Jeremiah 15:9
The mother of seven will grow faint; she will breathe her last breath. Her sun will set while it is still day; she will be disgraced and humiliated. And the rest I will put to the sword in the presence of their enemies," declares the LORD.
The mother of seven
In ancient Israel, having many children, particularly sons, was considered a blessing and a sign of divine favor. The phrase "mother of seven" symbolizes completeness and abundance, as the number seven often represents perfection or completion in the Bible. This imagery underscores the depth of the impending loss and devastation. The mother, once blessed with a full quiver, now faces the ultimate sorrow, highlighting the severity of God's judgment on the nation.

will grow faint and breathe her last
The Hebrew root for "grow faint" suggests a weakening or failing strength, often used to describe physical or emotional exhaustion. This phrase paints a vivid picture of despair and hopelessness. The mother, symbolic of the nation, is not just physically dying but is also spiritually and emotionally depleted. This reflects the dire consequences of Israel's persistent disobedience and the inevitable fulfillment of God's warnings through His prophets.

Her sun will set while it is still day
This metaphor indicates an untimely end, a life or situation cut short before its natural conclusion. In the historical context, it signifies the abrupt and premature downfall of Jerusalem and its people. The imagery of the sun setting at midday conveys a sense of unexpected calamity and the loss of hope and future. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's covenant.

she will be disgraced and humiliated
Disgrace and humiliation were severe social and personal consequences in the ancient Near Eastern culture. This phrase emphasizes the public nature of the judgment and the complete reversal of fortune for the once-blessed nation. The Hebrew terms used here convey a deep sense of shame and dishonor, reflecting the nation's spiritual adultery and the resulting divine retribution.

The rest of them I will give to the sword
This phrase indicates the fate of those who survive the initial calamity. The "sword" is a common biblical symbol for war and destruction. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled through the Babylonian conquest, where many Israelites were killed or taken into exile. It underscores the totality of God's judgment and the seriousness of the people's sin, serving as a sobering reminder of the consequences of forsaking God's law.

in the presence of their enemies
This phrase highlights the public nature of the judgment and the humiliation of being defeated and destroyed before those who oppose them. It reflects the historical reality of Israel's enemies witnessing and participating in their downfall. This serves as a powerful reminder of the protective hand of God that was removed due to the nation's persistent rebellion, leaving them vulnerable to their adversaries.

declares the LORD
This authoritative conclusion emphasizes that the message is not merely Jeremiah's words but a divine pronouncement. The use of "declares the LORD" underscores the certainty and seriousness of the prophecy. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His word, reinforcing the call to repentance and faithfulness to His covenant.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
The prophet who conveyed God's messages to the people of Judah, warning them of impending judgment due to their unfaithfulness.

2. The Mother of Seven
A symbolic figure representing the nation of Judah or Jerusalem, often seen as a mother to its people. The number seven signifies completeness or perfection in Hebrew culture.

3. The Remnant
Refers to the remaining people of Judah who will face destruction or exile due to their disobedience.

4. The Sword
Symbolizes the impending judgment and destruction that will come upon the people through warfare and conquest by their enemies.

5. The LORD
The covenant God of Israel, who is both just and merciful, executing judgment while also offering hope for repentance and restoration.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Disobedience
God's judgment is a direct result of persistent disobedience and unfaithfulness. The imagery of the mother of seven growing faint serves as a stark warning of the consequences of turning away from God.

The Suddenness of Judgment
The sun setting while it is still day illustrates the unexpected and swift nature of God's judgment. Believers are reminded to live in readiness and obedience.

Hope Amidst Judgment
Even in the declaration of judgment, there is an implicit call to repentance. God's desire is for His people to turn back to Him and avoid the impending consequences.

The Role of the Remnant
The concept of a remnant highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Despite judgment, God preserves a remnant, offering hope for future restoration.

The Importance of Humility
The disgrace and humiliation mentioned serve as a reminder of the need for humility before God. Pride and self-reliance lead to downfall, while humility opens the door to God's grace.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of "the mother of seven" in Jeremiah 15:9 deepen our understanding of the severity of Judah's judgment?

2. In what ways does the sudden setting of the sun at midday serve as a warning for us today in our spiritual walk?

3. How can the concept of a remnant in Jeremiah 15:9 encourage believers facing difficult circumstances?

4. What parallels can we draw between the judgment described in Jeremiah 15:9 and the warnings given in the New Testament about being prepared for Christ's return?

5. How can we apply the lesson of humility from this passage to our personal lives and community interactions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 2:5
This verse also speaks of a barren woman bearing seven children, highlighting the reversal of fortunes, which connects to the theme of judgment and loss in Jeremiah 15:9.

Amos 8:9
Describes a similar imagery of the sun setting at noon, symbolizing sudden and unexpected judgment, paralleling the imagery in Jeremiah 15:9.

Lamentations 1:1
Reflects on the desolation of Jerusalem, akin to the disgrace and humiliation mentioned in Jeremiah 15:9.
Beautiful, But BriefW. Whale.Jeremiah 15:9
Death in the Midst of LifeJ. Burn, D. D.Jeremiah 15:9
Death the Setting of the SunHomilistJeremiah 15:9
Premature SunsetW. Whale.Jeremiah 15:9
Sunset At NoondayHomiletic MonthlyJeremiah 15:9
The Christian's SunW. J. Stuart.Jeremiah 15:9
The Darkened HomeS. Conway Jeremiah 15:9
Fearful Aspects of the Divine CharacterS. Conway Jeremiah 15:1-9
God Forsaking and God ForsakenW. Whale.Jeremiah 15:6-9
How Men Forsake GodD. L. Moody.Jeremiah 15:6-9
People
Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Manasseh, Samuel
Places
Jerusalem, Zion
Topics
Affirmation, Ashamed, Bearer, Bore, Borne, Breath, Breathe, Breathed, Breathing, Confounded, Declares, Deliver, Disappointed, Disgraced, Droopeth, Enemies, Faint, Ghost, Grow, Haters, Humiliated, Labored, Languished, Languishes, Languisheth, Overcome, Pines, Residue, Resigned, Rest, Says, Seven, Shame, Shamed, Sons, Spirit, Strength, Survivors, Swooned, Sword, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 15:9

     4284   sun
     5879   humiliation

Jeremiah 15:5-9

     5890   insecurity

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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