Jeremiah asked God to take up his cause and to remember everything that had happened to him. He acted with valor and courage when no one else could. In verses 15-18 it becomes clear everything Jeremiah had gone through:
- He was mistreated. (v15)
- He was reviled. (v15)
- He was alone. (v17)
- He was discouraged. (v18)
- He felt forsaken by God. (v18)
In verses 19-21 God encouraged his prophet and gave him three things:
- A picture of God. God stands by Jeremiah and shows him how he sees the situation.
- A picture of the people. God confirms Jeremiah's assessment. The people are stubborn.
- A picture of victory. God reminds Jeremiah that he is greater than any circumstance.
Jeremiah 15:15-21
The burden of the prophetic office (Jeremiah's second complaint)
15 O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.
16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
17 I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.
18 Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?
19 Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.
20 And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
21 And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.
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