Jeremiah 15:3 Study Bible: I will appoint over them four kinds, says the LORD: the sword to kill, and the dogs to tear, and the birds of the sky, and the animals of the earth, to devour and to destroy.

◄ Jeremiah 15:3 ►

I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

Study Bible

I will appoint over them
This phrase indicates divine sovereignty and judgment. The Hebrew root for "appoint" is "paqad," which often implies a visitation or an assignment of responsibility. In this context, it underscores God's active role in orchestrating the consequences of Israel's disobedience. Historically, this reflects the covenant relationship where God promised blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28).

four kinds of destroyers
The number four often symbolizes completeness or universality in biblical literature. Here, it suggests a comprehensive judgment. The "destroyers" are instruments of divine wrath, each representing different aspects of the impending calamity. This reflects the totality of the judgment that would leave no aspect of life untouched.

declares the LORD
This phrase emphasizes the authority and certainty of the message. The Hebrew "Yahweh" is used, the covenant name of God, reminding the audience of His eternal and unchanging nature. It assures that the prophecy is not merely Jeremiah's words but a divine decree.

the sword to kill
The sword is a common biblical symbol for war and execution of judgment. In the ancient Near East, the sword was a primary weapon of warfare, representing the immediate and violent nature of the coming destruction. This aligns with historical invasions by foreign powers like Babylon, which God used as instruments of His judgment.

the dogs to drag away
Dogs in ancient Israel were not domesticated pets but scavengers. This imagery conveys disgrace and dishonor, as bodies left unburied were considered cursed (Deuteronomy 28:26). The dragging away by dogs symbolizes the complete abandonment and humiliation of the people.

the birds of the air
Birds, particularly vultures, are often associated with death and decay in scripture. They are seen as agents of divine retribution, consuming the remains of the fallen. This imagery reinforces the idea of a land left desolate and cursed, where even the natural order turns against the people.

and the beasts of the earth
Beasts represent wild, untamed forces of nature. In the context of judgment, they symbolize chaos and destruction unleashed upon the land. This phrase completes the picture of a comprehensive judgment where every element of creation participates in the execution of divine justice.

to devour and destroy
The Hebrew words "akal" (to devour) and "shamad" (to destroy) emphasize total consumption and obliteration. This reflects the irreversible nature of the judgment pronounced. The dual action of devouring and destroying underscores the severity and finality of God's wrath against persistent rebellion.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry took place during a time of great turmoil and impending judgment due to the people's persistent sin.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing God's judgment due to its idolatry and disobedience. Jeremiah's prophecies were directed primarily at this kingdom.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is both just and merciful. In this passage, He declares the judgment that will come upon Judah for their sins.

4. The Sword, Dogs, Birds, and Beasts
These are the instruments of God's judgment. Each represents a different form of destruction that will come upon the people as a consequence of their rebellion.

5. Babylonian Invasion
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the historical context involves the impending invasion by Babylon, which would fulfill God's judgment on Judah.

Teaching Points

The Seriousness of Sin
Sin has severe consequences, and God's judgment is a response to persistent disobedience. We must take sin seriously and seek repentance.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God appoints specific means of judgment, demonstrating His control over all creation. We can trust that His judgments are just and purposeful.

Call to Repentance
Even in judgment, there is an implicit call to repentance. God's desire is for His people to turn back to Him and avoid the consequences of sin.

The Reality of Divine Justice
God's justice is a reality that cannot be ignored. It serves as a warning and a call to live righteously.

Hope Beyond Judgment
While this passage focuses on judgment, the broader context of Jeremiah includes promises of restoration and hope for those who return to God.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the imagery of the sword, dogs, birds, and beasts in Jeremiah 15:3 help us understand the nature of God's judgment?

2. In what ways does the judgment described in Jeremiah 15:3 reflect the covenant curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28?

3. How can we apply the lessons of God's justice and mercy in Jeremiah 15:3 to our personal lives today?

4. What parallels can we draw between the judgments in Jeremiah and the apocalyptic imagery in Revelation?

5. How does understanding the historical context of Jeremiah's prophecies enhance our comprehension of God's message to Judah and its relevance to us today?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 28
This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, including being defeated by enemies and becoming prey to wild animals, which parallels the judgments in Jeremiah 15:3.

Ezekiel 14
Similar judgments are pronounced, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the certainty of God's righteous judgment.

Revelation 6
The imagery of destruction and judgment is echoed in the apocalyptic visions, showing the consistency of God's justice throughout Scripture.

Sermons

Fearful Aspects of the Divine Character

S. Conway

Jeremiah 15:1-9

People

Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Manasseh, Samuel

Places

Jerusalem, Zion

Topics

Affirmation, Air, Animals, Appoint, Appointed, Beast, Beasts, Birds, Bodies, Causing, Consume, Dead, Death, Declares, Destroy, Destroyers, Devour, Divisions, Dogs, Doom, Drag, Fowl, Fowls, Heaven, Heavens, Kill, Kinds, Pulling, Punishments, Says, Sky, Slay, Sword, Tear, Visit

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Jeremiah 15:3

4630 dog

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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