Jeremiah 1:9, commentary and pictures

The touch upon the mouth is God Himself placing His own words in the one He sends, so that person speaks for Him and represents Him. It qualifies weak, fearful and inefficient workers for service, for God seeks humble, teachable people rather than those chosen for learning, eloquence or worldly wealth. The one so touched is to go where God sends and speak whatever God commands without fear of opposition, trusting not in self-strength but in God's wisdom, presence and deliverance. The words given are not the messenger's own shaped by human wishes, but the Lord's messages of warning and reproof, with the Holy Spirit supplying language and utterance fitted to reach the people. By that touch Jeremiah was set over nations and kingdoms to root out and pull down and destroy and throw down, to build and to plant, with the closing promise assuring restoration and healing to all who turn from evil-doing even amid fearless prophecies of judgment.

Touch and Commissioning Words

The touch upon the mouth is the act by which God places His own words in the mouth of the one He sends, so that person is enabled to speak for Him and to represent Him. By that touch He set Jeremiah over nations and kingdoms to root out and to pull down and to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant. The closing words, to build and to plant, assured Jeremiah of God's purpose to restore and to heal. His mission therefore joined fearless prophecies of swift-coming judgment against wickedness and forsaking God with assurances of forgiveness to all who turn from evil-doing.

The words so given are not the messenger's own but the Lord's messages of warning and reproof, given to reprove actions that are not right and to exhort from the Word. They proclaim the message He has prepared rather than one shaped by human wishes. The Holy Spirit supplies language and utterance, and God provides words fitted to reach the people, made open in plain simplicity.

God Equips Humble Messengers

The touch upon the mouth qualifies weak, inefficient, and fearful workers for service by placing God's own words there for the one He sends. God equips a person for service in this way by putting His words in the mouth, choosing humble, teachable people who will speak His words and represent Him rather than choosing them for worldly wealth, learning, or eloquence. He can use each person in proportion as His Spirit fills the soul, so that work accepted by Him bears His image and immortal principles.

The touch gives assurance to go wherever He sends, to speak whatever He commands, and not to fear opposition, trusting not in own strength and ability but in the wisdom of God. His presence delivers the worker and works with him so that labor is not in vain, felt as His holy touch upon the lips. Sharing with Christ in His work for the uplifting of humanity is the closest and most lofty friendship. The same enabling and assurance belongs to members of Christ's church, who are to speak the words He gives them in trust in His presence and help. The promise belongs to ministers today as shepherds sent by Christ just as the disciples were sent, to feed the flock with timely truth by speaking only the words God gives, trusting not in money, talent, learning, eloquence, or self-strength but in God as strength.

Speaking God's Word Faithfully

The touch puts the word of truth in the mouth of the one appointed to speak it, and with that gift comes guarding and protection and prolonged labor until the foundation is laid, as in the case of Wycliffe, who was kept and his work extended until he had laid the foundation for the Reformation. In a time of emergency God works through His servant for His name's glory, putting His own words in his lips to spread light and to open the Scriptures to minds in darkness, as He did through Elder Haskell for the students. When sent to Battle Creek to bear testimony in clear, decided lines, the messenger speaks instruction from the Lord so that all who hear are left without excuse, and the promise is fulfilled by giving a message to bear before the thousands assembled.

The same gift gives divine utterance for public labor in the same line week after week, in a full meeting opened with prayer and shared with other speakers, and blessing attends it so that the backbone of rebellion is broken, calling forth thanksgiving and praise. While standing to speak, God gives more clear and precious ideas of truth to give to the people, and this gift is a token of His love that brings rejoicing when souls take their position on the truth and praise to God. God sets apart His messenger in youth to bear His word to erring ones and unbelievers, to carry the Word with voice and pen and to reprove actions that are not right and to exhort from the Word in plain simplicity without learning in the schools.

The words so given are not the messenger's own but the Lord's messages of warning and reproof put in the mouth under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The one so called is told not to be afraid of men because God's shield protects, never to deviate from the truth under any circumstances, and to give the light given. The messages for the last days so given stand written in books as immortalized, unchangeable, eternal testimony.