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 the LORD said to me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind would not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go out. ​
2
It shall happen, when they tell you, Where shall we go out? Then you shall tell them, Thus says the LORD: Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for captivity, to captivity. ​
3
I will appoint over them four kinds, says the LORD: the sword to kill, and the dogs to tear, and the birds of the sky, and the animals of the earth, to devour and to destroy. ​
4
I will cause them to be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem. ​
5
For who will have pity on you, Jerusalem? or who will bemoan you? or who will turn aside to ask of your welfare?
6
You have rejected me, says the LORD, you have gone backward: therefore have I stretched out my hand against you, and destroyed you; I am weary with repenting. ​
7
I have winnowed them with a fan in the gates of the land; I have bereaved them of children, I have destroyed my people; they didn’t return from their ways.
8
Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas; I have brought on them against the mother of the young men a destroyer at noonday: I have caused anguish and terrors to fall on her suddenly.
9
She who has borne seven languishes; she has given up the spirit; her sun is gone down while it was yet day; she has been disappointed and confounded: and their residue will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, says the LORD.

Jeremiah Laments His Calling

10
Woe is me, my mother, that you have borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have not lent, neither have men lent to me; yet everyone of them curses me. ​
11
The LORD said, Most certainly I will strengthen you for good; most certainly I will cause the enemy to make supplication to you in the time of evil and in the time of affliction. ​
12
Can one break iron, even iron from the north, and brass? ​
13
Your substance and your treasures will I give for a plunder without price, and that for all your sins, even in all your borders.
14
I will make them to pass with your enemies into a land which you don’t know; for a fire is kindled in my anger, which shall burn on you.

Jeremiah Prays and Questions God

15
LORD, you know; remember me, and visit me, and avenge me of my persecutors; you are patient, so don’t take me away. Know that for your sake I have suffered reproach. ​
16
Your words were found, and I ate them; and your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by your name, the LORD, God of Hosts. ​
17
I didn’t sit in the assembly of those who make merry, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of your hand; for you have filled me with indignation. ​
18
Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuses to be healed? Will you indeed be to me as a deceitful brook, like waters that fail? ​

The Lord Reaffirms Jeremiah’s Mission

19
Therefore thus says the LORD, If you return, then I will bring you again, that you may stand before me; and if you take out the precious from the vile, you shall be as my mouth: they shall return to you, but you shall not return to them. ​
20
I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall; and they shall fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you; for I am with you to save you and to deliver you, says the LORD. ​
21
I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you out of the hand of the terrible.

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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