◄ Jeremiah 15:2 ►
If they ask you, 'Where shall we go?' you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: 'Those destined for death, to death; those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine; and those destined for captivity, to captivity.'
Study Bible
If they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’
This phrase reflects the desperation and confusion of the people of Judah during Jeremiah's time. The question indicates a lack of direction and hope, as the people face impending judgment. Historically, this period was marked by political instability and threats from powerful empires like Babylon. Theologically, it underscores the people's failure to heed God's warnings through the prophets, leading to their current predicament.

you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says:
This phrase emphasizes the role of Jeremiah as a prophet, a mouthpiece for God. It highlights the authority of the message, as it comes directly from the LORD. In the biblical context, prophets were often tasked with delivering difficult messages, and their authority was derived from their divine commission. This underscores the seriousness of the message and the certainty of its fulfillment.

‘Those destined for death, to death;
This part of the verse indicates the inevitability of the judgment decreed by God. The repetition of "destined" suggests a divine determination or decree. In the broader biblical narrative, this reflects the consequences of persistent disobedience and sin. Theologically, it can be seen as a reflection of the principle of divine justice, where each person receives according to their actions.

those destined for the sword, to the sword;
Here, "the sword" symbolizes warfare and violence, common forms of judgment in the ancient Near East. Historically, this would have been understood in the context of the Babylonian invasions, which brought destruction and death to Judah. This phrase connects to other scriptures where the sword is a metaphor for divine judgment, such as in Ezekiel 21:9-11.

those destined for famine, to famine;
Famine was a frequent consequence of siege warfare in ancient times, as invading armies would cut off food supplies. This phrase highlights the severity of the judgment, affecting not just the military but also the civilian population. Biblically, famine is often used as a tool of divine discipline, as seen in Leviticus 26:26 and Amos 4:6.

and those destined for captivity, to captivity.’
Captivity refers to the exile that many in Judah would experience at the hands of the Babylonians. This was a significant event in Jewish history, leading to a period of reflection and transformation for the Jewish people. Theologically, captivity serves as both punishment and a means of purification, as seen in the Babylonian Exile narratives. It also foreshadows the ultimate deliverance and restoration promised by God, pointing to the hope of redemption and return.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah. His ministry was marked by deep personal struggle and opposition.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is delivering a message of judgment through His prophet, Jeremiah.

3. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, facing impending judgment due to persistent sin and rebellion against God.

4. Babylonian Captivity
The event prophesied by Jeremiah, where the people of Judah would be taken into exile by the Babylonians as a consequence of their disobedience.

5. The Sword, Famine, and Captivity
Symbols of the various forms of judgment that God would bring upon the people for their unfaithfulness.
Teaching Points
The Certainty of God's Judgment
God's pronouncements through Jeremiah highlight the certainty and inevitability of His judgment when His people persist in sin. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience.

The Sovereignty of God
The passage underscores God's sovereignty in determining the fate of nations and individuals. It calls believers to trust in God's ultimate plan and justice.

The Call to Repentance
While the message is one of judgment, it implicitly calls for repentance. Understanding the severity of God's judgment should lead us to seek His mercy and turn from sin.

The Role of the Prophet
Jeremiah's role as a messenger of difficult truths challenges us to be faithful in delivering God's message, even when it is unpopular or hard to hear.

Hope in God's Promises
Despite the harshness of the judgment, the broader context of Jeremiah includes promises of restoration and hope, reminding us that God's ultimate desire is for redemption and reconciliation.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jeremiah 15:2 reflect the character of God as both just and merciful? Consider other scriptures that highlight these attributes.

2. In what ways does the certainty of God's judgment in Jeremiah 15:2 challenge us to examine our own lives and communities today?

3. How can we, like Jeremiah, faithfully communicate God's truth in a culture that may be resistant or indifferent to it?

4. What parallels can you draw between the judgments mentioned in Jeremiah 15:2 and the warnings given in Deuteronomy 28? How do these connections deepen our understanding of God's covenant relationship with His people?

5. How does the message of judgment in Jeremiah 15:2 ultimately point us to the hope and redemption found in Jesus Christ? Consider the broader account of Scripture in your response.
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 28
This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, which include sword, famine, and captivity, similar to the judgments mentioned in Jeremiah 15:2.

Ezekiel 14:21
This passage also speaks of God's four severe judgments: sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague, emphasizing the seriousness of divine judgment.

Revelation 6:8
The imagery of sword, famine, and death is echoed in the apocalyptic visions, showing the continuity of God's judgment throughout Scripture.
Sermons
Fearful Aspects of the Divine CharacterS. Conway Jeremiah 15:1-9
People
Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Manasseh, Samuel
Places
Jerusalem, Zion
Topics
Captivity, Death, Destined, Famine, Forth, Hast, Pass, Pestilence, Prisoners, Says, Starvation, Sword, Thus, Whither
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 15:1

     6232   rejection of God, results
     6606   access to God
     8640   calling upon God

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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