Read & explore together
Jeremiah’s Woe
In this passage, Jeremiah speaks with deep pain about being opposed and worn down. The words move between complaint, the Lord’s reply, and Jeremiah’s prayer, showing both judgment and personal struggle.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
These verses come as spoken prophecy and prayer. Jeremiah first laments that he is surrounded by strife and cursing. Yahweh answers with words about strengthening him, while also declaring plunder, sin, enemies, and burning anger. Jeremiah then asks to be remembered and describes how God’s words once brought him joy. He ends by asking why his pain continues.
Jeremiah 15:10–18Main takeaway
This passage shows a servant of God speaking honestly about suffering while still addressing the Lord who knows him.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Jeremiah’s cry of troubleJeremiah begins with “Woe is me” and speaks to his mother about being born into strife and contention.
Explanation
Jeremiah begins with “Woe is me” and speaks to his mother about being born into strife and contention. He says people curse him even though he has not been involved in ordinary money disputes such as lending. The complaint highlights how widely opposed he feels.
02The Lord’s answer and coming judgmentYahweh says he will strengthen Jeremiah for good and that an enemy will make supplication in a time of evil and affliction.
Explanation
Yahweh says he will strengthen Jeremiah for good and that an enemy will make supplication in a time of evil and affliction. Then the passage turns to strong images of judgment: iron and bronze, treasures taken as plunder, sins across the borders, and being taken with enemies into an unknown land.
03Jeremiah asks to be rememberedJeremiah answers in prayer, saying, “Yahweh, you know.” He asks the Lord to remember, visit, and avenge him against persecutors.
Explanation
Jeremiah answers in prayer, saying, “Yahweh, you know.” He asks the Lord to remember, visit, and avenge him against persecutors. He says he has suffered reproach for God’s sake. This is not a casual complaint but a direct appeal to the God who knows his situation.
04Joy in God’s words, yet ongoing painJeremiah says God’s words were found and “I ate them”, a vivid way of describing receiving them gladly.
Explanation
Jeremiah says God’s words were found and “I ate them”, a vivid way of describing receiving them gladly. Those words brought joy because he was called by God’s name. Yet he also sat alone under God’s hand and asks why his pain is perpetual, even comparing God to a brook whose waters fail.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reasons does Jeremiah give for feeling unfairly treated?
Look for the contrast between being cursed and not being involved in lending, and also his statement that he has suffered reproach for the Lord’s sake.
02Which parts of the passage speak about judgment beyond Jeremiah’s personal feelings?
Notice the lines about treasures becoming plunder, sins in all the borders, enemies, an unknown land, and burning anger.
03How does Jeremiah describe his relationship to God’s words and his pain in the same passage?
Compare the joy and rejoicing of receiving God’s words with the later questions about perpetual pain and an unhealed wound.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 15:10–18
10Woe is me, my mother, that you have borne me, a man of strife, and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have not lent, neither have men lent to me; yet every one of them curses me.
11Yahweh said, “Most certainly I will strengthen you for good. Most certainly I will cause the enemy to make supplication to you in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.
12Can one break iron, even iron from the north, and bronze?
13I will give your substance and your treasures for a plunder without price, and that for all your sins, even in all your borders.
14I will make them to pass with your enemies into a land which you don’t know; for a fire is kindled in my anger, which will burn on you.”
15Yahweh, you know. Remember me, visit me, and avenge me of my persecutors. You are patient, so don’t take me away. Know that for your sake I have suffered reproach.
16Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by your name, Yahweh, God of Armies.
17I didn’t sit in the assembly of those who make merry and rejoice. I sat alone because of your hand, for you have filled me with indignation.
18Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuses to be healed? Will you indeed be to me as a deceitful brook, like waters that fail?