Jeremiah 15

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The Lord's Negative Response

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1 Then the Lord said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My compassions would not reach out to these people. Send them from My presence, and let them go.

Exodus 32:11-14, 1 Samuel 7:9, Psalm 99:6, Psalm 106:23, Jeremiah 10:18, Jeremiah 52:3, Ezekiel 14:14-20

2 If they ask you, ‘Where will we go?’ you must tell them: This is what the Lord 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.

Ezekiel 5:2. Ezekiel 5:12

3 “I will ordain four kinds of judgment for them”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the land to devour and destroy.

Leviticus 26:16-25, Deuteronomy 28:6, Isaiah 18:6, Ezekiel 14:21

4 I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of Manasseh son of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, for what he did in Jerusalem.

2 Kings 23:26-27, 2 Kings 24:3-4, Jeremiah 24:9, Jeremiah 29:18

5 Who will have pity on you, Jerusalem? Who will show sympathy toward you? Who will turn aside to ask about your welfare?

Psalm 69:20, Jeremiah 13:14

6 You have left Me. This is the Lord’s declaration. You have turned your back, so I have stretched out My hand against you and destroyed you. I am tired of showing compassion.

Zephaniah 1:4

7 I scattered them with a winnowing fork at the gates of the land. I made them childless; I destroyed My people. They would not turn from their ways.

Jeremiah 18:21, Jeremiah 51:2, Hosea 9:12-16

8 I made their widows more numerous than the sand of the seas. I brought a destroyer at noon against the mother of young men. I suddenly released on her agitation and terrors.

Isaiah 3:25, Isaiah 4:1

9 The mother of seven grew faint; she breathed her last breath. Her sun set while it was still day; she was ashamed and humiliated. The rest of them I will give over to the sword in the presence of their enemies.” This is the Lord’s declaration.

1 Samuel 2:5, Isaiah 47:9, Amos 8:9

1 Then the Lord said to me, “Even if Moses and Samuel stood before me pleading for these people, I wouldn’t help them. Away with them! Get them out of my sight!

2 And if they say to you, ‘But where can we go?’ tell them, ‘This is what the Lord says: “‘Those who are destined for death, to death; those who are destined for war, to war; those who are destined for famine, to famine; those who are destined for captivity, to captivity.’

3 “I will send four kinds of destroyers against them,” says the Lord. “I will send the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, the vultures to devour, and the wild animals to finish up what is left.

4 Because of the wicked things Manasseh son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, did in Jerusalem, I will make my people an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.

5 “Who will feel sorry for you, Jerusalem? Who will weep for you? Who will even bother to ask how you are?

6 You have abandoned me and turned your back on me,” says the Lord. “Therefore, I will raise my fist to destroy you. I am tired of always giving you another chance.

7 I will winnow you like grain at the gates of your cities and take away the children you hold dear. I will destroy my own people, because they refuse to change their evil ways.

8 There will be more widows than the grains of sand on the seashore. At noontime I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of young men. I will cause anguish and terror to come upon them suddenly.

9 The mother of seven grows faint and gasps for breath; her sun has gone down while it is still day. She sits childless now, disgraced and humiliated. And I will hand over those who are left to be killed by the enemy. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

1 Then the Lord said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people. Send them away from my presence! Let them go!

2 And if they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ tell them, ‘This is what the Lord says: “‘Those destined for death, to death; those for the sword, to the sword; those for starvation, to starvation; those for captivity, to captivity.’

3 “I will send four kinds of destroyers against them,” declares the Lord, “the sword to kill and the dogs to drag away and the birds and the wild animals to devour and destroy.

4 I will make them abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah king of Judah did in Jerusalem.

5 “Who will have pity on you, Jerusalem? Who will mourn for you? Who will stop to ask how you are?

6 You have rejected me,” declares the Lord. "You keep on backsliding. So I will reach out and destroy you; I am tired of holding back.

7 I will winnow them with a winnowing fork at the city gates of the land. I will bring bereavement and destruction on my people, for they have not changed their ways.

8 I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea. At midday I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of their young men; suddenly I will bring down on them anguish and terror.

9 The mother of seven will grow faint and breathe her last. Her sun will set while it is still day; she will be disgraced and humiliated. I will put the survivors to the sword before their enemies,” declares the Lord.

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.

Jeremiah's Complaint

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10 Woe is me, my mother, that you gave birth to me, a man who incites dispute and conflict in all the land. I did not lend or borrow, yet everyone curses me.

Deuteronomy 23:19, Job 3:3, Jeremiah 1:18-19, Jeremiah 20:7-8, Jeremiah 20:14

10 Then I said, “What sorrow is mine, my mother. Oh, that I had died at birth! I am hated everywhere I go. I am neither a lender who threatens to foreclose nor a borrower who refuses to pay—yet they all curse me.”

10 Alas, my mother, that you gave me birth, a man with whom the whole land strives and contends! I have neither lent nor borrowed, yet everyone curses me.

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.

The Lord's Response

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11 The Lord said: I will certainly set you free and care for you. I will certainly intercede for you in a time of trouble, in your time of distress, with the enemy.

Isaiah 41:10

12 Can anyone smash iron, iron from the north, or bronze?

13 I will give up your wealth and your treasures as plunder, without cost, for all your sins in all your borders.

Jeremiah 17:3

14 Then I will make you serve your enemies in a land you do not know, for My anger will kindle a fire that will burn against you.

Deuteronomy 28:64

11 The Lord replied, “I will take care of you, Jeremiah. Your enemies will ask you to plead on their behalf in times of trouble and distress.

12 Can a man break a bar of iron from the north, or a bar of bronze?

13 At no cost to them, I will hand over your wealth and treasures as plunder to your enemies, for sin runs rampant in your land.

