[Preliminary
Comment: In the first Part [v.1-14] the prophecy clearly
denounces the people and says there is no hope for them because
of their intransigence. From verse 10 until the second Part (v.15-18]
there is a transition where Jeremiah starts expressing concern
for himself which is fully expressed in that second Part. In the
final Part [v.19-21] the Lord chides him and counsels him to remain
faithful to his ministry as He continues to strengthen him against
the others.]
Part
1: v.1-14: The Lord's Rejection of this People
v.1
The Lord refuses to listen to this people
v.1
Then the Lord
said to me:
‘Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would
not go out to this people. Send them away from my presence! Let
them go!
v.2
Death will come to them in a variety of ways
v.2
And
if they ask you, “Where shall we go?” tell them, “This is what
the Lord
says:
‘“Those
destined for death, to death;
those for the sword, to the sword;
those for starvation, to starvation;
those for captivity, to captivity.”
v.3
There will be various bringers of this death
v.3
‘I
will send four kinds of destroyers against them,' declares the
Lord ,
‘the sword to kill and the dogs to drag away and the birds and
the wild animals to devour and destroy.
v.4
The land and people has never fully recovered after Manasseh
v.4
I
will make them abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth because
of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah king of Judah did in Jerusalem.
[Additional
Comment: The records
in respect of Manasseh [2 Chron 33:1-20 & 2 Kings 21] are
quite remarkable [look up the Introduction to 2 Chron 33] in that
Manasseh did every sort of spiritual evil possible, was taken
into exile in Babylon where he repented and God restored him to
the Land, where he carried our various restoration works but never
fully bringing the people back to the Lord. Amon his son was bad,
Josiah his son was mostly good, but all the remaining kings were
bad and this prophecy must surely come in the reigns of Jehoiakim
or
Zedekiah
(1:3) [or possibly Jehoahaz or
Jehoiachin – the short reigns]. It is clear that even the good
and the restorations under Josiah were not sufficient to wipe
away the sin and its effects of Manasseh in the land.]
v.5
Jerusalem is a place to be pitied
v.5
‘Who
will have pity on you, Jerusalem?
Who will mourn for you?
Who will stop to ask how you are?
v.6
But the fact is they have rejected God and so He rejects them.
v.6
You have rejected me,' declares the Lord.
‘ You keep on backsliding.
So I will reach out and destroy you;
I am tired of holding back.
v.7-9
Destruction will come again and again, taking more and more
v.7
I
will winnow them with a winnowing fork
at the city gates of the land.
I will bring bereavement and destruction on my people,
for they have not changed their ways.
v.8
I
will make their widows more numerous
than the sand of the sea.
At midday I will bring a destroyer
against the mothers of their young men;
suddenly I will bring down on them
anguish and terror.
v.9
The
mother of seven will grow faint
and breathe her last.
Her sun will set while it is still day;
she will be disgraced and humiliated.
I will put the survivors to the sword
before their enemies,'
declares the Lord .
v.10
Jeremiah bewails he is rejected by all
v.10
Alas,
my mother, that you gave me birth,
a man with whom the whole land strives
and contends!
I have neither lent nor borrowed,
yet everyone curses me.
v.11
Fear not Jeremiah, the Lord will uphold you
v.11
The
Lord
said,
‘Surely
I will deliver you for a good purpose;
surely I will make your enemies plead
with you
in times of disaster and times of distress.
v.12-14
None will withstand the iron man from the north who will enslave
all
v.12
‘Can
a man break iron –
iron from the north – or bronze?
v.13
‘Your
wealth and your treasures
I will give as plunder, without charge,
because of all your sins
throughout your country.
v.14
I
will enslave
you to your enemies
in a land you do not know,
for my anger will kindle a fire
that will burn against you.'
Part
2: v.15-18: Jeremiah pleads with the Lord
v.15
Lord, stand up for me against them
v.15
Lord ,
you understand;
remember me and care for me.
Avenge me on my persecutors.
You are long-suffering – do not take me away;
think of how I suffer reproach for your
sake.
v.16
I completely took in you word when it came
v.16
When
your words came, I ate them;
they were my joy and my heart's delight,
for I bear your name,
Lord God Almighty.
v.17
I stood apart from the unrighteous
v.17
I
never sat in the company of revellers,
never made merry with them;
I sat alone because your hand was on me
and you had filled me with indignation.
v.18
So why am I having to endure this anguish
v.18
Why
is my pain unending
and my wound grievous and incurable?
You are to me like a deceptive brook,
like a spring that fails.
Part
3: v.19-21: The Lord's Response
v.19
Have a right heart Jeremiah and I will save and continue to use
you
v.19
Therefore
this is what the Lord
says:
‘If
you repent, I will restore you
that you may serve me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
you will be my spokesman.
Let this people turn to you,
but you must not turn to them.
v.20,21
I will strengthen you to stand against this people
v.20
I
will make you a wall to this people,
a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you
but will not overcome you,
for I am with you
to rescue and save you,'
declares the Lord.
v.21
‘I
will save you from the hands of the wicked
and deliver you from the grasp of the
cruel.'
Continue
to Chapter 16