Jeremiah 15

In Jeremiah 15, God responds to Jeremiah’s intercession on behalf of Judah, declaring that even the intervention of Moses and Samuel would not avert His judgment due to their persistent sins. The chapter illustrates the intense consequences that would come upon the people, including death, sword, famine, and captivity. Jeremiah expresses deep sorrow over his prophetic role and the people's rejection of his message, to which God assures him of continued support if he faithfully conveys His words.

Jeremiah 15:1-10 (NKJV)
1 Then the Lord said to me, “Even if Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My mind would not be favorable toward this people. Cast them out of My sight, and let them go forth.
2 And it shall be, if they say to you, ‘Where should we go?’ then you shall tell them, ‘Thus says 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 forms of destruction,” says the Lord: “the sword to slay, the dogs to drag, the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.
4 I will hand them over to trouble, to all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, for what he did in Jerusalem.
5 “For who will have pity on you, O Jerusalem? Or who will bemoan you? Or who will turn aside to ask how you are doing?
6 You have forsaken Me,” says the Lord, “You have gone backward. Therefore I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you; I am weary of relenting!
7 And I will winnow them with a winnowing fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children; I will destroy My people, since they do not return from their ways.
8 Their widows will be increased to Me more than the sand of the seas; I will bring against them, against the mother of the young men, a plunderer at noonday; I will cause anguish and terror to fall on them suddenly.
9 She languishes who has borne seven; she has breathed her last; her sun has gone down while it was yet day; she has been shamed and confounded. And the remnant of them I will deliver 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 neither lent for interest, nor have men lent to me for interest. Every one of them curses me.

God tells Jeremiah that even the intercession of great leaders like Moses and Samuel could not turn away His judgment from Judah due to their persistent sin. The people are given over to four forms of destruction: the sword, death, famine, and captivity. God recalls the idolatrous acts under King Manasseh that led to this decree. The judgment is harsh, with widowhood and anguish increasing throughout Jerusalem. Even as Jeremiah mourns his position as a prophet who receives nothing but hostility, God’s unyielding stance highlights the gravity of their sin and the futility of Jeremiah’s plea for mercy.

Jeremiah 15:11-14 (NKJV)
11 The Lord said: “Surely it will be well with your remnant; surely I will cause the enemy to intercede with you in the time of adversity and in the time of affliction.
12 Can anyone break iron, the northern iron and the bronze?
13 Your wealth and your treasures I will give as plunder without price, because of all your sins, throughout your territories.
14 And I will make you cross over with your enemies into a land which you do not know; for a fire is kindled in My anger, which shall burn upon you.”

God assures Jeremiah that a remnant will eventually be preserved and that the enemy may show compassion when Judah faces adversity. He poses a rhetorical question about breaking iron, symbolizing the strength of the northern invaders (likely Babylon) who are unbreakable. Judah’s wealth will be lost, taken as spoils without any monetary exchange, as a consequence of pervasive sin. The people will be exiled to a foreign land, driven there by God’s fierce anger as punishment for their waywardness.

Jeremiah 15:15-18 (NKJV)
15 O Lord, You know; remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In Your enduring patience, do not take me away. Know that for Your sake I have suffered rebuke.
16 Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.
17 I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, nor did I 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 surely be to me like an unreliable stream, as waters that fail?

Jeremiah pleads for God’s help, feeling overwhelmed by persecution. He reminds God that he took joy in His words, embracing his calling, even though it brought isolation and suffering. Jeremiah describes his role as solitary and painful, leading him to question why his affliction seems unending. He feels abandoned and wonders if God, who had always been his source of life, is now like a dried-up spring, offering no relief in his distress.

Jeremiah 15:19-21 (NKJV)
19 Therefore thus says the Lord: “If you return, then I will bring you back; you shall stand before Me; if you take out the precious from the vile, you shall be as My mouth. Let them return to you, but you must not return to them.
20 And I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall; and they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you; for I am with you to save you and deliver you,” says the Lord.
21 “I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible.”

God responds with encouragement, promising Jeremiah a restored purpose if he remains faithful to deliver pure words. He is to stand firm, separating the precious truth from the vile corruption around him, drawing people to God rather than conforming to them. God reassures Jeremiah of His protective presence, making him like an unbreakable bronze wall against opposition. God’s commitment to deliver and redeem him stands firm, giving Jeremiah the assurance of divine support despite the challenges ahead.