Jeremiah Chapter 15
1 Then the LORD said to me, "Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind would not turn towards this people. Cast them out of my sight, and let them go out!
2 It will happen, when they ask you, 'Where shall we go out?' then you shall tell them, 'The LORD says: "Such as are for death, to death; such as are for the sword, to the sword; 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, the dogs to tear, 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 amongst 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? Who will mourn you? Who will come to ask of your welfare?
6 You have rejected me," says the LORD. "You have gone backward. Therefore I have stretched out my hand against you and destroyed you. I am weary of showing compassion.
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 more than 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 has gone down while it was yet day. She has been disappointed and confounded. I will deliver their residue to the sword before their enemies," says the LORD.
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 every one 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 bronze?
13 I will give your substance and your treasures 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 will burn on you."
15 LORD, you know. Remember me, 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. Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by your name, the LORD, God of Armies.
17 I didn't sit in the assembly of those who make merry and rejoice. 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?
19 Therefore the LORD says, "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 will be as my mouth. They will return to you, but you will not return to them.
20 I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall. They will fight against you, but they will 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."
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Jeremiah Chapter 15 Guide
To this great appeal Jehovah again replied by declaring mercy to be impossible, and judgment inevitable, and this on account of the sin of Manasseh which had been persisted in, namely, the rejection of Jehovah by the people. Therefore they had been judged, and judgment must be completed.
On hearing this the prophet cried out in great anguish, and Jehovah promised to strengthen him, while reiterating His determination to punish the people.
Once again the prophet replied, first in resignation, and then in prayer on behalf of himself, which ended with a sigh, indicative of the strain being put on his faith. The controversy ends with Jehovah's promise that if Jeremiah would be true to the word of God, God would be to him a defense and a deliverance.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Jeremiah Chapter 15 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The destruction of the wicked described. -- (1-9)
- The prophet laments such messages, and is reproved. -- (10-14)
- He supplicates pardon, and is promised protection. -- (15-21)
Verses 1-9
The Lord declares that even Moses and Samuel must have pleaded in vain. The putting of this as a case, though they should stand before him, shows that they do not, and that saints in heaven do not pray for saints on earth. The Jews were condemned to different kinds of misery by the righteous judgment of God, and the remnant would be driven away, like the chaff, into captivity. Then was the populous city made desolate. Bad examples and misused authority often produce fatal effects, even after men are dead, or have repented of their crimes: this should make all greatly dread being the occasion of sin in others.
Verses 10-14
Jeremiah met with much contempt and reproach, when they ought to have blessed him, and God for him. It is a great and sufficient support to the people of God, that however troublesome their way may be, it shall be well with them in their latter end. God turns to the people. Shall the most hardy and vigorous of their efforts be able to contend with the counsel of God, or with the army of the Chaldeans? Let them hear their doom. The enemy will treat the prophet well. But the people who had great estates would be used hardly. All parts of the country had added to the national guilt; and let each take shame to itself.
Verses 15-21
It is matter of comfort that we have a God, to whose knowledge of all things we may appeal. Jeremiah pleads with God for mercy and relief against his enemies, persecutors, and slanderers. It will be a comfort to God's ministers, when men despise them, if they have the testimony of their own consciences. But he complains, that he found little pleasure in his work. Some good people lose much of the pleasantness of religion by the fretfulness and uneasiness of their natural temper, which they indulge. The Lord called the prophet to cease from his distrust, and to return to his work. If he attended thereto, he might be assured the Lord would deliver him from his enemies. Those who are with God, and faithful to him, he will deliver from trouble or carry through it. Many things appear frightful, which do not at all hurt a real believer in Christ.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.