Tyndale Open Study NotesJeremiah 15

The Lord replied to Jeremiah's prayer (Jeremiah 14:19–22) that Judah's destruction could not be avoided.

Moses and Samuel were known for their intercessory prayer. Several times, when they prayed for the rebellious Israelites, the Lord withdrew his threatened punishment (see Exodus 32:11–14; Numbers 14:13–20; 1 Samuel 7:8–10). However, now even their intervention would not have worked.

The people had nowhere to escape from death, war, famine, and captivity.

Judah's turning away from faith began with Manasseh, son of Hezekiah. Manasseh was king from 697 to 642 BC (see 2 Kings 21:1–18; 2 Chronicles 33:1–20).

These are rhetorical questions. The answer is "no one!"

The people heard the accusation that they had abandoned God and turned away from him before (Jeremiah 2:13), but they did not take it seriously. Although the Lord often gave them another chance to repent, their sin provoked him to enforce the curses of the Sinai covenant (Deuteronomy 27:15–26).

Both the old and young men would pass away.

Jeremiah shared his feelings with God about the unfair treatment he faced for delivering God's message. In response, God promised to protect and care for him.

Jeremiah felt deep grief when people hated and cursed him without reason.

The Lord answered Jeremiah's complaint with comfort and explained what would happen soon.

When the people faced trouble and distress, they asked Jeremiah to speak for them.

Iron and bronze symbolize the strong will that the Lord would give to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:18).

It is unclear if the Lord was speaking about Jeremiah's future or Judah's future. If about Jeremiah, this prediction came true after Jerusalem fell in 586 BC, when Jeremiah and Baruch were taken to Egypt against their will (see Jeremiah 41–44). If it refers to Judah's future, the prediction came true with the fall of Jerusalem and the Exile.

Jeremiah's prayer reveals a key moment in his relationship with the Lord. Persecution had weakened him. Jeremiah might have started to think like the rebellious people of Judah.

Jeremiah was happy to share God's word, even though it meant he could not join the joyful feasts of his sinful people. He complained about the unfairness he experienced (Jeremiah 15:18).

Jeremiah asked two rhetorical questions that suggest he should not have to suffer.

The Lord told Jeremiah he needed to make a decision. If Jeremiah chose to serve and submit, the Lord would make him useful again. If Jeremiah spoke words of submission, faith, and obedience, and rejected worthless words (like those of the false prophets, Jeremiah 14:14–16), he could continue as the Lord’s spokesman.

The Lord confirmed the promises he made to Jeremiah when he called him to be a prophet (see Jeremiah 1:18–19).