Jeremiah 1:5

Before I formed thee. Even before Jeremiah was born it had been purposed that he should fill the prophetic office. To every individual God has assigned a place of duty and responsibility in His great plan (see PK 536; COL 326, 327).

Sanctified. Heb. qadash, which, in the form here found, may be translated “declared as sacred [or, dedicated]” (see on Gen. 2:3). God set Jeremiah apart for a special use. He separated him for his peculiar prophetic work.

Ordained. Heb. nathan, “to give,” here used in the sense “to appoint.” A similar prenatal choice was made of John the Baptist (Luke 1:15). Jeremiah might have refused to comply with the divine call. All men are endowed at birth with certain possibilities, but it is their responsibility to develop these possibilities to the full. Likewise God has a plan for every life today. “The specific place appointed us in life is determined by our capabilities” (Ed 267). We should discover what this place is and seek to carry out God’s purpose and plan for us.

A prophet. A prophet is one who receives direct revelations from God to be communicated to others. He is not primarily a foreteller, or predictor. Rather he is a spokesman or interpreter for God. The revelation that the prophet receives may or may not refer to the future.

Nations. Heb. goyim, also translated “heathen,” or “Gentiles.” Jeremiah was to be God’s messenger not only to Judah but to the outlying Gentile nations as well.