8. 4 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.” 6 “Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”

9. 7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

10. 9 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

11. 11 The word of the LORD came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” “I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied. 12 The LORD said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”

13. Hebrew word for “Almond” is shakeid (שָׁקֵד) Comes from a root that means to "watch" or "wake" (i.e., shakad: שָׁקַד)

14. The almond tree is among the first trees to “awaken” from its winter sleep so they watch for it to bud as the sign of Spring.

15. Photo by Ester Inbar

16. Almond budding Photo by Ester Inbar – wikimediacommons

17. Exodus 25:33-34; 37:19-20… “bowls shall be made like almond blossoms”

19. Matthew 27 “ 9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, 10 and gave them for the potter’s field, as the L ORD directed me.”

20. Matthew 27:9 “ 9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, 10 and gave them for the potter’s field, as the L ORD directed me.” Quote is actually from Zechariah 11:12.

21. “In the tradition of the Rabbis, the order of the books of the prophets… is Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and the twelve.”

22. Calling anything from the prophets as “Jeremiah” is the same as you calling any facial tissue a “Kleenex.”

23. The Confirmation of Faithfulness to His Word The play on Hebrew words… The play on Hebrew words… “Almond” comes from the Hebrew root word meaning “to watch.” “Almond” comes from the Hebrew root word meaning “to watch.” They “watched” for the almond to bud signifying spring was coming. They “watched” for the almond to bud signifying spring was coming.

24. 11 The word of the LORD came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” “I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied. 12 The LORD said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”

25. God is watching over His Word to see that it is fulfilled. HE WILL BE FAITHFUL TO HIS WORD!

28. …Faithful to God in daily devotions and attending church. …Faithful to my family and other relationships, keeping sex only in marriage. …Faithful in my work doing all things diligently for Christ. …Faithful in my health taking care of the temple of the Holy Spirit. …Faithful in my finances, being a wise steward of what God blesses me with. Signed ____________

29. 7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.