Read Jeremiah 15
15 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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
Go Deeper
This chapter continues Jeremiah’s prophecy regarding the punishment and destruction of the people of Judah. It can be exhausting to dwell for so many days in these prophecies outlining the destruction which will come upon these people. However, if we move slowly and deliberately, we can see significant aspects of God’s character revealed through His prophet Jeremiah. In verse 6, God says “I am tired of holding back”. This is translated in the NASB as “I am tired of relenting”. In this verse we get an intimate glimpse from the Lord revealing His approach towards those who “reject Him” and “keep on backsliding” (v. 6).
Over the centuries, God protected His people in Egypt, He provided for them in the desert and He blessed them with the promised land. Countless times during this period the Lord held back His just punishment for these rebellious people, but time and time again His faithfulness was met with continued doubt, rebellion and disobedience. Verse 1 shows us that God has reached the end of His patience with these people, because “even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people”.
Although God has reached the end of His patience at this time, He forgave and “held back” His just wrath for centuries in the face of constant rebellion from His people. If you are one who has walked in steadfast and faithful pursuit of God and His holiness, it may be difficult for you to share this patience with those who seem to only disobey the Lord. We must remind ourselves that God is our example and one aspect of His perfect character is that “the Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (1 Peter 3:9 emphasis added).
In the midst of your frustration with the seeming prosperity of those who turn their face from God, remember that if it were not for His gracious patience with sinners we would surely have been destroyed in the midst of our “transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world” (Ephesians 2:1-2).
Questions
- Does your character reflect the patience of God?
- What can you change in your life to more align with the patience of God?
- Set aside 5 minutes today to spend time in prayer thanking God for His patience with you in your sin.
By the Way
The Lord gives us a very practical next step in 2 Timothy 2:24-26:
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
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5 thoughts on “Jeremiah 15”
I love verse 16 in the KJ version: 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.
Too often I forget that God’s Word is a joy and rejoicing.
When reading books of scripture like Jeremiah that are wearisome, it’s helpful to remember that God’s word is “a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path” (Ps. 119:105). His word illuminates truth to us and gives us the capacity through the Holy Spirit to understand it. Now it’s our duty to follow the lighted path that leads to holiness, living unhindered by the darkness & evil that surrounds us. I’m encouraged by the depth of the relationship Jeremiah experienced with God, in that he felt confident to bring his anger, fear and hurt straight to the One who knew him best. God would reaffirm, remind and realign his purposes to fit the calling on Jeremiah’s life. What a treasure to be able to cry out to God, be heard and know that he is with us and for us. On this side of the cross, we can say “If things are not good, God is not done” something Jeremiah needed to hear.
Jeremiah was chosen for this time. God knew he would be faithful to him through all the hardships and disappointments that were coming his way. God knows what trials you have had and will have. I cannot imagine Jeremiah’s thoughts, anger, discouragement, disappointment, heartache and struggle. BUT GOD gave him words of encouragement even though Jeremiah was ready to give up. This should give us encouragement as well. Yes, life throws us stumbling blocks. Yes, I have been very angry with God, but it was because “I” did not think He did right in my eyes. HUM?!!! Recently I have been disappointed in how God is not answering a prayer request for getting my son back on the right track, His track in my “timing” I realized that God has a plan for my son that is greater than me. I will pray that I get to see him as the prodigal son to come home BUT GOD has him now. I pray but in my heart, my son, is God’s and God’s only, I can not change him. That has been hard (about a years time) to give up my rights as the “Mom” to give him to God completely. Remember God knows already and He is willing to take the anger and disappointment directed at Him and show you how to resolve it. We just have to be willing to be teachable. God’s hope and protection are ready at all times. Eph 1: 18 your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is He is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for His called. Jeremiah 15:20-21 I will make you like a solid bronze wall as far as they are concerned. They will fight against you, but they will not defeat you. I will be with you to protect you and keep you safe. 21 I will rescue you from the power of wicked and violent people. I, the LORD, have spoken.”
BUT YOU GOD are my protection as I traverse this life. God I am so thankful for coming into a greater knowledge of You, my life with You and how I can give myself more fully to Your will for me. So some of the paths have been hard BUT GOD You have helped me wrangle my fears, my doubts, my anger and disappointments and will continue to be my help in this world until I am with You. God thank You for giving me such a delightful, giddy joy that makes me want to shout WOOHOO!! and cry all at the same time. I give You this day, these minutes to show me with Your love goggles how I can be of service to You. Thank You for ears to hear Your sweet tender voice over the noise here. God I give You my praise, honor, glory, worship, thanksgiving, delight, joy and at this moment as much as I can comprehend my heart to serve You today with effervescing love in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeremiah cried out to God to remember him and give him help. The same enemy would like to present thoughts into our minds that would cause us to doubt God. We need to realize that God’s ways are not our ways and remind ourselves that He is in control. Lord, may I have undoubted faithfulness in You for Your glory. Let my heart be a reflection of Your grace and love. In Jesus name, Amen.
19 “if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
you will be my spokesman.”
I’m going to have to work on that!