Judgment on Judah and Strength for Jeremiah

15:1 Then the Lord said to me, “Even if Moses and Samuel stood before me pleading for these people, I would not feel pity for them! Get them away from me! Tell them to go away! 15:2 If they ask you, ‘Where should we go?’ tell them the Lord says this: “Those who are destined to die of disease will go to death by disease. Those who are destined to die in war will go to death in war. Those who are destined to die of starvation will go to death by starvation. Those who are destined to go into exile will go into exile.” 15:3 “I will punish them in four different ways: I will have war kill them. I will have dogs drag off their dead bodies. I will have birds and wild beasts devour and destroy their corpses. 15:4 I will make all the people in all the kingdoms of the world horrified at what has happened to them because of what Hezekiah’s son Manasseh, king of Judah, did in Jerusalem.” 15:5 The Lord cried out, “Who in the world will have pity on you, Jerusalem? Who will grieve over you? Who will stop long enough to inquire about how you are doing? 15:6 I, the Lord, say: ‘You people have deserted me! You keep turning your back on me.’ So I have unleashed my power against you and have begun to destroy you. I have grown tired of feeling sorry for you!” 15:7 The Lord continued, “In every town in the land I will purge them like straw blown away by the wind. I will destroy my people. I will kill off their children. I will do so because they did not change their behavior. 15:8 Their widows will become in my sight more numerous than the grains of sand on the seashores. At noontime I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of their young men. I will cause anguish and terror to fall suddenly upon them. 15:9 The mother who had seven children will grow faint. All the breath will go out of her. Her pride and joy will be taken from her in the prime of their life. It will seem as if the sun had set while it was still day. She will suffer shame and humiliation. I will cause any of them who are still left alive to be killed in war by the onslaughts of their enemies,” says the Lord. Jeremiah Complains about His Lot and The Lord Responds 15:10 I said, “Oh, mother, how I regret that you ever gave birth to me! I am always starting arguments and quarrels with the people of this land. I have not lent money to anyone and I have not borrowed from anyone. Yet all of these people are treating me with contempt.” 15:11 The Lord said, “Jerusalem, I will surely send you away for your own good. I will surely bring the enemy upon you in a time of trouble and distress. 15:12 Can you people who are like iron and bronze break that iron fist from the north? 15:13 I will give away your wealth and your treasures as plunder. I will give it away free of charge for the sins you have committed throughout your land. 15:14 I will make you serve your enemies in a land that you know nothing about. For my anger is like a fire that will burn against you.” 15:15 I said, “Lord, you know how I suffer. Take thought of me and care for me. Pay back for me those who have been persecuting me. Do not be so patient with them that you allow them to kill me. Be mindful of how I have put up with their insults for your sake. 15:16 As your words came to me I drank them in, and they filled my heart with joy and happiness because I belong to you. 15:17 I did not spend my time in the company of other people, laughing and having a good time. I stayed to myself because I felt obligated to you and because I was filled with anger at what they had done. 15:18 Why must I continually suffer such painful anguish? Why must I endure the sting of their insults like an incurable wound? Will you let me down when I need you like a brook one goes to for water, but that cannot be relied on?” 15:19 Because of this, the Lord said, “You must repent of such words and thoughts! If you do, I will restore you to the privilege of serving me. If you say what is worthwhile instead of what is worthless, I will again allow you to be my spokesman. They must become as you have been. You must not become like them. 15:20 I will make you as strong as a wall to these people, a fortified wall of bronze. They will attack you, but they will not be able to overcome you. For I will be with you to rescue you and deliver you,” says the Lord. 15:21 “I will deliver you from the power of the wicked. I will free you from the clutches of violent people.” Jeremiah Forbidden to Marry, to Mourn, or to Feast

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The Lord says Judah’s judgment is now fixed because the people have kept rejecting him. Even great intercessors like Moses and Samuel would not turn it back. Jeremiah then laments his suffering, but the Lord corrects him, renews his calling, and promises to protect him.

This chapter has two main parts. First, God announces certain judgment on Judah. The people have sinned deeply and have not repented. So they will face war, famine, disease, exile, and shame. Their guilt is so great that even the prayer of Moses or Samuel would not stop the sentence.

Second, Jeremiah speaks honestly about his pain. He feels rejected and worn down because he has carried God’s word to people who hate it. The Lord does not remove the burden, but he does correct Jeremiah. Jeremiah must turn back from hopeless speech and keep speaking what is true. God then promises to make him like a bronze wall, strong against attack, because the Lord will be with him and rescue him.

• God is holy and does not excuse stubborn sin.
• Judgment came on Judah because the people would not repent.
• Even powerful intercession cannot overrule settled divine judgment.
• God’s word can bring both joy and hardship to a faithful servant.
• Jeremiah was honest in his grief, but he needed correction.
• The Lord strengthened Jeremiah for a hard calling and promised to protect him.

• Warning: Do not presume on God’s mercy while refusing repentance.
• Warning: Persistent sin brings real judgment, not only private guilt.
• Command: Jeremiah must repent of wrong speech and return to faithful speaking.
• Promise: God will make Jeremiah strong like a bronze wall.
• Promise: The Lord will rescue Jeremiah from violent people.

This passage fits the covenant story of Israel under the law of Moses. Judah is receiving the curses promised for rebellion. Jeremiah’s protected ministry keeps God’s word alive in the middle of judgment and points forward to the larger hope of restoration that will come later in the book.

We should take sin and repentance seriously. We should not think that religious words can cover a rebellious heart. Faithfulness to God may bring opposition, but the Lord can still strengthen his servants to keep speaking the truth.

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