When I was teaching Old Testament in seminary two years ago, I made up the following "mission call" to illustrate the great trials the prophet Jeremiah went through as he preached the gospel in Jerusalem around 626 B.C. I'm glad my sons' mission calls didn't read this way.
Dear Jeremiah,
You are called to serve in the Jerusalem, Judea mission, entering the mission field on April 17, 626 BC, or the 13th year of the reign of King Josiah.
You are called to be a missionary among a people the Lord has scheduled to be destroyed by the Babylonians. Since the Lord is a merciful God, He must warn them through prophets so that they will have an opportunity to repent. Unfortunately, none of them will ever repent, so you will never have any success in converting anyone.
You will suffer much persecution while on your mission. You will be reviled, opposed, and insulted by civic and religious leaders, common people, and by the army. Everyone will hate you.
You will be all alone. You won’t have a missionary companion to help you.
The Lord has commanded you not to ever get married.
Your mission will end at your death.
Welcome to the mission field.
Sincerely,
Your mission president.
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