◄ Jeremiah 15:19 ►
Therefore this is what the LORD says: "If you return, I will restore you; you will stand in My presence. And if you speak words that are noble instead of worthless, you will be My spokesman. It is they who must turn to you, but you must not turn to them.
Study Bible
Therefore this is what the LORD says
This phrase introduces a divine pronouncement, emphasizing the authority and sovereignty of God. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, underscoring His eternal and unchanging nature. This sets the stage for a message of both judgment and hope, reminding us of God's ultimate control and His desire for His people to heed His words.

If you return
The Hebrew word for "return" is "shuv," which implies repentance and a turning back to God. This is a call for Jeremiah, and by extension, the people of Israel, to realign themselves with God's will. It highlights the theme of repentance as a prerequisite for restoration, a consistent message throughout the Bible.

I will restore you
The promise of restoration is central to God's covenant relationship with His people. The Hebrew root "shuv" is again implied here, indicating a return to a former state of favor and blessing. This assurance of restoration is a testament to God's grace and mercy, offering hope to those who repent.

you will stand before Me
To "stand before" God is to be in His presence, often associated with service and favor. In the context of ancient Israel, this phrase suggests a position of honor and responsibility, akin to a priestly or prophetic role. It signifies being in right relationship with God, ready to serve His purposes.

And if you speak words that are noble instead of worthless
The contrast between "noble" and "worthless" words underscores the importance of truth and integrity in communication. The Hebrew word for "noble" can also mean "precious" or "valuable," suggesting that Jeremiah's words must reflect God's truth and wisdom. This is a call to discernment and faithfulness in proclaiming God's message.

you will be My spokesman
Being God's spokesman is a high calling, indicating that Jeremiah will be God's mouthpiece to the people. This role requires faithfulness and courage, as it involves delivering messages that may be unpopular or challenging. It is a reminder of the prophet's duty to convey God's truth, regardless of personal cost.

It is they who must turn to you
This phrase indicates a reversal of roles, where the people, rather than Jeremiah, must change their ways. It emphasizes the authority and authenticity of Jeremiah's message, as it is rooted in divine truth. The people are called to recognize and respond to the prophetic word.

but you must not turn to them
Jeremiah is warned not to conform to the ways of the people. This highlights the prophet's need for steadfastness and integrity, resisting the temptation to compromise God's message. It serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining true to God's calling, even in the face of opposition or pressure to conform.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah. He is known for his perseverance in the face of opposition and his deep emotional connection to his prophetic mission.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who speaks to Jeremiah, offering him restoration and a continued role as His spokesman if he remains faithful.

3. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, facing impending judgment due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience to God.

4. Prophetic Ministry
The context of Jeremiah's calling, where he is tasked with delivering God's messages, often of judgment and calls to repentance, to a rebellious people.

5. Repentance and Restoration
Central themes in this passage, highlighting God's willingness to restore those who return to Him with sincere hearts.
Teaching Points
Call to Repentance
God invites us to return to Him, promising restoration and purpose. This requires a sincere heart and a willingness to turn away from sin.

The Power of Words
Our words have the power to build up or tear down. As believers, we are called to speak words that are noble and reflect God's truth.

Standing Firm in Faith
We are encouraged to stand firm in our faith, influencing others positively without being swayed by worldly pressures.

God's Faithfulness
God remains faithful to His promises, offering restoration and purpose to those who seek Him earnestly.

Role as God's Spokesman
Like Jeremiah, we are called to be representatives of God's truth, speaking His words with integrity and courage.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does it mean to "return" to God in the context of Jeremiah 15:19, and how can this be applied in our daily lives?

2. How can we ensure that our words are "noble instead of worthless" in our interactions with others?

3. In what ways can we stand firm in our faith and influence others positively without compromising our beliefs?

4. How does the promise of restoration in Jeremiah 15:19 encourage us in times of personal failure or spiritual struggle?

5. Reflect on a time when you felt called to be a spokesman for God. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Jeremiah's example?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 6:5-8
Similar to Jeremiah's call, Isaiah experiences a cleansing and commissioning, emphasizing the importance of purity and readiness in God's service.

2 Timothy 2:21
Paul speaks of being a vessel for honorable use, paralleling the call for Jeremiah to speak noble words and be a spokesman for God.

James 3:10-12
Discusses the power of the tongue, reinforcing the idea that our words should be noble and not worthless, aligning with God's standards.
Sermons
A Ministry of DiscriminationS. Thodey.Jeremiah 15:19-20
Divine Assistance Promised to Church GovernorsR. South, D. D.Jeremiah 15:19-20
Ministerial ObligationsW. Wilson, D. D.Jeremiah 15:19-20
Righteous Zeal Encouraged by Divine ProtectionJeremiah 15:19-20
The Essential Distinction Between Saints and SinnersN. Emmons, D. D.Jeremiah 15:19-20
The Ministry of the WordW. Whale.Jeremiah 15:19-20
The Personal Factor in Our Thought of God and ManT. R. Williams.Jeremiah 15:19-20
The Power of RebukeIsaac Taylor, LL. D.Jeremiah 15:19-20
Unsullied CharacterW. Y. Fullerton.Jeremiah 15:19-20
The Preacher's Weakness and StrengthA.F. Muir Jeremiah 15:19-21
People
Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Manasseh, Samuel
Places
Jerusalem, Zion
Topics
Bring, Bringest, Cause, Extract, Forth, Mayest, Mouth, Precious, Repent, Restore, Return, Says, Separate, Serve, Spokesman, Stand, Thus, Turn, Turnest, Utter, Value, Vile, Worthless, Worthy
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 15:19

     6730   reinstatement
     8150   revival, personal

Jeremiah 15:15-21

     8615   prayer, doubts

Jeremiah 15:19-21

     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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