The Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 1:5

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Predestination.

I. CONSIDER THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A DIVINE PREDESTINATION.

1. This implies

2. This predestination does not involve fatalism; it is consistent with human freedom of action and personal responsibility. On the one hand we must conclude, from its existence, that there are certain possibilities with which God endows a man, and certain limits with which God has hedged him about. But on the other hand, we must recognize that it depends on the man's own will and effort whether he use those possibilities, and attain to the end enclosed within those limits. He has a Divine vocation, but he may neglect it; he may fail in realizing God's idea of his life. There rests on him the responsibility of accomplishing his destiny.

II. CONSIDER THE GROUNDS FOR BELIEF IN A DIVINE PREDESTINATION.

1. It is revealed in Scripture (e.g. Acts 2:23; Romans 8:29; 1 Peter 1:2).

2. It is involved in the idea of the providence of a supreme God. God foresees all the future; in every act of his all other events and their relation to this must be present to the mind of God. With such knowledge a universal control of events, such as is implied by a providence not interfering from without now and again at critical moments, but immanent in the whole course of the world, must imply a Divine preordination.

3. It is proved to us by experience.

III. CONSIDER THE PURPOSE OF A DIVINE PREDESTINATION.

1. It must often he mysterious. Until we review life as a whole we shall not be able to interpret the meaning of its several parts. We cannot judge of the architect's design by examining the separate stones which lie scattered in the builder's yard. But:

2. It is not arbitrary. The very idea of destiny as determined by a Being of infinite thought implies purpose based on reason. God would not determine events simply to manifest his unfettered rights of sovereignty. Such aimless caprice could only emanate from a senseless despot.

3. It is turned to a good purpose. This must be so, for if God is good his designs must be good. The predestination is

IV. CONSIDER THE PRACTICAL EFFECT OF THE DOCTRINE OF PREDESTINATION. It contains no excuse for indolence and no reason for despair, for God fits all of us for sonic service, the accomplishment of which depends on our own faithfulness.

1. It should lead us to inquire what is God's will, rather than to carve out a career for ourselves.

2. It should make us humble, submissive, obedient, and diligent in service, since there is a Divine idea of our life which God expects us to realize.

3. It should inspire courage in the midst of difficulties. Jeremiah was brave in the thought that he was fulfilling a Divine destiny. Such a thought inspires energy in face of enmity, contempt, isolation, and apparent failure.

More for Jeremiah 1:5

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Jeremiah 1:1-10Jeremiah 1:1-10 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryJeremiah's early call to the work and office of a prophet is stated. He was to be a prophet, not to the Jews only, but to the neighbouring nations. He is still a prophet to the whole world, and it would be well if they…The Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 1:1-19Jeremiah 1:1-19 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION AN ACCOUNT OF THE CALL AND CONSECRATION OF JEREMIAH TO THE PROPHETIC OFFICE, FOLLOWED BY TWO EXPRESSIVE SYMBOLS OF THE MATTERS WHICH HE HAS TO ANNOUNCE.Jeremiah's Call to the Prophetic Office. (b. c. 629.)Jeremiah 1:4-10 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleJEREMIAH'S CALL TO THE PROPHETIC OFFICE. (B. C. 629.) Here is, I. Jeremiah's early designation to the work and office of a prophet, which God gives him notice of as a reason for his early application to that business (J…The Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 1:4-9Jeremiah 1:4-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryJehovah calls Jeremiah and gives him ample encouragements. I. THE PURPOSE OF WHICH JEREMIAH WAS BROUGHT INTO EXISTENCE. This is stated in a very solemn and impressive way in verse 5. Jehovah presents himself to Jeremiah…The Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 1:4-10Jeremiah 1:4-10 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe call of the prophet. As these are elements both ordinary and extraordinary in the prophetic office, so preparation, etc; for it must be of both kinds. Much that may be said of it will be applicable to all other serv…The Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 1:4-10Jeremiah 1:4-10 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe prophet's call. We see in the case of Jeremiah a striking instance of a man constrained by force of circumstance and by a Divine call to occupy a position and to do a kind of work for which he was not naturally eith…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Jeremiah 1:1-10Jeremiah's early call to the work and office of a prophet is stated. He was to be a prophet, not to the Jews only, but to the neighbouring nations. He is still a prophet to the whole world, and it would be well if they…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 1:1-19EXPOSITION AN ACCOUNT OF THE CALL AND CONSECRATION OF JEREMIAH TO THE PROPHETIC OFFICE, FOLLOWED BY TWO EXPRESSIVE SYMBOLS OF THE MATTERS WHICH HE HAS TO ANNOUNCE.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryJeremiah's Call to the Prophetic Office. (b. c. 629.)JEREMIAH'S CALL TO THE PROPHETIC OFFICE. (B. C. 629.) Here is, I. Jeremiah's early designation to the work and office of a prophet, which God gives him notice of as a reason for his early application to that business (J…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 1:4-10The call of the prophet. As these are elements both ordinary and extraordinary in the prophetic office, so preparation, etc; for it must be of both kinds. Much that may be said of it will be applicable to all other serv…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 1:4-10The prophet's call. We see in the case of Jeremiah a striking instance of a man constrained by force of circumstance and by a Divine call to occupy a position and to do a kind of work for which he was not naturally eith…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 1:4-19The dread commission. I. WHAT WAS IT? (Cf. Jeremiah 1:10.) It was to denounce the judgments of God against his people. At the end of the commission there is mention made of "building and planting;" but the chief charge…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 1:4-19The call of Jeremiah.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 1:4-9Jehovah calls Jeremiah and gives him ample encouragements. I. THE PURPOSE OF WHICH JEREMIAH WAS BROUGHT INTO EXISTENCE. This is stated in a very solemn and impressive way in verse 5. Jehovah presents himself to Jeremiah…Joseph S. Exell and contributors