Jer 1:11-16 | KingComments | STEP | Then in two pictures the LORD gives two confirmations of his calling ( ). These are the first two pictures of the many pictures we have in this book. These two were probably shown to him shortly after his calling. Both visions are uncomplicated and explained, both involve judgment. In order to speak, a prophet, in addition to being able to listen, must also be able to see. A prophet must also be a ‘seer’. The first picture is that of a rod of an almond tree ( ). Jeremiah sees in a vision the picture of a rod of an almond tree. Someone like Jeremiah, who knows Hebrew, immediately understands the meaning. It is a play on words with the word “watchful”, for in Hebrew the word “almond” is almost the same as “watchful”. A rod of an almond tree is also a watchful one. While it is still winter, the rod of an almond tree already begins to bloom, giving the message, as it were, that spring will soon come. The tree is also called shekedh in Hebrew, a word that means ‘the hasty tree’. Just as a rod of an almond tree holds the message of the coming spring, God’s Word holds the message of the coming judgment. The LORD watches over His word to bring judgment on Israel’s sins. He also watches over His word to bless them after the judgment ( ). What the past prophets have said will come, it is about to happen. Judgment is at the door. God is ready to act because He knows the state of the world. The “rod”, maqqel , here symbolizes judgment that will soon come on Israel (cf. ). This judgment will come through the Lord Jesus (cf. ). The LORD praises Jeremiah for looking closely and giving a correct answer. He has seen a ‘hasty tree’. God then declares that He is watching to fulfill His word soon and is going to work immediately to do so ( ). Jeremiah will prophesy and experience the fulfillment himself.

‏ Jeremiah 1:11-16

Vision of a Rod of an Almond Tree

Then in two pictures the LORD gives two confirmations of his calling (Jer 1:11-16). These are the first two pictures of the many pictures we have in this book. These two were probably shown to him shortly after his calling. Both visions are uncomplicated and explained, both involve judgment. In order to speak, a prophet, in addition to being able to listen, must also be able to see. A prophet must also be a ‘seer’.

The first picture is that of a rod of an almond tree (Jer 1:11). Jeremiah sees in a vision the picture of a rod of an almond tree. Someone like Jeremiah, who knows Hebrew, immediately understands the meaning. It is a play on words with the word “watchful”, for in Hebrew the word “almond” is almost the same as “watchful”. A rod of an almond tree is also a watchful one. While it is still winter, the rod of an almond tree already begins to bloom, giving the message, as it were, that spring will soon come. The tree is also called shekedh in Hebrew, a word that means ‘the hasty tree’.

Just as a rod of an almond tree holds the message of the coming spring, God’s Word holds the message of the coming judgment. The LORD watches over His word to bring judgment on Israel’s sins. He also watches over His word to bless them after the judgment (Jer 31:28).

What the past prophets have said will come, it is about to happen. Judgment is at the door. God is ready to act because He knows the state of the world. The “rod”, maqqel, here symbolizes judgment that will soon come on Israel (cf. Hab 2:3). This judgment will come through the Lord Jesus (cf. Heb 10:37).

The LORD praises Jeremiah for looking closely and giving a correct answer. He has seen a ‘hasty tree’. God then declares that He is watching to fulfill His word soon and is going to work immediately to do so (Jer 1:12). Jeremiah will prophesy and experience the fulfillment himself.

Vision of the Boiling Pot

The word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah “a second time” (Jer 1:13). That there is mention of a “second time” shows that the first and second visions are closely related. The first deals with the time of judgment, the second with the direction and nature of the coming disaster. Again the LORD asks what Jeremiah sees. His answer is: “I see a boiling pot, facing away from the north.”

That can only mean disaster (cf. Eze 11:3; Mic 3:3). Here it is about Babylon, the great enemy from the north. Although Babylon lies east of Judah, her armies – like all the armies from Asia – will invade Israel from the north because of the impassable Arabian wilderness. Here this great enemy from the north is mentioned for the first time.

Into the boiling pot will be thrown the disobedient of God’s people. The pot is comparable to the fiery furnace of Egypt (Gen 15:17), where Israel was oppressed so violently and for so long. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, will be the new oppressor. It also refers to the distant future, when the nations will go to war against Jerusalem (Zec 14:1-2).

The LORD explains the vision (Jer 1:14). The boiling pot, appearing with its open side from the north, represents the calamity that will be poured out on the whole land of Judah. In boiling anger the armies of the king of Babylon will come upon the land. That invasion will culminate in victory for the enemy. Jeremiah sees it happening here in a vision.

In reality, nothing is yet seen of the power of Babylon and it will be another 40 years before the fulfillment of this vision will take place. But it will happen, for the LORD Himself will call Babylon from the north to go up against His people (Jer 1:15). Nebuchadnezzar’s armies will come and overwhelm Jerusalem. His princes will set their thrones at the entrance of the gates of the city (Jer 39:3). The gate is the place of public affairs, where justice is spoken (Rth 4:1-10). If the enemy rules there, it means the complete subjugation of the city. The walls will offer no protection whatsoever. What is true of Jerusalem is true of all the cities of Judah.

From the beginning of his ministry, Jeremiah is a preacher of judgment. As Isaiah speaks of the LORD’s redemption, Ezekiel of the LORD’s glory, and Daniel of the LORD’s kingdom, so Jeremiah incessantly proclaims the LORD’s judgment (Jer 1:16). The cause of the judgments, “all their wickedness”, which the LORD pronounces on Judah – and Jeremiah is to communicate them to all the land – has three parts, namely,

1. “that they have forsaken Me and

2. have offered sacrifices to other gods and

3. worshiped the works of their own hands”.

Forsaking the LORD opens the door to every form of idolatry, which is worshiping something or someone other than Him. Offering sacrifices to other gods is essentially paying homage to demons (1Cor 10:20). The idols themselves are nothing but works of their hands, pieces of gold or silver or wood or stone. The folly of kneeling down before a piece of material will still be sarcastically brought to the attention of the people by Jeremiah (Jer 10:1-16).