For the brokenness of the daughter of my people I am crushed. I mourn; horror has gripped me. For the brokenness of the daughter of my peopleThis phrase reflects the deep sorrow and empathy Jeremiah feels for the people of Judah. The "daughter of my people" is a poetic expression often used in the Old Testament to denote the nation of Israel or Judah, emphasizing a familial and intimate relationship. The "brokenness" refers to the spiritual and moral decay of the people, as well as the impending physical destruction due to their disobedience to God. This brokenness is a result of their idolatry and rejection of God's covenant, as seen throughout the book of Jeremiah. The prophet's lament echoes the heart of God, who desires repentance and restoration for His people. I am crushed
Jeremiah's personal anguish is evident here, as he identifies with the suffering of his people. The word "crushed" conveys a sense of overwhelming grief and despair. This emotional response is not just a personal feeling but also reflects the heart of God, who is deeply affected by the sin and suffering of His people. Jeremiah's role as a prophet involves bearing the burden of the people's sins and interceding on their behalf, much like Moses did for the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 32:11-14). This phrase also foreshadows the ultimate intercessor, Jesus Christ, who was "crushed for our iniquities" (Isaiah 53:5). I mourn
The act of mourning in ancient Israel often involved wearing sackcloth, ashes, and public lamentation. Jeremiah's mourning is both a personal expression of grief and a prophetic act, symbolizing the appropriate response to sin and impending judgment. Mourning is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, calling the people to repentance. In the New Testament, Jesus also mourns over Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-39), showing continuity in God's desire for His people to turn back to Him. horror has gripped me
The "horror" that grips Jeremiah is a reaction to the realization of the severity of Judah's situation. This horror is not just fear of the coming Babylonian invasion but also a profound understanding of the spiritual desolation that has led to this point. The gripping nature of this horror suggests an inescapable and overwhelming dread. This phrase can be connected to the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), highlighting the seriousness of turning away from God. The horror also prefigures the anguish of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He faced the weight of humanity's sin (Luke 22:44). Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahThe prophet who is expressing deep sorrow and empathy for the people of Judah. Known as the "weeping prophet," Jeremiah's ministry was marked by his heartfelt lamentations over the spiritual and physical state of his people. 2. The Daughter of My PeopleA poetic expression referring to the people of Judah. This term emphasizes the close, familial relationship between God and His people, highlighting their collective identity and the deep concern for their well-being. 3. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment and destruction due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience to God. 4. Mourning and HorrorEmotional responses of Jeremiah, reflecting the gravity of the situation. Mourning indicates deep sorrow, while horror suggests a profound shock and distress over the people's condition. 5. Impending JudgmentThe context of this verse is the looming Babylonian invasion, which was a direct consequence of Judah's unfaithfulness to God. Teaching Points Empathy and IntercessionJeremiah's response to the brokenness of his people teaches us the importance of empathy and intercession. As believers, we are called to share in the sufferings of others and to pray earnestly for their restoration. The Consequences of SinThe verse serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of persistent sin and disobedience. It calls us to examine our lives and turn back to God in repentance. The Heart of a ProphetJeremiah's mourning reflects the heart of a true prophet, who not only delivers God's message but also shares in the pain of the people. This challenges us to be compassionate and to bear one another's burdens. Hope Amidst DespairWhile the verse is filled with sorrow, it also points to the hope of restoration. God's heart is for healing and redemption, even in the midst of judgment. The Role of LamentLament is a biblical response to suffering and injustice. It allows us to express our grief and seek God's intervention, reminding us that He is attentive to our cries. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jeremiah's response to the brokenness of his people challenge us to respond to the suffering around us today? 2. In what ways can we practice empathy and intercession for those who are experiencing spiritual or physical brokenness? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced the consequences of sin. How did that experience lead you to repentance and restoration? 4. How can the practice of lament deepen our relationship with God and enhance our prayer life? 5. What are some practical steps we can take to bear one another's burdens and support each other in times of distress, as exemplified by Jeremiah's mourning? Connections to Other Scriptures Lamentations 1:12This verse echoes Jeremiah's deep sorrow and mourning over Jerusalem's destruction, emphasizing the personal and communal grief experienced by the prophet. Isaiah 22:4Similar to Jeremiah, Isaiah expresses profound grief over the fate of his people, highlighting the role of prophets as intercessors and mourners for their nation. Matthew 23:37Jesus laments over Jerusalem, showing continuity in the theme of divine sorrow over the people's rejection and impending judgment. People Dan, JeremiahPlaces Dan, Gilead, Jerusalem, ZionTopics Anguish, Appalment, Astonishment, Black, Breach, Broken, Brokenness, Clothing, Crushed, Daughter, Destruction, Dismay, Dressed, Fear, Grief, Grip, Grips, Heart, Hold, Horror, Hurt, Mourn, Mourning, Seized, Wound, WoundedDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 8:21 5952 sorrow
8239 earnestness
8713 discouragement Jeremiah 8:18-22 8722 doubt, nature of Jeremiah 8:21-9:1 5899 lament Library December 8. "Is There no Balm in Gilead; is There no Physician There?" (Jer. viii. 22).
