Read & explore together
Judgment to Continue
Jeremiah 15:1–9 is a severe prophetic message. It says Yahweh’s judgement on Jerusalem and the people will continue, using stark images to show the consequences of rejecting him.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, Yahweh speaks to Jeremiah about “this people” and Jerusalem. Moses and Samuel are named only to show that even their standing before Yahweh would not turn his mind toward the people. The passage then lists forms of judgement, names Manasseh’s deeds in Jerusalem, and states that the people rejected Yahweh and did not return from their ways.
Jeremiah 15:1–9Main takeaway
This passage teaches that rejection of Yahweh is answered with grave judgement, described here in solemn and distressing language.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01No turning from judgementYahweh tells Jeremiah that even if Moses and Samuel stood before him, his mind would not turn toward this people.
Explanation
Yahweh tells Jeremiah that even if Moses and Samuel stood before him, his mind would not turn toward this people. “Cast them out of my sight” shows rejection rather than protection. The opening makes the message clear from the start: the judgement announced here will continue.
02Appointed outcomes of judgementWhen the people ask where they should go, Jeremiah is to answer with four outcomes: death, sword, famine, and captivity.
Explanation
When the people ask where they should go, Jeremiah is to answer with four outcomes: death, sword, famine, and captivity. Yahweh then names four kinds appointed over them, including the sword and scavenging creatures. These repeated lists make the coming judgement sound widespread, unavoidable, and destructive.
03Cause and lack of pityThe passage says they will be tossed among the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah did in Jerusalem.
Explanation
The passage says they will be tossed among the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah did in Jerusalem. It then asks who will pity or mourn Jerusalem. The questions highlight abandonment and disgrace rather than comfort or recovery.
04Rejected Yahweh and did not returnYahweh gives the reason directly: “You have rejected me” and “You have gone backward.” He says he stretched out his hand against them and was weary of showing compassion.
Explanation
Yahweh gives the reason directly: “You have rejected me” and “You have gone backward.” He says he stretched out his hand against them and was weary of showing compassion. The losses described in the passage are linked with this refusal to return from their ways, followed by images of widows, anguish, ruin, and the sword.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What effect does the mention of Moses and Samuel have at the start of the passage?
It shows that even these named figures would not turn Yahweh’s mind toward “this people” in this passage.
02Which repeated lists show the scale of the coming judgement?
Compare the four outcomes in verse 2 with the four appointed kinds in verse 3.
03What reason does Yahweh give for acting against the people?
Base your answer on the direct statements that they rejected him, went backward, and did not return from their ways.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 15:1–9
1Then Yahweh said to me, “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind would not turn toward this people. Cast them out of my sight, and let them go out!
2It will happen when they ask you, ‘Where shall we go out?’ then you shall tell them, ‘Yahweh says: “Such as are for death, to death; such as are for the sword, to the sword; such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for captivity, to captivity.” ’
3“I will appoint over them four kinds,” says Yahweh: “the sword to kill, the dogs to tear, the birds of the sky, and the animals of the earth, to devour and to destroy.
4I will cause them to be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.
5For who will have pity on you, Jerusalem? Who will mourn you? Who will come to ask of your welfare?
6You have rejected me,” says Yahweh. “You have gone backward. Therefore I have stretched out my hand against you and destroyed you. I am weary of showing compassion.
7I have winnowed them with a fan in the gates of the land. I have bereaved them of children. I have destroyed my people. They didn’t return from their ways.
8Their widows are increased more than the sand of the seas. I have brought on them against the mother of the young men a destroyer at noonday. I have caused anguish and terrors to fall on her suddenly.
9She who has borne seven languishes. She has given up the spirit. Her sun has gone down while it was yet day. She has been disappointed and confounded. I will deliver their residue to the sword before their enemies,” says Yahweh.