Jeremiah 1:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

I am the young one. Observe the humility of the just, as they commemorate their own flaws through memorials. Who among us would not feel disgraced to commit such things to paper? Yet they dwelled apart from glory and ambition; when they spoke or listened, they preserved it with utmost fidelity. Furthermore, the prophet reminds us that we struggle to articulate this. Thus, when you see Him speaking and addressing them, do not ascribe these words to His authority, for He had previously declared that we cannot articulate about Him. He recognized the one who spoke to Him, which is why he called him by his ancient name. When Moses sought to discover the divine name, the Lord replied, ‘I am He’ (Exodus 3:14). The reference to youth, which seems unsuitable for the prophetic role, reflects Moses’ reverence. However, the Lord instructs him to not shrink back because of his youth, but to carry out the task assigned to him, dispelling his trepidation.

He declines the calling, feeling unfit due to his advanced years, demonstrating a humility akin to that of Moses, who described himself as slow of speech and reluctant to communicate (Exodus 4:10). However, Moses, having matured and grown stronger, endures criticism; thus, his youthful years, marked by humility and purity, are justifiably excused.

Moses and Jeremiah, appointed by God to deliver His messages to the people, attempted to decline their divinely granted missions out of humility. Therefore, the quality of humility is truly admirable, demonstrating its grace not only through actions but also in our speech. We must maintain a balance in our conversations, ensuring our words reflect our thoughts properly, as our expressions reveal our inner being. Humility also moderates the power of our voices so that excessive volume does not disturb those listening.

The prophet discerned the one who spoke to him, as He addressed him by his own name. When the revered Moses sought to learn the name of the Lord, the Master responded, ‘I am He’ (Ex. 3:14). The prophet mirrors Moses’ reverence by acknowledging that his youth does not qualify him for the role of Prophet.

Jeremiah laments in response to the Lord's call, saying, "O Lord God, I cannot speak, for I am a child." He acknowledges his inability to articulate his thoughts after being overwhelmed by the words he has received.

He began his prophetic ministry in 630 B.C. at a young age, which is clear from the opening chapter of his book. When the Lord called him to prophesy, he expressed his feelings of inadequacy by saying, ‘O Lord God, I do not know how to speak, for I am still a young boy.'

It is essential to recognize that genuinely spiritual individuals and respectable instructors rarely emerge in overwhelming numbers. The foundational aspect of their honor lies in acknowledging their shortcomings, while the pinnacle of their wisdom is expressed through humility. They tend to blend into the ranks of their disciples and do not willingly increase the number of teachers. For instance, even when God commissions Moses and Jeremiah to preach, they demonstrate reluctance. Moses responds, "Thou shalt choose another, whom thou canst after" (Exodus 4:13), and Jeremiah states, "We cannot speak" (Jeremiah 1:6).