Tuesday 28th July
Read Jeremiah 1:4-5
“The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’” (NIVUK)
Commentators spend much time considering the implications of these introductory words in Jeremiah. They reflect on predestination, calling, the inspiration of scripture, abortion laws, holiness and mission. Each of these ideas we could fruitfully expand upon today, and through the week, and trace them through both Jeremiah and the rest of Scripture.
Those commentating today, rather than years, decades or centuries past, wrestle with what these words say about identity. Over the last ten years society has encouraged the young to form their own identity, spend time working out what it is, experiment with all aspects of it and not be constrained by birth and labels. Identity is a constant work in progress.
These words to Jeremiah suggest that a key player in that conversation is missing. Identity is divinely formed. We may not all be formed as prophets to the nations but we are divinely crafted and stamped with God’s image.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:6-8) (NIVUK)
