Jeremiah 15:19

Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, [and] thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.

Therefore thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, If thou return {H7725}, then will I bring thee again {H7725}, and thou shalt stand {H5975} before {H6440} me: and if thou take forth {H3318} the precious {H3368} from the vile {H2151}, thou shalt be as my mouth {H6310}: let them return {H7725} unto thee; but return {H7725} not thou unto them.

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.

Therefore this is what the LORD says: โ€œIf 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.

Therefore thus saith Jehovah, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, that thou mayest stand before me; and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: they shall return unto thee, but thou shalt not return unto them.

Commentary

Context

Jeremiah 15:19 comes at a pivotal moment in the prophet Jeremiah's ministry. Having expressed deep despair, lamenting his birth and the opposition he faced (Jeremiah 15:10), and feeling overwhelmed by God's judgment and his own isolation, this verse is the LORD's direct response. It is a divine rebuke, a call to repentance, and a promise of restoration and reaffirmed purpose, contingent on Jeremiah's obedience and spiritual integrity.

Key Themes

  • Divine Restoration and Reinstatement: God assures Jeremiah that if he "returns" (to a state of pure faith and reliance on God, away from his self-pity and doubt), He will "bring thee again" and Jeremiah will "stand before me." This signifies a restoration to divine favor, renewed strength, and a re-establishment of his prophetic authority and intimate relationship with God.
  • Spiritual Discernment and Purity: The crucial condition, "if thou take forth the precious from the vile," emphasizes the necessity of spiritual discernment. Jeremiah, as God's messenger, must distinguish between what is valuable and pure (God's truth, righteous living) and what is worthless and corrupt (human traditions, sinful practices, false prophecies, the people's idolatry). This applies to his message and his personal conduct.
  • Prophetic Authority and Integrity: By fulfilling the condition of purity and discernment, Jeremiah would truly be "as my mouth," a true and uncompromised spokesperson for God. The final command, "let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them," powerfully underscores the prophet's unique role. He is to be a beacon, a standard to which the people should return from their sin, rather than being swayed or corrupted by their ungodly ways. It is a strong warning against spiritual compromise.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "take forth the precious from the vile" (Hebrew: ื™ึธืงึธืจ ืžึดื–ึนึผืœึตืœ, yaqar mizzolel) is highly significant. Yaqar refers to something weighty, costly, or valuable, while zolel denotes something contemptible, worthless, or refuse. This imagery suggests a refining process, a careful sifting, and a commitment to upholding divine standards of truth and purity above all else. To be "as my mouth" means to be a true representative, speaking God's exact words and will, much as God touched Jeremiah's mouth at his initial calling, empowering him for this very task.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 15:19 offers timeless principles for all believers. In moments of discouragement or when facing opposition, God calls us to "return" to Him, repenting of any wavering faith or worldly compromise. The challenge to "take forth the precious from the vile" is a call to constant spiritual discernment in our lives. We must actively choose what aligns with God's truth and righteousness, separating ourselves from harmful influences, worldly values, and impure thoughts or actions. This requires wisdom and a commitment to God's Word (James 1:5). Furthermore, like Jeremiah, we are called to be a distinct people, a light in the darkness, drawing others to God rather than conforming to the world's patterns (Romans 12:2). Our integrity and adherence to God's standards become a testament that can lead others to repentance and restoration.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Zechariah 3:7

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

  • Leviticus 10:10

    And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;

  • Luke 21:15

    For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

  • Ezekiel 44:23

    And they shall teach my people [the difference] between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

  • Ezekiel 22:26

    Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed [difference] between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

  • Jude 1:24

    Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

  • Galatians 1:10

    ยถ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
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