1
The LORD said to me:
“Even if Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My heart would not turn toward this people.
Cast them out from before Me; let them go!
2
And when they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ then you shall answer them:
Thus says the LORD:
Those for death, to death!
Those for the sword, to the sword!
Those for famine, to famine!
And those for captivity, to captivity!
3
I will appoint over them four kinds of judgment, declares the LORD:
the sword to kill,
dogs to drag away,
and the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth
to devour and destroy.
4
I will make them a horror 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, O Jerusalem,
and who will mourn for you?
Who will turn aside to ask how you are?
6
You have rejected Me,
declares the LORD;
you have gone away from Me.
So I have stretched out My hand against you and destroyed you;
I am weary of relenting.
7
I have winnowed them with a winnowing fork in the gates of the land;
I have bereaved My people and destroyed them,
because they did not turn from their ways.
8
I have made their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea.
I have brought against the mother of young men a destroyer at noonday.
Suddenly I have caused anguish and terror to fall upon them.
9
She who had borne seven languishes;
she breathes her last;
her sun has gone down while it is yet day;
she is ashamed and confounded.
Their remnant I will give to the sword
before their enemies, declares the LORD.”
10
Woe is me, my mother, that you bore me,
a man of strife
and a man of contention for the whole land!
I have not lent to anyone,
nor have men lent to me,
yet all of them curse me.
11
Truly, O LORD, I have served You well,
and I have pleaded the cause of my adversary before You
in the time of his trouble and distress!
12
Can one break iron,
iron from the north, and bronze?
13
Your wealth and your treasures
I will give as plunder,
without price,
because of all your sins
throughout all your borders.
14
I will make you serve your enemies
in a land you do not know,
for in My anger a fire has been kindled
that shall burn upon you.”
15
You know it;
yes, O LORD, remember me and attend to me,
carry out vengeance for me against those who pursue me.
Do not let me be taken away, because of Your longsuffering;
know how I bear reproach for Your sake!
16
When Your words were found, I ate them;
Your word became for me a joy,
and the delight of my heart;
for Your name has been called upon me,
O LORD, God of hosts.
17
I did not sit in the company of those who make merry,
nor rejoice;
because of the pressure of Your hand upon me I sat alone,
for You had filled me with indignation.
18
Why is my pain unending,
and my wound severe, beyond healing?
Truly, You are to me like a deceitful stream,
waters that cannot be trusted.
19
Therefore thus says the LORD:
“If you return,
then I will restore you
to stand before Me,
and if you speak what is precious and not base,
then you shall be as My mouth.
Though they may turn back to you,
you must not turn back to them.
20
And I will make you to this people
a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you,
but they shall not prevail over you,
for I am with you
to save you and deliver you,
declares the LORD.
21
I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked
and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”
⚔️🔥😭 Summary of Jeremiah 15 – Inevitable Judgment & the Prophet’s Suffering
Jeremiah 15 is a continuation of God’s rejection of the people of Judah, who kept rebelling. Even if Moses and Samuel were to pray for this nation, God still declares that judgment cannot be avoided. Jeremiah says that death, famine, the sword, and captivity will destroy the stubborn people. This chapter also records Jeremiah’s personal sorrow as a faithful prophet who must bear exile, suffering, and rejection. At the end, Jeremiah pours out his heart to God, and God affirms: do not turn back — remain faithful, and I will be with you.
📌 1. Even Moses & Samuel Could Not Help (verses 1–4)
“Even if Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My heart would not be moved…”
➡️ God makes clear that judgment on Judah cannot be revoked, because they have gone beyond the limit of sin.
🎯 There comes a point when intercessory prayer is no longer effective if the people refuse to repent.
📌 2. Four Kinds of Punishment (verses 2–4)
“Those appointed for death, to death…”
➡️ The Lord determined their fate: death by the sword, famine, wild beasts, and exile — all would come to pass.
🎯 National sin brings national consequences that are truly dreadful.
📌 3. No Mercy for Jerusalem (verses 5–9)
“Who will have pity on you, O Jerusalem?”
➡️ The Lord describes a city that will be abandoned, full of loss, lamentation, and ruin.
🎯 When grace is persistently rejected, God’s justice takes over.
📌 4. Jeremiah Laments Because of His Suffering (verses 10–14)
“Woe is me, my mother, that you bore me…”
➡️ Jeremiah is sorrowful and despairing because he is rejected by everyone, though he is innocent.
🎯 A true servant of God may sometimes feel utterly alone — yet God knows and still holds all things in His hand.
📌 5. God’s Promise of Protection for Jeremiah (verses 15–21)
“I will make you a fortified wall of bronze…”
➡️ God does not promise an easy life, but He assures strength and protection for Jeremiah if he remains faithful.
🎯 God refines His servant through suffering, yet also strengthens and accompanies him to the end.
📖 Main Teaching
- There is a time limit for repentance — persistent rejection brings God’s wrath
- A prophet’s godliness cannot save a people who reject God
- A true prophet will experience suffering, rejection, even despair
- God does not always remove suffering, but He accompanies and strengthens His servant
- Faithfulness to God is far more valuable than human acceptance
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 Hebrews 10:26–27
“For if we go on sinning deliberately… there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…”
➡️ As with the people of Judah who repeatedly refused, deliberate and continual sin brings certain wrath.
📖 Matthew 5:10–12
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness…”
➡️ Jeremiah is a picture of the righteous person who suffers for bringing the word of the Lord.
📖 2 Corinthians 4:8–9
“In every way we are afflicted, yet not crushed…”
➡️ Paul experienced something similar to Jeremiah — yet he was still strengthened by the Lord.
📖 Romans 8:38–39
“Nothing can separate us from the love of God…”
➡️ Even though the suffering was severe, Jeremiah remained in the grasp of God’s love and protection.
🕊️ “Even if Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My heart would not be moved…” – Jeremiah 15:1
🕊️ “Those appointed for death will die…” – Jeremiah 15:2
🕊️ “Woe to me, my mother, because you gave birth to me…” – Jeremiah 15:10
🕊️ “I will make you a wall of bronze…” – Jeremiah 15:20
