Jeremiah 10:19

Woe to me because of my brokenness; my wound is grievous! But I said, "This is truly my sickness, and I must bear it."

Study Bible

Woe to me because of my brokenness;
This phrase reflects a deep lamentation and personal anguish. In the context of Jeremiah, the prophet often expresses sorrow over the impending judgment on Judah due to their idolatry and disobedience. The "brokenness" can be seen as both personal and national, symbolizing the spiritual and moral decay of the people. This lament echoes the broader biblical theme of mourning over sin and its consequences, similar to the laments found in the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 38:8).

my wound is grievous!
The imagery of a grievous wound suggests severe and incurable pain, often used metaphorically in the Bible to describe the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. In Jeremiah's context, it signifies the deep spiritual and physical affliction that Judah faces due to their covenant unfaithfulness. This can be compared to the wounds described in Isaiah 1:5-6, where the nation is depicted as being sick from head to toe due to their sins.

But I said, “This is truly my sickness,
Here, the acknowledgment of "my sickness" indicates a personal acceptance of the condition. It reflects a recognition of the inevitability of suffering due to sin, aligning with the biblical principle of personal responsibility for one's actions. This acceptance is reminiscent of the confessions found in Lamentations, where the people acknowledge their sins and the resulting judgment (Lamentations 3:39-42).

and I must bear it.”
The phrase "I must bear it" signifies a resigned acceptance of the consequences. This reflects the biblical theme of enduring suffering with patience and faith, as seen in the lives of other prophets and figures like Job, who bore his afflictions while maintaining his faith in God (Job 13:15). It also points to the New Testament teaching of bearing one's cross, as Jesus instructed His followers to do (Matthew 16:24), highlighting the call to endure trials as part of the Christian journey.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jeremiah
The prophet who is lamenting the state of Judah and expressing personal and communal suffering.

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

3. Babylonian Exile
The event that Jeremiah is prophesying about, where the people of Judah will be taken captive by Babylon as a consequence of their sins.

Teaching Points

Acknowledgment of Suffering
Recognize that suffering is a part of the human experience and can be a result of personal or communal sin.

Personal Responsibility
Accepting one's own role in suffering, as Jeremiah acknowledges his "sickness" and the need to bear it.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Even in suffering, trust that God is in control and has a purpose for allowing trials.

Repentance and Restoration
Use times of suffering as opportunities for repentance and seeking restoration with God.

Hope in God's Deliverance
Remember that God promises deliverance and healing, even if it is not immediate.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Jeremiah's acknowledgment of his "injury" and "sickness" reflect a personal and communal understanding of sin and its consequences?

2. In what ways can we relate Jeremiah's acceptance of suffering to our own experiences of trials and challenges?

3. How does the theme of bearing one's own suffering in Jeremiah 10:19 connect to the New Testament teachings on suffering and grace?

4. What steps can we take to ensure that our response to suffering leads to repentance and spiritual growth?

5. How can we find hope and encouragement in God's promises during times of personal or communal suffering, as seen in Jeremiah's context?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Lamentations 3
Jeremiah's lament over Jerusalem's destruction, expressing similar themes of personal and communal suffering.

Isaiah 53
The suffering servant passage, which speaks of bearing griefs and sorrows, connecting to the idea of bearing one's own sickness or suffering.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Paul's discussion of his "thorn in the flesh" and how God's grace is sufficient, paralleling the acceptance of personal suffering.

Psalm 38
A psalm of David expressing personal anguish and the acknowledgment of sin, similar to Jeremiah's lament.