Jeremiah Chapter 15

From The Open Bible Project

15:1 Then said Yahweh to me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind would not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.

• (a) Meaning that if there were any man living moved with so great zeal toward the people as were these two, yet he would not grant this request, as he had determined the contrary, (Ezekiel 14:14).

15:2 It shall happen, when they tell you, Where shall we go forth? Then you shall tell them, Thus says Yahweh: 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 captivity, to captivity.

15:3 I will appoint over them four kinds, says Yahweh: the sword to kill, and the dogs to tear, and the birds of the sky, and the animals of the earth, to devour and to destroy.

• (b) The dogs, birds and beasts would devour them that were slain.

15:4 I will cause them to be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.

• (c) The word signifies to run to and fro for fear and unquietness of conscience as Cain did.
• (d) Not that the people were punished for the king’s sin only, but for their own sins also, because they consented to his wickedness.

15:5 For who will have pity on you, Jerusalem? or who will bemoan you? or who will turn aside to ask of your welfare?

15:6 You have rejected me, says Yahweh, you have gone backward: therefore have I stretched out my hand against you, and destroyed you; I am weary with repenting.

• (e) That is, I will not call back my plagues or spare you any more.

15:7 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.

• (f) Meaning, the cities.

15:8 Their widows are increased to me above 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.

• (g) Because I had slain their husbands.

15:9 She who has borne seven languishes; she has given up the spirit; her sun is gone down while it was yet day; she has been disappointed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, says Yahweh.

• (h) She who had many lost all her children.
• (i) She was destroyed in the midst of her prosperity.

15:10 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] everyone of them does curse me.

• (k) By these are the prophet’s words, complaining of the obstinacy of the people and that he was reserved to so wicked a time: in which also he shows what is the condition of God’s ministers, that is, to have all the world against them, though they give no opportunity.
• (l) Which is an opportunity for contention and hatred.

15:11 Yahweh 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.

• (m) In this perplexity the Lord comforted me, and said that my last days would be quiet: and by the enemy he means here Nebuzaradan the captain of Nebuchadnezzar, who gave Jeremiah the choice either to remain in his country or to go where he would; or by the enemy he means the Jews, who would later know Jeremiah’s faithfulness, and therefore favour him.

15:12 Can one break iron, even iron from the north, and brass?

• (n) As for the people, though they seemed strong as iron, yet they would not be able to resist the hard iron of Babylon, but would be led captives.

15:13 Your substance and your treasures will I give for a spoil without price, and that for all your sins, even in all your borders.

15:14 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 shall burn on you.

15:15 Yahweh, you know; remember me, and visit me, and avenge me of my persecutors; don't take me away in your longsuffering: know that for your sake I have suffered reproach.

• (o) He does not speak this out of a desire for revenge, but wishing that God would deliver his Church from them who he knew to be hardened and incorrigible.

15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them; and your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by your name, Yahweh, God of Armies.

• (p) I received them with a great joy, as he that is famished eats meat.

15:17 I didn't sit in the assembly of those who make merry, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of your hand; for you have filled me with indignation.

• (q) I had nothing to do with the wicked contemners of your word, but lamented bitterly for your plagues: showing what the faithful should do when they see tokens of God’s anger.

15:18 Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuses to be healed? will you indeed be to me as a deceitful [brook], as waters that fail?

• (r) And have not assisted me according to the promise? In which it appears that in the saints of God is imperfection of faith, which through impatience is often assailed as in (Jeremiah 20:7).

15:19 Therefore thus says Yahweh, If you return, then will I bring you again, that you may stand before me; and if you take forth the precious from the vile, you shall be as my mouth: they shall return to you, but you shall not return to them.

• (s) If you forget these carnal considerations and faithfully execute your charge.
• (t) That is, seek to win the good from the bad.
• (u) That is, as my mouth has pronounced, (Jeremiah 1:18) and as here follows in (Jeremiah 15 :20).
• (x) Do not conform yourself to their wickedness, but let them follow your godly example.

15:20 I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall; and they shall fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you; for I am with you to save you and to deliver you, says Yahweh.

• (y) I will teach you with an invincible strength and constancy, so that all the powers of the world will not overcome you.

15:21 I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you out of the hand of the terrible.