Name means: “Yahweh exalts”

AKA: “The weeping prophet”

Did you know? After Jeremiah had spent many years warning his countrymen of the coming foreign invaders, when the Babylonians did arrive, Nebuzaradan, commander of the imperial guard, recognized God’s hand in the Babylonian conquest. He treated Jeremiah kindly, saying, “Today I am freeing you from the chains on your wrists. Come with me to Babylon, if you like, and I will look after you; but if you don’t want to, don’t come. Look, the whole country lies before you; go wherever you please” (Jeremiah 40:4 NIV).

Startling facts: This man wouldn’t back down. Called by God to warn a wicked nation of coming judgment, his brothers, his people, and the reigning rulers did everything they could to try to shut up the words of God that Jeremiah was speaking. But God’s words were a fire in Jeremiah’s soul that had to be voiced.

Coolest trait: When God first called Jeremiah to be His prophet, Jeremiah replied, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child" (Jeremiah 1:6 NIV). But God thought otherwise, and anointed Jeremiah to speak His words of warning to an entire nation for 40 years.

You can too: Believe in God’s plans for your life, regardless of how you feel about your abilities.