Who was Jeremiah?
We know that God has spoken through a vast company of men and women of a wide range of backgrounds — princes, herdsmen, fishermen and even a Pharisee of the Pharisees. Jeremiah was highly qualified by virtue of his training. He was a priest (1:1). In fact, he was the son of Hilkiah, the high priest (II Kgs. 22:4). Consequently, Jeremiah would be a prominent “insider” in the religious and political power structure, and would have contacts in key places. Jeremiah s message was so important and final that he was specially chosen for his task. “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (1:5). At first Jeremiah was reluctant, “Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child” (1:6) But God promised him protection (1:8) and even inspiration (1:9). Who would envy this man of sorrows who prophesied for some 40 and one half years to a nation who was in its final death thro
