Jeremiah15

The LORD declares an unchangeable judgment upon Judah for their persistent sin, stating that even Moses and Samuel's intercession would not avert the decreed destruction by sword, famine, death, and captivity. Jeremiah laments his suffering as a prophet of contention but is assured by God of his personal protection and restoration if he remains faithful, separating the precious from the vile. God promises to make Jeremiah a fortified wall against his adversaries.
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God Rejects Intercession for Judah

1
Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My heart would not go out to this people. Send them from My presence, and let them go. ​
2
If they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘Those destined for death, to death; those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine; and those destined for captivity, to captivity.’ ​
3
I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. ​
4
I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah king of Judah did in Jerusalem. ​
5
Who will have pity on you, O Jerusalem? Who will mourn for you? Who will turn aside to ask about your welfare?
6
You have forsaken Me, declares the LORD. You have turned your back. So I will stretch out My hand against you and I will destroy you; I am weary of showing compassion. ​
7
I will scatter them with a winnowing fork at the gates of the land. I will bereave and destroy My people who have not turned from their ways.
8
I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea. I will bring a destroyer at noon against the mothers of young men. I will suddenly bring upon them anguish and dismay.
9
The mother of seven will grow faint; she will breathe her last breath. Her sun will set while it is still day; she will be disgraced and humiliated. And the rest I will put to the sword in the presence of their enemies,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah Laments His Calling

10
Woe to me, my mother, that you have borne me, a man of strife and conflict in all the land. I have neither lent nor borrowed, yet everyone curses me. ​
11
The LORD said: “Surely I will deliver you for a good purpose; surely I will intercede with your enemy in your time of trouble, in your time of distress. ​
12
Can anyone smash iron— iron from the north—or bronze? ​
13
Your wealth and your treasures I will give up as plunder, without charge for all your sins within all your borders.
14
Then I will enslave you to your enemies in a land you do not know, for My anger will kindle a fire that will burn against you.”

Jeremiah Prays and Questions God

15
You understand, O LORD; remember me and attend to me. Avenge me against my persecutors. In Your patience, do not take me away. Know that I endure reproach for Your honor. ​
16
Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight. For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts. ​
17
I never sat with the band of revelers, nor did I celebrate with them. Because Your hand was on me, I sat alone, for You have filled me with indignation. ​
18
Why is my pain unending, and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become like a mirage to me— water that is not there. ​

The Lord Reaffirms Jeremiah’s Mission

19
Therefore this is what the LORD says: “If you return, I will restore you; you will stand in My presence. And if you speak words that are noble instead of worthless, you will be My spokesman. It is they who must turn to you, but you must not turn to them. ​
20
Then I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to save and deliver you, declares the LORD. ​
21
I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”

Study Notes for Jeremiah 15

Verse 1

Moses (who interceded after the Golden Calf) and Samuel (who interceded against the Philistines) represent the greatest intercessors in Israel’s history. God emphasizes that Judah’s sin is now too great for even their prayers to be effective.

Verse 2

These four judgments (death, sword, famine, captivity) represent a comprehensive schema of destruction, indicating that no segment of society will escape the coming disaster.

Verse 3

The 'four kinds' of judgment are expanded here to include the humiliation of unburied corpses devoured by animals, a severe curse in the ancient Near East.

Verse 4

Manasseh, one of Judah's most wicked kings (697–642 BC), introduced widespread idolatry and child sacrifice. His unrepented sins are cited as the primary historical catalyst for the severity of the impending judgment.

Verse 6

The anthropopathism, 'I am weary with repenting,' powerfully expresses God’s final exhaustion with Judah's covenant violation, signifying that the period of patient forbearance is over and judgment is certain.

Verse 10

This is the third of Jeremiah's 'Confessions.' He laments his isolation and the constant contention he faces, despite living an honest, non-exploitative life (not lending or borrowing on usury).

Verse 11

This verse is generally interpreted as a personal promise of protection and favor specifically to Jeremiah, assuring him that even his enemies will treat him well during the time of national suffering.

Verse 12

The 'northern iron' likely refers to high-quality, exceptionally hard iron or bronze (perhaps Babylonian weaponry). The rhetorical question asks if Judah can possibly withstand the superior strength of the northern invaders.

Verse 15

Jeremiah appeals to God’s omniscience ('thou knowest') and asks for personal vengeance against those who persecute him for delivering God’s difficult message.

Verse 16

The metaphor 'I did eat them' signifies the intense internalization of God’s word (cf. Ezek. 3:3). The word initially brought joy but later led to isolation because of the message of doom he had to proclaim.

Verse 17

Jeremiah emphasizes his faithfulness, separating himself from the social life and false optimism of the populace because the burden of God's judgment was heavy upon him.

Verse 18

This verse expresses the height of Jeremiah’s crisis of faith. He questions God’s reliability, suggesting that the Lord has become like 'waters that fail,' a deceptive mirage or dried-up stream in the desert.

Verse 19

God demands that Jeremiah repent of his sinful complaints (the 'vile') and purify his speech (the 'precious') before his ministry is restored. He must lead the people back, not be led astray by their despair.

Verse 20

God re-issues the promise of protection given at Jeremiah's call (cf. 1:18). By becoming a 'fenced brasen wall,' Jeremiah is guaranteed divine strength to resist the people’s opposition.

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