1 Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, [yet] my mind [could] not [be] toward this people: cast [them] out of my sight, and let them go forth.
2 And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith 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 the captivity, to the captivity.
3 And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.
4 And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for [that] which he did in Jerusalem.
5 For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall go aside to ask how thou doest?
6 Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.
7 And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave [them] of children, I will destroy my people, [since] they return not from their ways.
8 Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused [him] to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.
9 She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while [it was] yet day: she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.
10 Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; [yet] every one of them doth curse me.
11 The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee [well] in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.
12 Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?
13 Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil without price, and [that] for all thy sins, even in all thy borders.
14 And I will make [thee] to pass with thine enemies into a land [which] thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in mine anger, [which] shall burn upon you.
15 O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.
16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
17 I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.
18 Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, [which] refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, [and as] waters [that] fail?
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.
20 And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I [am] with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
21 And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.
Overview of Jeremiah Chapter 15
Jeremiah Chapter 15 presents a profound exploration of the prophet’s struggles, God’s judgment, and the theme of suffering. The chapter is characterized by a dialogue between God and Jeremiah, revealing the emotional turmoil experienced by the prophet as he grapples with the fate of his people and his own prophetic mission.
Key Themes
- Divine Judgment: The chapter emphasizes God’s impending judgment on Judah for their unfaithfulness and sin.
- Prophetic Suffering: Jeremiah’s personal anguish and the burden of his prophetic role are highlighted throughout the text.
- God’s Sovereignty: Despite the bleak circumstances, God’s ultimate control over history and His plans for His people are affirmed.
- Hope and Restoration: Amidst the despair, there are hints of future restoration for the remnant of Israel.
Structure of the Chapter
- God’s Response to Jeremiah’s Pleas (Verses 1-4):
In these verses, God responds to Jeremiah’s lament about the fate of the people. He declares that even if Moses and Samuel were to intercede on behalf of Judah, He would not listen. This underscores the severity of the people’s sins and the certainty of judgment.
- The Fate of the People (Verses 5-9):
God describes the devastation that will come upon Judah, including the loss of children and the destruction of the land. The imagery used illustrates the depth of sorrow and loss that will be experienced.
- Jeremiah’s Personal Lament (Verses 10-18):
Jeremiah expresses his anguish over his role as a prophet. He feels isolated and misunderstood, lamenting the burden of his message. He questions God about his suffering and the seeming lack of justice.
- God’s Assurance and Commission (Verses 19-21):
God reassures Jeremiah of his role and promises protection. He emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful to his calling, despite the challenges he faces.
Detailed Analysis
God’s Judgment (Verses 1-4)
The chapter opens with a stark declaration from God regarding the unrepentant nature of the people of Judah. The mention of Moses and Samuel, two of the greatest intercessors in Israel’s history, signifies the gravity of the situation. God’s refusal to listen highlights the finality of His judgment and the depth of the people’s sin.
The Fate of the People (Verses 5-9)
God’s description of the impending calamity is vivid and harrowing. The imagery of mothers losing their children and the desolation of the land serves to illustrate the consequences of disobedience. This section emphasizes that the judgment is not arbitrary but a direct result of the people’s actions.
Jeremiah’s Personal Lament (Verses 10-18)
Jeremiah’s lamentation reveals his deep emotional struggle. He feels like a failure and is burdened by the weight of his prophetic message. His questioning of God reflects a common theme in the prophetic literature, where the prophet grapples with the tension between divine justice and human suffering. Jeremiah’s feelings of isolation and despair resonate with anyone who has faced the burden of speaking truth in a hostile environment.
God’s Assurance and Commission (Verses 19-21)
In response to Jeremiah’s lament, God provides reassurance and a renewed commission. He emphasizes the importance of speaking His words faithfully and promises protection. This exchange highlights the relationship between the prophet and God, underscoring the necessity of perseverance in the face of adversity.
Conclusion
Jeremiah Chapter 15 serves as a poignant reflection on the complexities of prophetic ministry, the reality of divine judgment, and the hope of eventual restoration. It encapsulates the struggle between despair and faithfulness, illustrating the profound emotional and spiritual challenges faced by those called to speak on behalf of God.
