Jeremiah 1:5

Jeremiah 1:5

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

1. “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee…”

a. formed [3335 * yatsar][Gesenius: to form, to fashion.][Strong: to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a resolution):--X earthen, fashion, form, frame, make(-r), potter, purpose.]

b. knew [3045 * yada’][Strong: to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), X will be, wist, wit, wot.]

c. Some mistakenly believe that only the most important in God’s plans are known before they are formed in the womb. I believe that every human being born on this planet was known before they were formed. Notice the wording in the following verses.

1). Romans 8:28, 29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

d. These verses have to be understood in the light of the truth that it is not God’s will that any perish, but that all come to repentance.

1). 1 Timothy 2:3, 4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Who will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth.

a). If it is God’s will for all to be saved then it is obvious that God foreknew or knew them before He formed them in the womb. He designed all to be conformed to the image of Jesus.

2). 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

e. From these Scriptures it is evident that God foreknew all of us. Glory to God! As our loving God was forming us in the womb He was designing us in such a way that it would most compliment the plan for our lives.

1). Psalm 139:13-18 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand:

2. “…and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

a. The only way to find out God’s plan for our life, to find out what He ordained us for or sanctified us for, is to first settle in our hearts to pursue the primary purpose for our creation, i.e., to be conformed to the image of Jesus. As we do that, God’s plan for our life will be birthed in our hearts.

1). Proverbs 3:5, 6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

b. The image we are to be transformed into is the image of Christ Jesus, as Romans 8:29 says, we were predestined or foreknown to be conformed to the image of Christ. The beginning and continuing of that process after repentance is renewing the mind.

2). Romans 12:1, 2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.