.15:10-21.

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Jeremiah’s anguish; God’s comfort (Jer 15:10-21)

The prophet again complains to God because of the unjust treatment he suffers. He has done no harm to the people, and in fact has pleaded on their behalf for God’s mercy upon them, yet they hate him. They are angered at his attacks on their sin and his forecasts of judgment. Their hearts are as hard as iron (Jer 15:10-12).

God’s word is that the Judeans will be invaded, plundered and taken captive (Jer 15:13-14).

Knowing that God is understanding, Jeremiah asks that he will protect him from death and deal with his persecutors (Jer 15:15).

He was glad to be God’s representative, to receive God’s message and pass it on to the people; but when they heard that message and knew that the prophet was angry with them because of their sin, they cut themselves off from him. Lonely and discouraged, Jeremiah feels that even God has failed him. He feels like a thirsty person who has come to a stream, only to find that the stream has dried up (Jer 15:16-18).

In response God tells Jeremiah that he must stop speaking idle words of self-pity, and speak useful words as a true servant of God should. He must not copy the people and their worthless attitudes; they must copy him. If they continue to oppose him, God will protect him (Jer 15:19-21).