Year of the Bible
Jeremiah 1
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Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, Chapter 1:
The Book of Jeremiah opens with a chapter-long introduction to the prophet for whom it is named. Jeremiah comes from a family of priests and his ministry begins during the time of peace and prosperity under King Josiah. It ends over forty years later when the nation is conquered and destroyed by Babylon under King Zedekiah. God has always had a plan for Jeremiah’s life, and his ministry will involve the over-turning of the status quo and the start of something new. Through two visions God reveals that He is watching how His Word is treated in the nation and that judgement for idolatry is coming from the north. While Jeremiah’s ministry will be challenging due to his age and the circumstances of the time, God promises to be with him.
The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, Chapter 1:
Introduction
1 The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, 2 to whom the word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. 3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, and until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the captivity of Jerusalem in the fifth month.
Jeremiah’s Call and Commission
4 Now the word of the Lord
came to me saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” 7 But the Lord said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;
for to all to whom I send you you shall go,
and whatever I command you you shall speak.
8 Be not afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
says the Lord.” 9 Then the Lord put forth his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me,
“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
10 See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to break down,
to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
11 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see a rod of almond.” 12 Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.”
13 The word of the Lord came to me a second time, saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a boiling pot, facing away from the north.” 14 Then the Lord said to me, “Out of the north evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. 15 For, behold, I am calling all the tribes of the kingdoms of the north, says the Lord; and they shall come and everyone shall set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its walls round about, and against all the cities of Judah. 16 And I will utter my judgments against them, for all their wickedness in forsaking me; they have burned incense to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands. 17 But you, gird up your loins; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. 18 And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests, and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you, for I am
with you, says the Lord, to deliver to you.
*Daily Lectio Divina Question:
Place yourself in the shoes of Jeremiah as he receives 'the call' from the Lord (revisit verses 4-10). What may the Lord be revealing of his purpose and mission in life for you?
Biblical Commentary provided by the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan, an adult faith formation apostolate. cbsmich.org/join
Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2006).
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Jeremías 1
1Palabras de Jeremías, hijo de Jilquías,
de los sacerdotes residentes en Anatot,
en tierra de Benjamín. 2La palabra del
Señor le fue dirigida en los días de Josías,
hijo de Amón, rey de Judá, el año trece de
su reinado. 3También, en los días de Yoyaquim,
hijo de Josías, rey de Judá, hasta el final
del año undécimo de Sedecías, hijo de
Josías, rey de Judá, hasta la deportación de
Jerusalén en el mes quinto.
4La palabra del Señor se me dirigió
diciendo:
5–Antes de plasmarte en el seno materno,
te conocí,
antes de que salieras de las entrañas,
te consagré,
te constituí en profeta de las naciones.
6Respondí:
–¡Ay, Señor Dios mío!
Si no sé hablar, que soy muy joven.
7El Señor me contestó:
–No digas que soy muy joven,
porque allá donde te envíe, irás,
y todo cuanto te ordene, lo dirás.
8No les tengas miedo,
que Yo estoy contigo para librarte
–oráculo del Señor–.
9El Señor extendió su mano, tocó mi
boca, y me dijo:
–Pongo mis palabras en tu boca.
10Mira, hoy te he constituido sobre
las naciones
y los reinos,
para arrancar y abatir,
para destruir y arruinar,
para edificar y plantar.
Visión de la vara de almendro
11La palabra del Señor se dirigió a mí
diciendo:
–¿Qué ves, Jeremías?
Respondí:
–Veo una vara de almendro.
12El Señor me contestó:
–Has visto bien, porque vigilo que
mi palabra se cumpla.
Visión de la olla hirviendo
13La palabra del Señor se dirigió a mí
de nuevo diciendo:
–¿Qué ves?
Respondí:
–Veo una olla hirviendo que se vierte
desde el norte.
14El Señor me contestó:
–Desde el norte se abate la desgracia
sobre todos los habitantes de esta
tierra,
15pues estoy llamando
a todas las dinastías de los reinos del
norte
–oráculo del Señor–.
Y todos ellos vendrán a plantar sus
reales
a la entrada de las puertas de Jerusalén,
pondrán cerco a todas sus murallas
y a todas las ciudades de Judá.
16Entonces pronunciaré mi juicio
sobre ellos
por toda su maldad,
porque me han abandonado,
han quemado incienso a dioses extranjeros,
y se han postrado ante las obras de
sus manos.
17Y tú, te ceñirás la cintura,
te levantarás, y les dirás
todo cuanto te ordene.
No les temas,
no vaya a ser que Yo te haga temerles.
18Yo te pongo hoy
como ciudad fortificada,
columna de hierro,
y muralla de bronce
sobre todo el país,
frente a los reyes de Judá y a sus autoridades,
a sus sacerdotes y al pueblo llano.
19Te harán la guerra,
pero no te podrán,
porque estoy contigo para librarte
–oráculo del Señor–.
Pregunta de Lectio Divina del día de hoy
Ponte en los zapatos de Jeremías mientras él recibe 'el llamado' del Señor (revisa los versos 4-10). ¿Qué estará revelando el Señor de su misión y su propósito para tu vida?
La Biblia de Navarra
Permiso para usar esta versión de la primera edición de la Biblia de Navarra
para el Año de la Biblia del Obispo
dado por Ediciones Universidad de Navarra, S.A. (EUNSA).