"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?" (Jer. viii. 22). Divine healing is just divine life. It is the headship of Christ over the body. It is the life of Christ in the frame. It is the union of our members with the very body of Christ and the inflowing life of Christ in our living members. It is as real as His risen and glorified body. It is as reasonable as the fact that He was raised from the dead and is a living man with a true body and a rational soul to-day, at God's right …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth What have I Done?
The text is "What have I done?" I shall just introduce that by a few words of affectionate persuasion, urging all now present to ask that question: secondly, I shall give them a few words of assistance in trying to answer it; and when I have so done, I shall finish by a few sentences of solemn admonition to those who have had to answer the question against themselves. I. First, then, a few words of EARNEST PERSUASION, requesting every one now present, and more especially every unconverted person, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 Who Shall Deliver?
"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?"--JER. viii. 22. "Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto Thee; for Thou art the Lord our God."-JER. iii. 22. "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed."-JER. xii. 14. "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession "For they that are after the Flesh do Mind,"
Rom. viii. s 5, 6.--"For they that are after the flesh do mind," &c. "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." There are many differences among men in this world, that, as to outward appearance, are great and wide, and indeed they are so eagerly pursued, and seriously minded by men, as if they were great and momentous. You see what a strife and contention there is among men, how to be extracted out of the dregs of the multitude, and set a little higher …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Letter ii (A. D. 1126) to the Monk Adam
To the Monk Adam [3] 1. If you remain yet in that spirit of charity which I either knew or believed to be with you formerly, you would certainly feel the condemnation with which charity must regard the scandal which you have given to the weak. For charity would not offend charity, nor scorn when it feels itself offended. For it cannot deny itself, nor be divided against itself. Its function is rather to draw together things divided; and it is far from dividing those that are joined. Now, if that …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Backsliding.
"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."--Hosea xiv. 4. There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, "slid forward." They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently from real back-sliders--those who have been born of the incorruptible …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It A Book for Boys and Girls Or, Temporal Things Spritualized.
by John Bunyan, Licensed and entered according to order. London: Printed for, and sold by, R. Tookey, at his Printing House in St. Christopher's Court, in Threadneedle Street, behind the Royal Exchange, 1701. Advertisement by the Editor. Some degree of mystery hangs over these Divine Emblems for children, and many years' diligent researches have not enabled me completely to solve it. That they were written by Bunyan, there cannot be the slightest doubt. 'Manner and matter, too, are all his own.'[1] …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 "But Whereunto Shall I Liken this Generation?"
Matth. xi. 16.--"But whereunto shall I liken this generation?" When our Lord Jesus, who had the tongue of the learned, and spoke as never man spake, did now and then find a difficulty to express the matter herein contained. "What shall we do?" The matter indeed is of great importance, a soul matter, and therefore of great moment, a mystery, and therefore not easily expressed. No doubt he knows how to paint out this to the life, that we might rather behold it with our eyes, than hear it with our …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 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 Links Jeremiah 8:21 NIVJeremiah 8:21 NLTJeremiah 8:21 ESVJeremiah 8:21 NASBJeremiah 8:21 KJV
Jeremiah 8:21 Commentaries
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