◄ Jeremiah 15:1 ►
Then the LORD said to me: "Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My heart would not go out to this people. Send them from My presence, and let them go.
Study Bible
Then the LORD said to me
This phrase indicates a direct communication from God to Jeremiah, emphasizing the prophet's role as a mouthpiece for divine revelation. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, underscoring His eternal and unchanging nature. This introduction sets the tone for the gravity of the message that follows, highlighting the seriousness of the divine decree.

Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me
Moses and Samuel are two of the most revered intercessors in Israel's history. Moses, known for leading the Israelites out of Egypt and receiving the Law, and Samuel, a prophet and judge who anointed the first kings of Israel, both had intimate relationships with God and successfully interceded for the people. The Hebrew word for "stand" (עָמַד, 'amad) implies a position of advocacy or intercession. This phrase suggests that even the most powerful intercessors could not sway God's decision, indicating the severity of Israel's sin.

My heart would not go out to this people
The phrase "My heart would not go out" reflects God's deep sorrow and righteous anger. The Hebrew word for "heart" (לֵב, lev) often denotes the seat of emotions and will. Here, it signifies God's steadfast decision against showing compassion due to the people's persistent rebellion. This highlights the theme of divine justice and the consequences of unrepentant sin.

Send them from My presence
The command to "send them" (שָׁלַח, shalach) is a directive for separation. Being sent from God's presence signifies a loss of divine favor and protection. In the historical context, this foreshadows the impending exile of Judah, a physical and spiritual separation from the land God had given them. It serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of disobedience.

and let them go
The phrase "let them go" (יֵלֵכוּ, yelechu) implies a release or dismissal. It echoes the language of judgment and exile, where the people are allowed to follow their chosen path away from God. This reflects the biblical principle of free will, where God allows individuals to face the consequences of their choices. It serves as a call to repentance and a warning of the dangers of turning away from God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The sovereign God of Israel, who is speaking to Jeremiah, expressing His judgment and decision regarding the people of Judah.

2. Jeremiah
The prophet through whom God is delivering His message. Jeremiah is known for his role in warning Judah of impending judgment due to their persistent sin.

3. Moses
A revered prophet and leader in Israel's history, known for interceding on behalf of the Israelites and leading them out of Egypt.

4. Samuel
Another significant prophet and judge in Israel's history, known for his role in guiding Israel and interceding for them.

5. The People of Judah
The recipients of God's message through Jeremiah, who are facing judgment due to their continued disobedience and idolatry.
Teaching Points
The Limits of Intercession
While intercession is powerful, there are times when a nation or individual has gone too far in their rebellion against God. This passage reminds us of the seriousness of persistent sin.

The Role of Righteous Leaders
Moses and Samuel were exemplary leaders who stood in the gap for their people. Their mention here underscores the importance of godly leadership and prayerful intercession.

God's Justice and Mercy
God's decision not to relent, even for the sake of Moses and Samuel, highlights His justice. Yet, His willingness to communicate through Jeremiah shows His continued desire for repentance.

The Consequences of Persistent Sin
Judah's situation serves as a warning that persistent disobedience can lead to a point of no return, where divine judgment becomes inevitable.

Personal Reflection and Repentance
This passage encourages personal reflection on our own lives and communities, urging us to seek repentance and align ourselves with God's will before it's too late.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the mention of Moses and Samuel in Jeremiah 15:1 emphasize the gravity of Judah's situation?

2. In what ways can we apply the lessons of intercession from Moses and Samuel to our own prayer lives today?

3. How does the concept of divine justice in Jeremiah 15:1 relate to the broader biblical account of God's character?

4. What are some modern-day examples of persistent sin that might lead to similar divine judgment, and how can we address them?

5. How can we, as individuals and communities, ensure that we are not reaching a point of no return in our relationship with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 32 and Numbers 14
These passages recount instances where Moses interceded for Israel, and God relented from His anger, highlighting the power of intercession.

1 Samuel 7 and 12
These chapters describe Samuel's role as an intercessor for Israel, emphasizing his leadership and prayerful intervention.

Ezekiel 14:14
This verse similarly mentions Noah, Daniel, and Job, indicating that even the most righteous individuals cannot avert judgment for a persistently sinful nation.
Sermons
Fruitless IntercessionJ. Waite Jeremiah 15:1
Great IntercessorsS. Conway Jeremiah 15:1
Intercession RejectedJeremiah 15:1
Intercessory PrayerW. Whale.Jeremiah 15:1
Righteousness, the Strength of NationsH. Melvill, B. D.Jeremiah 15:1
Sins for Which Saintly Intercession Cannot AvailA.F. Muir Jeremiah 15:1
The Limits of Intercessory PrayerS. Conway Jeremiah 15:1
The Uselessness of Intercession Once More Emphatically StatedD. Young Jeremiah 15:1
Fearful Aspects of the Divine CharacterS. Conway Jeremiah 15:1-9
People
Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Manasseh, Samuel
Places
Jerusalem, Zion
Topics
Cast, Desire, Face, Forth, Heart, Mind, Presence, Samuel, Sight, Soul, Stand, Stood, Though, Towards, Turn, Yet
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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