence, likening him to a strong city and iron pillar, emphasizing that faithful service often faces opposition but is protected by God's power. Stephen concludes that today, like Jeremiah, believers are called to be faithful witnesses, standing against worldly corruption, trusting in God's thorough and life-giving work.
Jeremiah’s divine calling and youthfulness
Significance of God’s touch and His words in Jeremiah’s mouth
Prophet’s role: negative (uprooting, destroying) and positive (building, planting)
Humility and childlike dependence as prerequisites for service
Visions: almond rod (resurrection authority) and seething pot (judgment from the north)
Ministry rooted in resurrection life, not human strength
God’s thorough work: destruction first, then building
Jeremiah’s opposition and divine assurance of protection
Application for believers today: faithfulness amidst opposition, trusting in God's work
9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. 12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it. 13 And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north. 14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. 15 For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah. 16 And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands. 17 Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. 18 For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. 19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.