Jeremiah and Isaiah

Jeremiah 1:1-2:30

Philippians 4:1-23

Psalm 75:1-10

Proverbs 24:17-20

Today's readings herald the start of the book of Jeremiah, a prophet for whom many people have a great deal of love and appreciation. We've just finished Isaiah and although he has some of the most beautiful and poetic passages in the Bible you still can't help but come away from reading his prophecy without thinking that there is something of the Ian Paisley's about him.

He sometimes seems just a little too keen to sing about "The day of vengeance of our God" but in Jeremiah we have a prophet who seems to have the heart of a poet as well as the hands of a wordsmith.

The contrast is not just in the writings but in the call of both prophets. Isaiah is a statesman and confidant of kings who is called in the Jerusalem Temple with a vision of glory.  Jeremiah, although a priest, is called in what appears to be a garden or rural setting.

Isaiah declares himself unworthy as his lips are unclean, he has too much experience of lying, too many hurtful words have passed through his lips for them to be used to speak the Word of God. Jeremiah declares himself unworthy because he is too young, he does not have enough experience in life to stand up for God amid the hurly burly of Jerusalem life.

I admire Isaiah, he is brash, bold and unstoppable but I prefer Jeremiah. I love his fragility because it allows you to see that weak people can be used by God as much as the strong. Thankfully God chooses all sorts of people to grow his kingdom and live in his family.

Vive la différence!