Jeremiah, one of the last of the seers before the Babylonian exile of the Jews, was outstanding among the seventh-century prophets for his obedience, strength, and courage, though at the same time he was greatly misunderstood. He was a man of deep sincerity, but some of the causes he espoused were unpopular with many of his countrymen, even considered contrary to national interest and policy.
It seems to have been about the year 626 b.c. that Jeremiah received his call to preach. His reluctance to accept the responsibility of becoming one of the Lord's representatives resembled that of Moses when he was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (cf. Jer. 1:6; Ex. 3:11; 4: 10); yet patriarch and prophet alike accepted the call, each proving worthy of a holy mission.
At the time of his call Jeremiah was assured that a great career lay ahead, one of constant challenge but of sure success. The Lord Himself had planned the nature of his work even before his birth: "Before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations" (Jer. 1:5). The inward voice rebuked the prophet's fear, affirming the perpetual presence of God with him, and the validity of the divine message: "See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant" (verse 10).
