.1:11-19.

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Two visions (Jer 1:11-19)

To encourage Jeremiah in the work that lay ahead of him, God gave him two visions. The almond, first tree to bloom in spring, symbolized God’s watchfulness and constant readiness to keep his promises (Jer 1:11-12.

The Hebrew word for ‘almond’ sounds like the Hebrew word for ‘watching’). The giant boiling pot, tilted from the north so as to pour its contents over Judah, symbolized a foreign army entering Judah from the north and overrunning the country. This was a judgment brought about by God because of Judah’s idolatry (Jer 1:13-16).

God told Jeremiah he was not to be afraid in announcing Judah’s doom, for God cannot use a coward. He warned that Jeremiah had a lifetime of opposition ahead of him, but at the same time he promised to specially strengthen his servant. All the attacks on Jeremiah, whether from political leaders, religious leaders or the people at large, would not overcome him, because God would strengthen and defend him (Jer 1:17-19).