Jeremiah 15:5

Context

Jeremiah 15:5 is a stark declaration of God's severe judgment upon Jerusalem and Judah, delivered through the prophet Jeremiah. This verse comes after God has explicitly stated His unyielding decision to punish the nation for their persistent idolatry, covenant breaking, and rejection of His repeated warnings. Despite Jeremiah's fervent intercession for his people (Jeremiah 15:1), the Lord announces that His patience has run out. Verses 2-4 detail the various forms of destruction awaiting Jerusalem: death by sword, famine, pestilence, and captivity, with the survivors scattered as a "horror to all the kingdoms of the earth." Within this context, verse 5 amplifies the sense of utter desolation by emphasizing that Jerusalem will be completely abandoned, with no one left to show sympathy or concern.

Key Themes

• Divine Judgment and Consequences: This verse powerfully illustrates the severe and inescapable consequences of prolonged national sin and rebellion against God. Jerusalem's suffering is a direct result of their actions, highlighting God's justice in response to unrepentant sin.
• Utter Desolation and Abandonment: The rhetorical questions – "who shall have pity?", "who shall bemoan?", "who shall go aside to ask how thou doest?" – underscore the complete isolation and lack of sympathy Jerusalem will experience. It paints a picture of a city so devastated and despised that no one will even inquire about its well-being, signifying the depth of its fall.
• Finality of God's Decision: The absence of pity or intercession highlights the finality of God's judgment against Jerusalem at this time. Unlike previous instances where intercessors might turn away God's wrath (such as Moses for Israel in Exodus 32:11), here, no one is found to mourn or care, signifying the irreversible nature of the impending doom.

Linguistic Insights

• "Pity" (Hebrew: חמל, chamal): This word denotes showing compassion, sparing, or having mercy. The question "For who shall have pity upon thee?" emphasizes the complete absence of any compassionate intervention for Jerusalem.
• "Bemoan" (Hebrew: נוד, nud): This term means to shake the head in grief, to lament, or to mourn. It conveys a deep sense of sorrow and sympathy, which will be entirely lacking for Jerusalem.
• "Go aside to ask how thou doest" (Hebrew: שאל לשלום, sha'al leshalom): This is a poignant phrase, literally meaning "to ask for peace" or "to inquire about well-being." It signifies a friendly greeting, a concern for someone's welfare, or an act of neighborly kindness. Its absence here underscores the profound neglect and indifference Jerusalem will face from all sides, a stark contrast to the communal bonds expected in society.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 15:5 serves as a solemn reminder of the seriousness of sin and the certainty of God's righteous judgment when His warnings are persistently ignored. It teaches us that while God is incredibly long-suffering and rich in mercy (2 Peter 3:9), there is a point where continued rebellion leads to severe, unavoidable consequences. This verse encourages us to examine our own lives and communities:

• Are we heeding God's word and warnings, or are we stubbornly pursuing our own ways?
• It highlights the importance of repentance and turning back to God before judgment becomes inevitable.
• While focused on judgment, it implicitly points to the value of intercession and compassion, which were so tragically absent for Jerusalem in its darkest hour.

Ultimately, this passage underscores that consequences for disobedience are real and can lead to profound isolation and desolation, serving as a powerful call to humility and obedience to God's will.