Jeremiah 1:9-10

JEREMIAH—NOTE ON Jeremiah 1:9 God touches Jeremiah’s mouth and sets it apart for his use (Isaiah 6:4). That God puts his words in Jeremiah’s mouth emphasizes the words’ divine source (see Deuteronomy 18:18). Jeremiah claims no credit for what follows. This word has power over nations and over kingdoms. The sovereign word of the sovereign God governs history. Jeremiah’s message over the 40 years of his ministry is threefold: (1) he must pluck up and break down, which refers to preaching against sin; (2) he must destroy and overthrow, which relates to messages concerning judgment; and (3) he must build and plant, which means he must preach about hope and renewal. One or more of these three word pairs occur again in Jeremiah 18:7; Jeremiah 31:28; Jeremiah 45:4.