Discouraged But Not Forsaken
July 2, 2021
Commentary
The sins of Judah had become so deeply rooted that judgment could no longer be delayed. God told Jeremiah that even if Moses and Samuel stood before Him in prayer, His judgment would still come upon the nation (v. 1). The people had passed the point of repentance because they continually rejected God’s warnings. Destruction and captivity would come as a result of their rebellion (vv. 2–4). Much of this wickedness began during the reign of King Manasseh, who led the people into great idolatry and sin. Their rebellion grieved God’s heart.
Jeremiah looked upon the people with sorrow and compassion because no one seemed to care about their spiritual condition (vv. 5–7). God had cared for them faithfully, but they continually rejected Him. Therefore, judgment would bring suffering and sorrow throughout the land (vv. 8–9). This heavy message caused Jeremiah to become discouraged (v. 10). Yet God had not abandoned him. The Lord assured Jeremiah that good would eventually come from these difficult trials (v. 11). God reminded the people that they would not be able to resist the coming Babylonian invasion (vv. 12–14). God’s discipline revealed both His justice and desire for repentance from sinful people.
Jeremiah then poured out his pain and frustration before God (vv. 15–18). He felt hurt, lonely, and weary because of the opposition he faced. Yet God responded by correcting Jeremiah’s attitude and reminding him to remain faithful (vv. 19–21). Jeremiah was not to allow the people to influence him away from God’s truth. Instead, he was to continue speaking God’s Word faithfully. It reminds us that even faithful servants of God may become discouraged, yet God does not forsake them and continues to help them through every trial.
Application
Do I ignore God’s warnings while continuing in sinful habits today? Am I allowing discouragement to weaken my faith and obedience? Do I trust God even during painful trials and difficult seasons? Am I listening to God’s truth instead of following worldly influences? Will I remain faithful and continue serving God when hardship comes?
Jeremiah 15:1–21 (NET)
1 Then the Lord said to me, “Even if Moses and Samuel stood before me pleading for these people, I would not feel pity for them! Get them away from me! Tell them to go away! 2 If they ask you, ‘Where should we go?’ tell them the Lord says this: “Those who are destined to die of disease will go to death by disease. Those who are destined to die in war will go to death in war. Those who are destined to die of starvation will go to death by starvation. Those who are destined to go into exile will go into exile.
3 “I will punish them in four different ways: I will have war kill them; I will have dogs drag off their dead bodies; I will have birds and wild beasts devour and destroy their corpses. 4 I will make all the people in all the kingdoms of the world horrified at what has happened to them because of what Hezekiah’s son Manasseh, king of Judah, did in Jerusalem.”
5 The Lord cried out, “Who in the world will have pity on you, Jerusalem? Who will grieve over you? Who will stop long enough to inquire about how you are doing?
6 I, the Lord, say: ‘You people have deserted me; you keep turning your back on me.’ So I have unleashed my power against you and have begun to destroy you. I have grown tired of feeling sorry for you!”
7 The Lord continued, “In every town in the land I will purge them like straw blown away by the wind. I will destroy my people. I will kill off their children. I will do so because they did not change their behavior.
8 Their widows will become in my sight more numerous than the grains of sand on the seashores. At noontime I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of their young men. I will cause anguish and terror to fall suddenly upon them.
9 The mother who had seven children will grow faint. All the breath will go out of her. Her pride and joy will be taken from her in the prime of their life. It will seem as if the sun had set while it was still day. She will suffer shame and humiliation. I will cause any of them who are still left alive to be killed in war by the onslaughts of their enemies,” says the Lord.
10 I said, “Oh, mother, how I regret that you ever gave birth to me! I am always starting arguments and quarrels with the people of this land. I have not lent money to anyone and I have not borrowed from anyone. Yet all these people are treating me with contempt.”
11 The Lord said, “Jerusalem, I will surely send you away for your own good. I will surely bring the enemy upon you in a time of trouble and distress.
12 Can you people who are like iron and bronze break that iron fist from the north?
13 I will give away your wealth and your treasures as plunder. I will give it away free of charge for the sins you have committed throughout your land.
14 I will make you serve your enemies in a land that you know nothing about. For my anger is like a fire that will burn against you.”
15 I said, “Lord, you know how I suffer. Take thought of me and care for me. Pay back for me those who have been persecuting me. Do not be so patient with them that you allow them to kill me. Be mindful of how I have put up with their insults for your sake.
16 As your words came to me I drank them in, and they filled my heart with joy and happiness because I belong to you, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.
17 I did not spend my time in the company of other people, laughing and having a good time. I stayed to myself because I felt obligated to you and because I was filled with anger at what they had done.
18 Why must I continually suffer such painful anguish? Why must I endure the sting of their insults like an incurable wound? Will you let me down when I need you, like a brook one goes to for water, but that cannot be relied on?”
19 Because of this, the Lord said, “You must repent of such words and thoughts! If you do, I will restore you to the privilege of serving me. If you say what is worthwhile instead of what is worthless, I will again allow you to be my spokesman. They must become as you have been. You must not become like them.
20 I will make you as strong as a wall to these people, a fortified wall of bronze. They will attack you, but they will not be able to overcome you. For I will be with you to rescue you and deliver you,” says the Lord.
21 “I will deliver you from the power of the wicked. I will free you from the clutches of violent people.”
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