Theophany 63: Jeremiah — The Word in the Mouth

Jeremiah on the ruins of Jerusalem by Horace Vernet, 1844. PUBLIC DOMAIN

Text: Jeremiah 1:9

(We return now to the sequence of prophetic callings, after reflecting more closely on Isaiah’s commission.)

The encounter comes quietly.

There is no throne like Isaiah saw. No burning coal. No overwhelming display.

Just a simple, decisive moment:

“The Lord put out His hand and touched my mouth.”

It is almost easy to miss—but everything changes here.

If Isaiah was cleansed by fire, Jeremiah was commissioned by touch. And then comes the word that defines his life:

“Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.”

This is the foundation of all true ministry. Not eloquence. Not confidence. Not even willingness.

God speaks first.

Jeremiah does not rush forward. He hesitates, even resists:

“I do not know how to speak. I am only a youth.”

And yet God does not wait for him to feel ready.

He reaches. He touches. He gives.

That is enough.

From this moment on, Jeremiah will carry words that are not his own. He will speak to kings who refuse to listen. He will warn a nation that will not turn. He will weep over a people who do not understand.

His calling will not be easy. It will be costly.

But its authority does not rest on his strength. It rests on this moment.

God has spoken into him before speaking through him.

That is the difference.

The prophet is not the source of the message. He is its vessel. And that is both his burden—and his assurance.

Closing Prayer –

Holy and sovereign Lord,

the God who calls before we are ready,

who knows us before we are formed,

we bow before You in reverence and awe.

You came to Your servant Jeremiah,

not in comfort, but in truth—

not with ease, but with fire in his bones.

And You spoke a word that could not be silenced.

Speak to us now, O Lord.

Touch our lips as You touched his.

Place Your word within us—

not as something we control,

but as something that compels us.

When we say, “I am too young,”

or “I am not able,”

remind us that Your call is greater than our fear.

When the path is costly,

and the message unwelcome,

give us the courage to stand,

to speak,

and to remain.

Let us not shrink back

when You send us to difficult places,

or to hard conversations,

or into a watching world.

Root out what must be torn down.

Build up what You desire to restore.

Plant Your truth deep within us,

that our lives may bear witness to Your faithfulness.

And when we feel alone,

remind us of Your promise:

“I am with you… to deliver you.”

So send us now—

not in our own strength,

but in the authority of Your presence.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Amen.

****************************************

Why should the dread of sin­ful man

Ensnare and vex my soul?

O for that for­ti­tude which can

My ev­ery fear con­trol.

Shall I of­fend a ho­ly God,

And sac­ri­fice my peace,

To shun a mor­tal’s threat­en­ing rod;

A friend or two to please?

Hard is the task, I must con­fess,

Where du­ty thus con­fines;

Nor can my soul es­cape dis­tress

Though she to God in­clines.

Fain would I please both friends and foes,

And fol­low peace with all,

Nor to one frown my­self ex­pose,

But where ’tis du­ty’s call.

I must ob­ey the God I love,

Though all the world con­temns;

One smile from Him I prize above

The rich­est earth­ly gems.

Hark, O my soul, me­thinks I hear

Jehovah’s aw­ful voice—

“Fear not, thou worm, for I am near,

I will de­fend thy choice.

“While mor­tal men re­vile and frown,

I’ll smile up­on thy soul;

And thou shalt tread the Tempt­er down,

While I his rage con­trol.

Trust thou in My al­migh­ty name,

Nor let thy faith be weak;

Thy soul shall ne’er be put to shame

Whilst thou My glo­ry seek.

Lord, I re­sign me to Thy will,

Thy wis­dom I adore!

I yield to Thee—Thy word ful­fill,

And let me doubt no more.

Words: Su­san­na Har­ris­on, Songs in the Night (Ip­swich, Eng­land: Pun­chard & Jer­myn, 1780)