The Inevitability of God’s Judgment (Jeremiah 15)

Scripture reading – Jeremiah 15

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* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification. 

Jeremiah 15

Consider with me four significant points in our study of Jeremiah 15.

The Revelation: The Judgment of God was Imminent (Jeremiah 15:1-9)

Judah’s wickedness was exceedingly great during the reign of Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son, and the LORD revealed to Jeremiah the certainty of impending judgment.

The LORD warned the nation, “Thou hast forsaken me, saith the Lord, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting. ⁷And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children, I will destroy my people, since they return not from their ways” (Jeremiah 15:6-7). The prophetic portrait depicted national sorrow and distress (Jeremiah 14:8-9).

Jeremiah’s Lament (Jeremiah 15:10-14)  

The prophet’s preaching had borne little fruit, and he found himself the reluctant bearer of news of judgment, which made him the object of scorn. In his sorrow, Jeremiah lamented the day he was born (Jeremiah 15:10).

Yet the LORD assured Jeremiah that He would intercede for him. Eventually, his enemies would come seeking his counsel (Jeremiah 15:11). However, God’s judgment, like iron, would not be broken (Jeremiah 15:12). Judah would be stripped of its wealth (Jeremiah 15:13). God’s wrath for the sins of His people would be expressed in their captivity (Jeremiah 15:14).

Jeremiah Bemoaned His Loneliness (Jeremiah 15:15-18)

Where did Jeremiah turn for comfort and hope? Though he had been scorned and persecuted (Jeremiah 15:15), he sought solace in believing that the LORD would remember, avenge, and favor him (Jeremiah 15:15). He found refuge and hope in God’s promises. Jeremiah prayed, “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” (Jeremiah 15:16).

Jeremiah had followed the pattern of the “blessed” man described in Psalm 1 and had not fellowshipped with the wicked. Jeremiah wrote: “I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation” (Jeremiah 15:17; Psalm 1:1). Yet Jeremiah questioned why his sufferings and disappointments had no end (Jeremiah 15:18).

The LORD’s Loving Exhortation and Assurances (Jeremiah 15:19-21)

Addressing the attitude and outlook of his prophet (Jeremiah 15:19), the LORD assured Jeremiah: “I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD. ²¹ And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible” (Jeremiah 15:20-21).

Closing thought –

What a blessed promise for those who endure persecution and put their trust in the LORD! The righteous who dare speak the Truth in a world that embraces lies will never be accepted or popular. Nevertheless, the calling of believers is to be “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13) and a spiritual light that pierces the darkness (Matthew 5:14-16).

Therefore, let all who love and obey the LORD take solace in the LORD’s assurances to Jeremiah: “I am with thee…I will deliver thee…I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible” (Jeremiah 15:20-21).

In his letter to the church in Corinth, the apostle Paul exhorted believers: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58).

Be Faithful, Trusting the LORD!

Copyright © 2026 – Travis D. Smith 

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