Jeremiah

Jeremiah 15: The LORD rescues His weary servant

Begin in prayer

Before we read about Jeremiah’s distress, let us bring our weariness before the LORD. Ask Him to strengthen our hearts, to be near our family, and to show us Christ, our Deliverer.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalms 46:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You answer the weary and rescue those who return to You, and help us to turn from our sin and trust Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The LORD says that even Moses and Samuel could not turn His mind toward this people (verse 1). He names sword, dogs, birds and wild animals as His agents of judgment on Judah (verses 2 and 3). Jeremiah cries out that he is a man of strife to the whole land, and everyone curses him (verse 10). The LORD answers that if Jeremiah returns to Him, he will stand before Him and speak what is precious (verse 19). He promises to make Jeremiah a fortified bronze wall that the enemy cannot overcome (verse 20). The LORD says, “I am with you to save you and to deliver you” (verses 20 and 21).

As you read Jeremiah 15, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD answers the weary and rescues those who return to Him.

Moses and Samuel were honored men of prayer, yet the LORD says their prayers could not change this people’s judgment (verse 1). The LORD names sword, dogs, birds and wild animals as His instruments of judgment (verse 3). Jeremiah had lent to no one, yet everyone cursed him, so he felt rejected (verse 10). His complaint shows that a true prophet can grieve, but he must bring his grief to the LORD (verses 15 to 18). The LORD answers by calling Jeremiah to return, so that he stands before Him and speaks His word (verse 19). The LORD promises to make Jeremiah a fortified bronze wall, and to deliver him from the wicked (verses 20 and 21). Jesus is the faithful Servant of God, and He calls weary sinners to come to Him for rescue.

How does Jeremiah 15 show us that the LORD answers the weary and rescues those who return to Him?

Jeremiah was weary because judgment was certain.

Even Moses and Samuel could not turn the LORD’s mind toward this people (verse 1). The LORD names sword, famine and captivity as His means of judgment (verses 2 and 3). Jeremiah sat alone, weighed down by the word he had to bring (verse 17).

God calls His weary servant to return.

The LORD says, “If you return, then I will bring you again” (verse 19). Jeremiah must come back to the LORD and speak what is precious, not what is vile. Jeremiah had just called the LORD a deceitful brook, like waters that fail (verse 18).

The LORD promises rescue to His servant.

He says, “I am with you to save you and to deliver you” (verses 20 and 21). The LORD makes Jeremiah a fortified bronze wall, so his enemies cannot prevail (verse 20). Christ is the true Deliverer, and He calls weary sinners to trust Him for salvation.

Memorize

I am with you to save you and to deliver you

Jeremiah 15:20

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what weariness leads me away from God, and have I come to Jesus for rescue?

Jeremiah cried, “Woe is me, my mother,” because he was a man of strife to the whole land. Everyone cursed him, though he had lent to no one. The LORD did not leave him in his grief. He called His servant to return and to stand before Him.

Jesus was a Man of sorrows who knew the cost of rejection. He stood in the place of His people at the cross, bearing the judgment they deserved. His death paid for their sin completely, and God raised Him on the third day. His work is finished, and His rescue is enough for all who trust Him.

Return to the LORD, and come to Jesus with your weariness and your sin. Turn from every false help, and trust Him for rescue. Everyone who calls on Him in faith is forgiven, and He will be with His people to the end.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD answers His weary people and calls them to return to Him. Parents, you may want to explain verses 2 and 3 gently, in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He answers the weary, and bring the heart question to Him. Each child may say a short prayer if they wish.

Don’t be afraid; for I am with you. I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west.

Isaiah 43:5

Lord, thank You that You are with us and that You rescue those who return to You. Forgive our weariness and our turning to other help. Bring each of us to trust Jesus for rescue, and make us faithful to You this week. Amen.