October 19-25: Jeremiah 1-3; 7; 16-18; 20

"Before I Formed Thee in the Belly I Knew Thee"

Samuel Hans Jepperson (American, born Denmark, 1855-1931)

Harvest Time Utah County or "Timpanogos Harvest" (c. 1910)

Oil on canvas, 21.25 x 33 inches

Springville Museum of Art, Gift of Randa Benwet Mette and Lydia Benwet Olsen, 2004.014

Used with permission of the museum

The book begins with the calling of Jeremiah, whom God appoints as a prophet to speak His words despite Jeremiah’s initial fear and youth. Jeremiah accuses Judah of turning away from God and compares the unfaithfulness to broken relationships, and calls for repentance. Chapter 7 records Jeremiah’s temple sermon, warning that religious rituals aren't enough to build and grow faith. Jeremiah teahces of a potter shaping clay to show God’s ability to guide and reshape his people. Chapter 20 reveals Jeremiah’s personal struggle, as he faces persecution for his message and expresses deep sorrow, yet will not stop speaking God’s truth.

A major theme is the call to genuine repentance and faith rather than relying on outward religious practices. These chapters emphasize accountability. Developing and living a life of faith will shape the life we live. Another key theme is God’s sovereignty, illustrated through the image of the potter who shapes and reshapes according to His purpose. Ultimately, Jeremiah’s personal struggles highlight the cost of speaking truth and remaining faithful in difficult circumstances.

In the early Utah pioneer years, artists struggled to find even basic materials to create. The Provo painter, Samuel Hans Jepperson, initially made his own brushes out of chicken feathers and his own pigments by finding berries and crushing them. He loved painting so much that he would sometimes scrape the finished painting bare, just to be able to paint again. Personal struggle is real for all of us. God will help us find a way to courageously persevere.

Gospel Questions

1. How does the imagery of the potter and the clay influence your view of the savior?

2. If insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result. Does Jeremiah's perseverance challenge how you are building your faith?

3. If our deeper values lead to our everyday decisions. What deeper values are leading you?

For Children and Youth

Hi. God chose Jeremiah to tell people to stop doing wrong and start doing what is right. Even when people didn’t listen and it made him sad, Jeremiah kept sharing the truth.

1. How does it feel when you do what is right?

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