By Will Kynes, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, Samford University
CREATED FOR A PURPOSE
Jeremiah 1:4–10
Though we may be tempted to associate both our own value and that of others in society by worldly accomplishments, the Bible declares for humanity both a deeper and higher calling that all share and yet all are called to live out in different ways.
As the Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”
God has a purpose for every life. (4–5)
The creation account shared in Genesis 1 climaxes with God’s creation of humanity, male and female, in the “image of God” (Gen. 1:27).
Like the statues of themselves that ancient Near Eastern kings would erect throughout their domain to declare their sovereign power over it, as bearers of God’s image, humans are commanded by God to “be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen. 1:28).
Here is the purpose God has for every human — to proclaim His glory by bearing His image throughout creation.
God, therefore, values every person, as all are created in His image.
Some, such as the prophet Jeremiah, however, are “set apart” for special purposes in the service of that greater purpose that all share to spread God’s glory across the earth.
Even before Jeremiah is born (Ps. 139:13–14; Luke 1:41), he is called to contribute to that common human purpose by being a prophet, not only to Israel, but to “the nations.”
How can you contribute to proclaiming and demonstrating the world-encompassing glory of God in whatever specific calling you may have received?
God is with us to carry out His purpose. (6–8)
Like Moses (Ex. 3:11; 4:10) and many other prophets who receive a direct calling from God, Jeremiah objects that he is not up to the task.
Speaking for God is an intimidating undertaking. But the Lord will not allow Jeremiah to use his youth as an excuse (1 Tim. 4:12).
His deficiencies, whatever they may be, will not hinder his pursuit of his God-glorifying life purpose because the Lord will be with him.
God equips us with what we need to carry out His purpose. (9–10)
But the Lord provides more than His presence. He also equips Jeremiah to execute his calling by giving Jeremiah the words to say.
Like the other prophets, he will declare, “Thus says the Lord,” and by reporting those divine declarations, Jeremiah will determine the fate of nations (v. 10).
Though the Lord equips Jeremiah specially for his distinct purpose, this passage suggests that God will provide all believers for the variety of purposes they may receive.
A similar principle is behind Jesus’ promise to His disciples that the Holy Spirit will teach them what to say when they are accused before synagogues, rulers and authorities (Luke 12:11–12).
The incorporation of diverse callings into the singular purpose of glorifying God is evident in Paul’s teaching of the value of all the parts in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12), in which he declares, “There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work” (1 Cor. 12:6).
Or as Paul puts it elsewhere, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10).
Share with others: