◄ Jeremiah 15:13 ►
Your wealth and your treasures I will give up as plunder, without charge for all your sins within all your borders.
Study Bible
Your wealth and your treasures
This phrase refers to the material prosperity and valuable resources of Judah. Historically, Judah was a land rich in resources, including agricultural produce and trade goods. The wealth and treasures symbolize not only material possessions but also the spiritual blessings and heritage that the people of Judah had received from God. The loss of these treasures is a direct consequence of their disobedience and idolatry, reflecting the covenant curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28.

I will give up as plunder
The giving up of wealth as plunder indicates a divine judgment where God allows foreign nations to invade and take possession of Judah's riches. This is a fulfillment of the warnings given by prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah, where God uses other nations as instruments of His judgment. Historically, this was realized through invasions by the Babylonians, who looted Jerusalem and the temple, as recorded in 2 Kings 24-25.

without charge
This phrase suggests that the plundering will occur without any compensation or ransom. It emphasizes the totality of the loss and the inability of Judah to prevent or mitigate the consequences of their sins. The idea of "without charge" underscores the severity of God's judgment, as there is no bargaining or redemption price that can be paid to avert the disaster.

for all your sins
The sins of Judah, including idolatry, injustice, and breaking of the covenant, are the root cause of their impending judgment. The prophets repeatedly called the people to repentance, but their persistent rebellion led to this inevitable outcome. This phrase highlights the principle of divine retribution, where sin leads to judgment, as seen throughout the Old Testament narrative.

within all your borders
This indicates that the judgment will be comprehensive, affecting the entire land of Judah. The phrase "within all your borders" suggests that no part of the nation will be spared from the consequences of their actions. It reflects the thoroughness of God's judgment, as seen in the Babylonian conquest, which devastated the land and led to the exile of its people. This also serves as a reminder of the covenantal promise that the land was a gift from God, contingent upon their faithfulness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry was marked by personal suffering and national turmoil.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its persistent sin and rebellion against God.

3. God
The sovereign Lord who speaks through Jeremiah, declaring judgment on Judah for their sins.

4. Babylonian Exile
The event foreshadowed by this prophecy, where Judah's treasures and people would be taken by the Babylonians as a consequence of their disobedience.

5. Sin and Judgment
The recurring theme in Jeremiah, where the people's sins lead to God's righteous judgment.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sin
Sin has tangible consequences, both spiritually and materially. Judah's loss of wealth and treasures serves as a stark reminder of the cost of disobedience.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God is just and sovereign, and His judgments are righteous. Understanding His sovereignty helps us trust His plans even when they involve discipline.

Repentance and Restoration
While judgment is pronounced, the broader account of Scripture emphasizes God's desire for repentance and restoration. This should encourage us to seek God's mercy and forgiveness.

The Temporal Nature of Earthly Treasures
The passage reminds us that earthly wealth is fleeting and can be lost due to sin. Our focus should be on storing up treasures in heaven.

The Importance of Obedience
Obedience to God's commands is crucial. The history of Judah serves as a warning to remain faithful to God's Word.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the context of Jeremiah 15:13 help us understand the nature of God's judgment on Judah?

2. In what ways can the consequences faced by Judah serve as a warning for us today regarding the seriousness of sin?

3. How does the theme of God's sovereignty in judgment provide comfort and assurance in our own lives?

4. What steps can we take to ensure that our focus remains on eternal treasures rather than temporary, earthly ones?

5. How can we apply the lessons of obedience and repentance from Jeremiah's message to our daily walk with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 28
This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, providing a backdrop for understanding the consequences faced by Judah.

2 Kings 24-25
These chapters describe the historical fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy, detailing the Babylonian conquest and exile of Judah.

Isaiah 39:6
Isaiah's prophecy about the future plundering of Judah's treasures, which aligns with Jeremiah's message.

