Please read the passage before reading the commentary
Here begins the book of Jeremiah. God called Jeremiah. From before Jeremiah’s conception in his mother’s womb, God had called Jeremiah. Thus our book begins as well. Before our conception in our mother’s womb, God called each one of us.
It whelms us when God calls. Jeremiah was whelmed and even overwhelmed; he tried to make excuses to get out of the call. We are like him. It whelms us and overwhelms us to understand that God has called us from before our mother’s womb to some great task. Like Jeremiah, we tend to make excuses. As with Jeremiah, however, so with us God remains adamant.
What task did Jeremiah have? To root up and tear down to destroy and demolish, to build and to plant. In one sense Jeremiah had four negative things to do and two positive things. We routinely tear down buildings and uproot vegetation so that we can build different buildings and plant different crops. What appears negative may really be part of a positive project. Like all prophets, Jeremiah was called to summon the people away from their sins and transgression and into covenant relationship with God.
Covenant is not a contract; covenant is a way of life. God wants relationship with us. In this relationship, God can give us all a full plate of joy and gift. God called Jeremiah to lead the people into this covenant relationship with God. Our task us like Jeremiah’s, to lead people into covenant. Despite his excuses, Jeremiah did this. Despite our excuses, will we do what God is calling us to do?