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)
1.
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?
2.
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
1.
14:2; 15:7. ‘Gates’: i.e., cities.
2.
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.
3.
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.
4.
15:4. See 2 Ki. 21:1-5, 16.
5.
15:11. The Hebrew is very difficult, and rsv, av, all differ
considerably from each other.
6.
15:12. A reference to the Chaldeans. There is no hope of breaking their power.
7.
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.
