Jeremiah 1:4-10 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,… Farel, alike humble and courageous, had often asked if another would not succeed better than he, and a sort of presentiment had bidden him wait in hope for such a man. Calvin was unwilling to undertake the work, he was not made, he said, for such an office Farel is urgent Calvin educes fresh reasons, and it seemed as though he wanted to deter Farel by exhibiting to him the defects of his future colleague. Once more he asked that he might be left in obscurity to busy himself in studies. Then Farel broke out, "Thy studies are a pretext. I tell thee that if thou refuse to associate thyself with my works God will curse thee for having sought thyself and not Christ." Calvin was henceforth prompt and sincere in the work of the Lord. Say not, I am a child. — Jeremiah's mission: — I. HIS OBJECTION NOT UNREASONABLE. 1. Inexperience. 2. Insufficient knowledge. 3. Modest diffidence. 4. Yet his ago and defects time would remedy. II. HOW GOD OVERRULES HIS OBJECTION. 1. He refers to His preordination. 2. He refers to His commission. 3. He was to speak God's words. 4. Divine presence pledged. 5. Supernatural communication.Lessons: 1. God, not man, arranges the affairs of His moral kingdom. 2. God qualifies His instruments. 3. God often selects His agents, not as men would do. 4. God gives His own message to His messengers. 5. The ministry of God's servants is mighty for good or evil. (1) Listen when God speaks. (2) Obey when He commands (3) Trust when He promises. (Y. Burns, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, |
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