came to me
This personalizes the message, indicating that Jeremiah is the recipient of God's word. It highlights the intimate relationship between God and His prophets. Jeremiah, a young man from a priestly family in Anathoth, is chosen by God to deliver His messages. This personal calling is similar to other prophets, such as Samuel (1 Samuel 3:4) and Moses (Exodus 3:4), who also received direct communication from God.

saying:
This introduces the content of the divine message. It sets the stage for the specific instructions or revelations that God is about to impart. The use of "saying" indicates that what follows is not just a general impression but a specific, articulated message from God. This structure is typical in prophetic literature, where the prophet often acts as a mouthpiece for God's words, as seen in the messages given to prophets like Amos (Amos 1:3) and Hosea (Hosea 1:2).

- Jeremiah records an objective, verbal revelation, not a private feeling. As in Isaiah 55:11, God’s “word … will accomplish what I please,” underscoring reliability.

- Scripture everywhere treats God’s speech as living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12), binding on hearers, and preserved for us today (Matthew 24:35).

- Because it is actual “word,” we listen with humble readiness rather than subjective editing (James 1:22).

- The source is the covenant-keeping LORD, the “I AM” who spoke from the burning bush (Exodus 3:14) and who framed creation by His word (Psalm 33:6).

- Identifying the speaker guards us from equating human opinion with divine authority (Galatians 1:11–12).

- The phrase assures us that Scripture carries the full weight of God’s character—holy, truthful, faithful (Numbers 23:19).

- God initiates; Jeremiah does not conjure a message. Similarly, “the word of the LORD came to Samuel” in 1 Samuel 3:1 and to Ezekiel in Ezekiel 1:3.

- The verb hints at purposeful movement—God pursuing the prophet, then His people.

- Practical takeaway: revelation is grace; we owe our knowledge of God to His pursuit, not our search (John 6:44).

- Divine speech is personal. Before the nation hears, Jeremiah does (compare Amos 3:7—“He reveals His counsel to His servants the prophets”).

- This echoes Jeremiah 1:5, where the Lord knew and set apart the prophet “before [he] was born,” highlighting individual calling.

- Personal encounter produces personal responsibility (Acts 26:19): when God calls, obedience is not optional.

- God’s word carries content, not vague impression. He will soon articulate Jeremiah’s commission (1:5–10).

- The clause reminds us that revelation leads to proclamation; what Jeremiah hears he must speak (Jeremiah 1:17; Acts 5:20).

- Like the lion’s roar in Amos 3:8, the divine “saying” compels the prophet to declare the message unaltered (2 Timothy 4:2).

Jeremiah 1:4 presents a literal, inerrant record of God’s personal, authoritative, initiative‐taking speech to His chosen servant. The verse teaches that Scripture originates with the LORD Himself, arrives by His gracious action, addresses individuals for specific purposes, and contains concrete truth that must be proclaimed and obeyed.