Jeremiah 15

Jeremiah 15:1

15:1-4 Intercession for the people is useless; they are destined to death, the sword, famine, and captivity. Even prime intercessors like Moses and Samuel couldn’t forestall the judgment. Manasseh was the cause; he had promoted gross forms of idolatry in Jerusalem, including the worship of Molech (see 2Ki_21:1-16). 15:5-9 The pitiable condition of Jerusalem is the result of failure to respond to the chastening of the Lord. A woman with an ideal family would not live to enjoy her children. 15:10-18 Jeremiah is hated by his own people without cause but God promises that he will be vindicated when his adversaries turn to him for help. Judah will not be able to break iron from the north (the Chaldeans). Instead the latter will carry off Judah’s treasures. The prophet is puzzled by his persecution and suffering, especially when he had been so faithful to the Lord. Nevertheless he finds his resource in God’s word, the joy and rejoicing of his heart. 15:19-21 God’s answer is that the prophet has entertained wrong thoughts about Him, and has given expression to these unworthy thoughts from time to time. They must be purged, as one removes vile dross from precious metal. His adversaries might return to him but he must not return to them. G. Campbell Morgan comments: Let him purge his heart of such dross, and devote himself only to the gold of truth about God. So and only so would he be fitted to be as the mouth of God in uttering His messages. God will make the prophet a fortified bronze wall that his oppressors cannot topple. He will deliver and redeem His servant.