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Jeremiah 15 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
The insecurities of Jeremiah are starting to show. He’s really stuck between a rock and hard place. He knows he needs to continue to obey God, but it’s costing him so much with his people. Ultimately, he’s worried it’s going to cost him his life. The thing I love about God here is that He never rebukes Jeremiah for what he doesn’t know. In fact, he doesn’t even call out Jeremiah’s weaknesses. He does, however, challenge him on his lack of faith and slowness to believe.
I think this is interesting as most of us would say we would follow God no matter what. Let’s put this into realistic terms in relation to Jeremiah’s situation. What if your family, friends, and all those in your city turned against you and viewed you as a complete outcast? The people who you are supposed to be leading refuse to listen to anything you say and continue down their wayward path. The mental and emotional exhaustion of this is enough to make a man insane! And through this, God is asking for faith. He’s asking Jeremiah to trust him. He’s offering His protection. But it will come with a cost, for sure.
Jeremiah has been chosen for this moment. He has been groomed from a young age and chosen by God to do good works through Him. God never said it would be easy. Look, each of us has a ministry. How would you respond to a ministry in which absolutely no one is listening to you or respecting your words? How would you feel if you knew that your purpose was to inform those you love of their dark road to exile? What kind of an effect does it have emotionally, mentally, and spiritually to have a burden for those who refuse to listen to anything you have to say?
The hope and protection God offers at the end of this chapter is more than enough.
I will make you like a solid bronze wall as far as they are concerned. They will fight against you, but they will not defeat you. I will be with you to protect you and keep you safe. 21 I will rescue you from the power of wicked and violent people. I, the LORD, have spoken.”
Jeremiah 15:20-21 GNB
Do you believe that right now? Will you follow him despite what it may cost you?
It’s acceptable to protest like Jeremiah. It’s understandable to question and wrestle. But when it comes down to the final decision of obedience, if we are to be like Him, then we must show our faith to be true by following through until the very end. Wrestling and protesting do not necessarily equal disobedience, especially if we stay close in our relationship with God. Do not be discouraged if you are there. Jeremiah was too. When we step out in faith with obedience, He will protect and provide!