14 I will tell your enemies to take you as captives to a foreign land. For my anger blazes like a fire that will burn forever.

11 The Lord said, “Surely I will deliver you for a good purpose; surely I will make your enemies plead with you in times of disaster and times of distress.

12 “Can a man break iron—iron from the north—or bronze?

13 “Your wealth and your treasures I will give as plunder, without charge, because of all your sins throughout your country.

14 I will enslave you to your enemies in a land you do not know, for my anger will kindle a fire that will burn against you.”

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.

Jeremiah's Prayer for Vengeance

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15 You know, Lord; remember me and take note of me. Avenge me against my persecutors. In Your patience, don’t take me away. Know that I suffer disgrace for Your honor.

16 Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became a delight to me and the joy of my heart, for I am called by Your name, Yahweh God of Hosts.

Job 23:12, Psalm 119:103

17 I never sat with the band of revelers, and I did not celebrate with them. Because Your hand was on me, I sat alone, for You filled me with indignation.

Psalm 102:7, 2 Corinthians 6:17

18 Why has my pain become unending, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You truly have become like a mirage to me—water that is not reliable.

Jeremiah 30:15

15 Then I said, “Lord, you know what’s happening to me. Please step in and help me. Punish my persecutors! Please give me time; don’t let me die young. It’s for your sake that I am suffering.

16 When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.

17 I never joined the people in their merry feasts. I sat alone because your hand was on me. I was filled with indignation at their sins.

18 Why then does my suffering continue? Why is my wound so incurable? Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook, like a spring that has gone dry.”

15 Lord, you understand; remember me and care for me. Avenge me on my persecutors. You are long-suffering—do not take me away; think of how I suffer reproach for your sake.

16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.

17 I never sat in the company of revelers, never made merry with them; I sat alone because your hand was on me and you had filled me with indignation.

18 Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? You are to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails.

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?

Jeremiah Told to Repent

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19 Therefore, this is what the Lord says: If you return, I will restore you; you will stand in My presence. And if you speak noble words, rather than worthless ones, you will be My spokesman. It is they who must return to you; you must not return to them.

Ezekiel 44:23

20 Then I will make you a fortified wall of bronze to this people. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you. This is the Lord’s declaration.

Psalm 46:7, Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 1:8, Jeremiah 1:18-19, Ezekiel 3:9

21 I will deliver you from the power of evil people and redeem you from the control of the ruthless.

Psalm 37:40, Isaiah 49:26, Jeremiah 39:11-12

19 This is how the Lord responds: "If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you!

20 They will fight against you like an attacking army, but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze. They will not conquer you, for I am with you to protect and rescue you. I, the Lord, have spoken!

21 Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men. I will rescue you from their cruel hands.”

19 Therefore this is what the Lord says: “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.

20 I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you,” declares the Lord.

21 “I will save you from the hands of the wicked and deliver you from the grasp of the cruel.”

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.

Study Notes

Study Notes - Jeremiah 15:1

Moses and Samuel were two of God's greatest prophets. Like Jeremiah, both interceded for the people before God (Exodus 32:11, Numbers 14:11-20, 1 Samuel 7:9, 1 Samuel 12:17, Psalm 99:6). Intercession is often effective. In this case, however, the people were so wicked and stubborn that God knew they would not return to Him.

Study Notes - Jeremiah 15:3-4

1. The goal of these destroyers was to wipe out the living and devour the dead. This would happen because of Manasseh's evil reign and the people's sin (2 Kings 21:1-16, 2 Kings 23:26, 2 Kings 24:3).
2. The destruction would be complete. The people may have argued that they should not be held responsible for Manasseh's sins, but they were continuing what Manasseh had begun. If we knowingly and willingly follow corrupt leaders, we can't excuse ourselves by blaming their bad example.

Study Notes - Jeremiah 15:15

Jeremiah is known among the prophets for being uniquely vulnerable with his emotions before God. In this section, Jeremiah is complaining to God about the distressing situation in which he finds himself - his people want to kill him (Jeremiah 11:18-23), and they're ignoring God's messages through him. The Lord promises to take care of Jeremiah, yet the prophet continues to complain. When we feel depressed or discouraged, it is easy to ignore the ways that God cares for us and promises to be faithful to us. But just as God continued to respond to Jeremiah with reassurances of His rescue and protection, God will always be with us when we feel despair (Jeremiah 15:19-21).

Study Notes - Jeremiah 15:16

Jeremiah filled himself with God's words. He pored over them and internalized their meaning. If we love and treasure God's Word, we should read and study it diligently. We should not give the Bible a quick once-over; we should really dig into the Scriptures, study them carefully, inwardly digest them, and let them change our lives. In God's Word, we find the kind of wisdom that leads to real and lasting joy.

Study Notes - Jeremiah 15:17-21

Jeremiah cursed God for not helping him when he really needed it. Jeremiah had taken his eyes off God's purposes and was feeling sorry for himself. He was angry, hurt, and afraid. In response, God didn't get angry at Jeremiah; He answered by rearranging Jeremiah's priorities. As God's mouthpiece, Jeremiah's role was to influence the people, not let them influence him.

There are three important lessons for all leaders in this passage:

1. In prayer, we can reveal our deepest thoughts to God;
2. God expects us to trust Him no matter what; and
3. We are here to influence others for God, not be influenced by them.

Cross-References

1. Jeremiah 15:2-3 >> Jeremiah 16:4
2. Jeremiah 15:3 >> Jeremiah 12:9
3. Jeremiah 15:8 >> Jeremiah 16:3
4. Jeremiah 15:14 >> Jeremiah 16:13
5. Jeremiah 15:16 >> Jeremiah 14:9
6. Jeremiah 15:17 >> Jeremiah 16:8

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