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.

God Rejects Intercession for Judah

1
Then ADONAI said to me, "Even if Moshe and Sh'mu'el were standing in front of me, my heart would not turn toward this people! Drive them out of my sight, get them out of here! ​
2
And when they ask you where they should go, tell them that this is what ADONAI says: 'Those destined for death - to death! Those destined for the sword - to the sword! Those destined for famine - to famine! Those destined for captivity - to captivity!' ​
3
"I will assign them four kinds [of scourges]," says ADONAI, "the sword to kill, dogs to drag away, birds in the air and wild animals to devour and destroy. ​
4
I will make them an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, because of M'nasheh the son of Hizkiyahu king of Y'hudah, because of what he did in Yerushalayim. ​
5
"Who will take pity on you, Yerushalayim? Who will grieve for you? Who will turn aside to ask about your welfare?
6
You have rejected me," says ADONAI. "You are heading backward. So I am stretching out my hand against you; tired of sparing you, I am destroying you. ​
7
With a winnowing fork I am scattering them to the wind at the gates of the land; I am bereaving them, destroying my people, because they will not return from their ways.
8
Their widows increase in number more than the sand of the seas; At midday I am bringing the destroyer on the mothers of young men, causing anguish and terror suddenly to fall upon her.
9
The mother of seven sons grows faint, panting in despair; her sun has gone down while it's still daytime; she is left disgraced and bewildered. And the rest of them I will give to the sword, to their enemies," says ADONAI.

Jeremiah Laments His Calling

10
Woe to me, mother, that you gave me birth, a man who is the object of strife and controversy throughout the land! I neither lend nor borrow, yet all of them curse me. ​
11
ADONAI said, "I promise to release you for good, I promise to make your enemies appeal to you when calamity and trouble come. ​
12
"Can iron break iron and bronze from the north? ​
13
I will give away your wealth and your treasures as plunder, and you will not be paid for them, because of all your sins throughout your territory;
14
and I will make you pass together with your enemies into a land you do not know. For my anger has become a blazing fire, and it will flare up against you."

Jeremiah Prays and Questions God

15
ADONAI, you know. Remember me, think of me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors. Because you are patient, don't banish me; know that for your sake I suffer insults. ​
16
When I found your words, I devoured them; your words made me glad, they gave me joy; because, ADONAI-Tzva'ot, you had me bear your name. ​
17
I have never kept company with merrymakers, I could not celebrate; with your hand on me I sat by myself, for you filled me with indignation. ​
18
Why is my pain unending, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be for me like a deceptive vadi, which is only sometimes filled with water? ​

The Lord Reaffirms Jeremiah’s Mission

19
This is ADONAI's answer: "If you return - if I bring you back you will stand before me. If you separate the precious from the base, you will be my spokesman. It will then be they who turn to you, not you who turn to them. ​
20
Toward this people I will make you a fortified wall of bronze they will fight against you but not prevail against you; for I am with you to save you and rescue you," says ADONAI. ​
21
"I will free you from the grasp of the wicked and redeem you from the clutches 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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