Jeremiah 1:8

Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

Be not afraid {H3372} of their faces {H6440}: for I am with thee to deliver {H5337} thee, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you, says ADONAI, to rescue you."

Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,โ€ declares the LORD.

Be not afraid because of them; for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

Jeremiah 1:8 (KJV): "Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD."

Context

This verse is part of the account of the prophet Jeremiah's call by God. Jeremiah was young and initially felt inadequate for the immense task of speaking God's difficult message to the people of Judah during a time of spiritual decline and impending judgment (late 7th century BC). The previous verses describe God's foreknowledge of Jeremiah, his consecration from the womb, and his appointment as a prophet. Jeremiah expresses his youth and inability to speak, but God touches his mouth and puts His words in him. This verse immediately follows God's empowerment and commission, addressing the inevitable opposition Jeremiah would face from the very people he was sent to warn.

Key Themes

  • Divine Commission and Assurance: God calls Jeremiah and immediately provides assurance against fear, recognizing the daunting nature of the task.
  • Fear vs. Faith: The command "Be not afraid" directly confronts the natural human tendency to fear opposition, urging faith in God's presence and power instead.
  • God's Presence: The core of the assurance is God's promise, "I am with thee," which is a recurring theme throughout scripture for those called to challenging service. See Isaiah 41:10 for a similar promise.
  • Divine Protection and Deliverance: God promises not just to be present but actively "to deliver" Jeremiah from those who would oppose or harm him. This is not a promise of an easy path, but of ultimate safety and success in fulfilling the divine mission.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Be not afraid of their faces" uses the Hebrew word ืคึธึผื ึดื™ื (panim), meaning "face" or "presence." It implies being intimidated by the appearance, status, or sheer opposition presented by the people Jeremiah would confront, including kings, princes, priests, and the general populace mentioned in the following verses (Jeremiah 1:18). The word "deliver" comes from the Hebrew ื—ึธืœึทืฅ (chalats), which can mean to draw out, equip, or rescue, emphasizing God's active intervention to free Jeremiah from danger or difficulty.

Reflection and Application

Jeremiah's call and God's promise in this verse offer powerful encouragement to believers today. Whenever God calls us to a task, especially one that involves confronting difficult truths or facing opposition for our faith, it is natural to feel fear or inadequacy, much like Jeremiah. This verse reminds us that God anticipates our fears and provides the ultimate solution: His unfailing presence and promise of deliverance. We are not called to rely on our own strength or bravery, but on the assurance that the Almighty God "is with thee to deliver thee." This promise enables us to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, facing challenges with faith rather than fear.

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Cross-References

  • Joshua 1:5 (20 votes)

    There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

  • Joshua 1:9 (19 votes)

    Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

  • Isaiah 51:7 (12 votes)

    Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart [is] my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.

  • Jeremiah 15:20 (12 votes)

    And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I [am] with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 15:21 (12 votes)

    And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.

  • Luke 12:4 (11 votes)

    And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

  • Luke 12:5 (11 votes)

    But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.