◄ Jeremiah 15:14 ►
Then I will enslave you to your enemies in a land you do not know, for My anger will kindle a fire that will burn against you."
Study Bible
I will make
This phrase indicates the sovereignty and active involvement of God in the affairs of nations and individuals. The Hebrew root here is "עָשָׂה" (asah), which means to do, make, or accomplish. It underscores God's authority and power to orchestrate events according to His divine will. In the context of Jeremiah, it reflects God's control over the destiny of Israel, even in their disobedience.

your enemies
The term "enemies" refers to those who oppose or are hostile towards someone. In the historical context of Jeremiah, this primarily refers to the Babylonians, who were used by God as instruments of judgment against Judah. The Hebrew word "אוֹיֵב" (oyev) conveys the idea of adversaries who are divinely appointed to fulfill God's purposes, even when they are unaware of it.

bring it into a land
This phrase speaks to the exile that the people of Judah would experience. The "land" is a place of unfamiliarity and separation from the promised land. The Hebrew word "אֶרֶץ" (eretz) can mean earth, land, or country, emphasizing the physical and spiritual displacement that would occur. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God.

you do not know
This highlights the unfamiliarity and alienation that the people would face. The Hebrew root "יָדַע" (yada) means to know, perceive, or understand. The phrase suggests a loss of identity and connection, as the people would be taken to a foreign land, symbolizing the spiritual estrangement from God due to their sin.

for My anger
God's "anger" here is a righteous and just response to the persistent sin and rebellion of His people. The Hebrew word "אַף" (aph) often denotes anger or wrath, particularly in a divine context. It reflects God's holiness and intolerance of sin, serving as a warning of the serious consequences of disobedience.

will kindle a fire
The imagery of fire is often used in Scripture to represent judgment, purification, or the presence of God. The Hebrew root "בָּעַר" (ba'ar) means to burn or consume. This metaphorical fire signifies the intensity and consuming nature of God's judgment, intended to purify and bring His people back to repentance.

that will burn against you
This phrase emphasizes the personal and direct impact of God's judgment on the people. The Hebrew word "בָּעַר" (ba'ar) is repeated, reinforcing the idea of a consuming force. It serves as a sobering reminder of the personal nature of sin and the need for individual and collective repentance to restore the relationship with God.

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 idolatry and disobedience to God.

3. Enemies
Refers to the foreign nations, particularly Babylon, that God would use as instruments of judgment against Judah.

4. Land You Do Not Know
Symbolizes exile and the unfamiliar territories where the people of Judah would be taken as captives.

5. God's Anger
Represents divine judgment and the righteous response of God to the sin and rebellion of His people.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Disobedience
God's warnings through His prophets are serious and should not be ignored. Persistent disobedience leads to severe consequences, as seen in Judah's exile.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God uses nations and circumstances to fulfill His purposes. Even in judgment, His sovereignty is evident, reminding us that He is in control.

The Call to Repentance
The message of judgment is also a call to repentance. God's desire is for His people to turn back to Him and avoid the consequences of sin.

Hope Beyond Judgment
While the immediate context is one of judgment, God's ultimate plan includes restoration and hope for those who return to Him.

Personal Reflection on Sin
Reflect on areas of personal disobedience and seek God's forgiveness and guidance to align with His will.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the historical context of Jeremiah's ministry help us understand the severity of God's message in Jeremiah 15:14?

2. In what ways does the concept of exile in Jeremiah 15:14 parallel the spiritual consequences of sin in our lives today?

3. How can we see God's sovereignty at work in the events described in Jeremiah 15:14, and how does this encourage us in our current circumstances?

4. What lessons can we learn from Judah's failure to heed God's warnings, and how can we apply these lessons to our personal walk with God?

5. How do the themes of judgment and hope in Jeremiah 15:14 connect with the broader account of redemption found in the New Testament?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 28
This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, including exile, which connects to the consequences faced by Judah.

2 Kings 24-25
These chapters describe the historical fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies, including the Babylonian exile.

Lamentations 1
Written by Jeremiah, this book poetically expresses the sorrow and devastation of Jerusalem's fall, providing a deeper understanding of the consequences of God's anger.
Sermons
The Northern Iron and the SteelCharles Haddon Spurgeon
People
Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Manasseh, Samuel
Places
Jerusalem, Zion
Topics
Anger, Bring, Burn, Burning, Cause, Caused, Enemies, Fire, Flame, Hast, Haters, Kindle, Kindled, Nostril, Pass, Serve, Strange, Wrath
Dictionary of Bible Themes
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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