Study 10 From the Book of Jeremiah is: Jeremiah 14 and 15
These two chapters consist of a kind of colloquy between Jeremiah and God. The prophet is driven to prayer by a time of drought (14:1-6)
- What pleas of the people does the prophet present before God in 14:7-9, and what does God answer (14:10-12) tell us of the people’s confession? Cf. 3:10; 15:6, 7; Is. 59:1, 2. What further pleas does Jeremiah urge in his second and third prayers (14:13 and 19:22)? What are God’s answers in each case?
- The prophet, ceasing to pray for the people, breaks into a lament (15:10) and prays for himself (15:15-18). Observe carefully God’s answer, especially in verses 19-21. How well did Jeremiah know himself? What new element is added in verse 19? Have you ever had a comparable answer to prayer? Cf 2 Tim. 2:19-21.
Notes
- 14:2; 15:7. ‘Gates’: i.e., cities.
- 14:7, 21. ‘For thy name’s sake’: God’s name is ‘His nature as revealed in the covenant, which is the ultimate ground of prayer’ (Cunliffe-Jones). Cf. Ex. 33:19; 34:5-7.
- 15:1 Cf. Ps. 99:6-8. Moses (e.g., Ex. 32:11-14, 30-32) and Samuel (e.g., 1 Sa. 7:8, 9) were outstanding in intercession of their people.
- 15:4. See 2 Ki. 21:1-5, 16.
- 15:11. The Hebrew is very difficult, and rsv, av, all differ considerably from each other.
- 15:12. A reference to the Chaldeans. There is no hope of breaking their power.
- 15:19. The tone is severe. Jeremiah must return to a more undivided allegiance. For ‘stand before’. Cf.. verse 1 and Note 3 above, and 18:20.
Apprehended 