Lamentations 1:1-3
A poetic reflection on the desolation of Jerusalem, echoing the themes of loss and judgment found in Jeremiah.
Sermons
The Northern Iron and the SteelCharles Haddon Spurgeon
People
Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Manasseh, Samuel
Places
Jerusalem, Zion
Topics
Attackers, Booty, Borders, Charge, Cost, Plunder, Prey, Price, Sins, Spoil, Stores, Strength, Substance, Territory, Throughout, Treasures, Wealth, Within
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 15:13

     5591   treasure

Jeremiah 15:13-14

     1025   God, anger of

Library
The Northern Iron and the Steel
That being the literal meaning, we shall draw from our text a general principle. It is a proverbial expression, no doubt, and applicable to many other matters besides that of the prophet and the Jews; it is clearly meant to show, that in order to achieve a purpose, there must be a sufficient force. The weaker cannot overcome the stronger. In a general clash the firmest will win. There must be sufficient firmness in the instrument or the work cannot be done. You cannot cut granite with a pen-knife, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Hidden Manna
He was eminently the man that had seen affliction, and yet in the midst of a wilderness of woe he discovered fountains of joy. Like that Blessed One, who was "the man of sorrows" and the acquaintance of grief, he sometimes rejoiced in spirit and blessed the name of the Lord. It will be both interesting and profitable to note the root of the joy which grew up in Jeremiah's heart, like a lone palm tree in the desert. Here was its substance. It was an intense delight to him to have been chosen to the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be Moral.
1. Because all the reasons of this commandment are moral and perpetual; and God has bound us to the obedience of this commandment with more forcible reasons than to any of the rest--First, because he foresaw that irreligious men would either more carelessly neglect, or more boldly break this commandment than any other; secondly, because that in the practice of this commandment the keeping of all the other consists; which makes God so often complain that all his worship is neglected or overthrown, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
"Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation." This is predicated of the judgments of God on those who had shed the blood of his saints. The Savior declares that all the righteous blood which had been shed on the earth from that of Abel down to the gospel day, should come on that generation! But is not this unreasonable and contrary to the Scriptures? "Far be wickedness from God and iniquity from the Almighty. For the work of man shall be render unto him, and cause every …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

General Notes by the American Editor
1. The whole subject of the Apocalypse is so treated, [2318] in the Speaker's Commentary, as to elucidate many questions suggested by the primitive commentators of this series, and to furnish the latest judgments of critics on the subject. It is so immense a matter, however, as to render annotations on patristic specialties impossible in a work like this. Every reader must feel how apposite is the sententious saying of Augustine: "Apocalypsis Joannis tot sacramenta quot verba." 2. The seven spirits, …
Victorinus—Commentary on the Apocolypse of the Blessed John

How those who Fear Scourges and those who Contemn them are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 14.) Differently to be admonished are those who fear scourges, and on that account live innocently, and those who have grown so hard in wickedness as not to be corrected even by scourges. For those who fear scourges are to be told by no means to desire temporal goods as being of great account, seeing that bad men also have them, and by no means to shun present evils as intolerable, seeing they are not ignorant how for the most part good men also are touched by them. They are to be admonished …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

What the Scriptures Principally Teach: the Ruin and Recovery of Man. Faith and Love Towards Christ.
2 Tim. i. 13.--"Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." Here is the sum of religion. Here you have a compend of the doctrine of the Scriptures. All divine truths may be reduced to these two heads,--faith and love; what we ought to believe, and what we ought to do. This is all the Scriptures teach, and this is all we have to learn. What have we to know, but what God hath revealed of himself to us? And what have we to do, but what …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Word
The third way to escape the wrath and curse of God, and obtain the benefit of redemption by Christ, is the diligent use of ordinances, in particular, the word, sacraments, and prayer.' I begin with the best of these ordinances. The word . . . which effectually worketh in you that believe.' 1 Thess 2:13. What is meant by the word's working effectually? The word of God is said to work effectually when it has the good effect upon us for which it was appointed by God; when it works powerful illumination …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
The object of this chapter is to present a rudimentary outline and summary of all that Augustin penned or spoke against those traditional North African Christians whom he was pleased to regard as schismatics. It will be arranged, so far as may be, in chronological order, following the dates suggested by the Benedictine edition. The necessary brevity precludes anything but a very meagre treatment of so considerable a theme. The writer takes no responsibility for the ecclesiological tenets of the …
St. Augustine—writings in connection with the donatist controversy.

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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