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Daily Devotions

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 
Day 
Day 5

"I cannot speak, for I am a youth"

Text: Jeremiah 1:6

A SPECIAL FEATURE

One of the striking features of the prophet Jeremiah was his very open and frank relationship with the Lord. This is easily noticeable in this encounter with the Lord.

“Then said I:
‘Ah, Lord GOD!
Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.'”
Jeremiah 1:6

1. “Then said I: ‘Ah, Lord GOD!'”

a) There was due reverence of God.
b) Jeremiah addressed God humbly.
i) He was the Lord.

ii) He was also God.

iii) It is proper to be humble and reverent.

2. “Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”

a) “Behold”
i) There was a candidness in Jeremiah’s word to God.
ii) He asked the Lord to consider what He had said about ordaining him as a prophet (Jeremiah 1:5).
b) “I cannot speak”
i) Jeremiah was probably very conscious of what it takes to be a prophet.
ii) One of the skills is that of “speaking ability”.
iii) Perhaps, he felt that he lacked eloquence.
iv) We are reminded that Moses made a similar statement (Exodus 4:10).
c) “For I am a youth”
i) This seems to be a valid excuse.
ii) Who would listen to a youth?
iii) What wisdom does a youth have?
iv) How could a youth be sent as a prophet of God?

3. What Jeremiah was saying

a) He was not defying God.
b) He was not questioning the Lord.
c) He was expressing how he felt expressly as God spoke to him.

4. A special relationship with God established

a) Openness to God.
b) Candidness of response (frankness).
c) Willingness to be taught.
d) Reverence was carefully maintained.
e) This was a very healthy faith-relationship with the Lord.