◄ Jeremiah 15:11 ►
The LORD said: "Surely I will deliver you for a good purpose; surely I will intercede with your enemy in your time of trouble, in your time of distress.
Study Bible
The LORD said
This phrase emphasizes the divine authority and assurance behind the message. In Hebrew, "Yahweh" is the covenant name of God, signifying His eternal presence and faithfulness. The use of "said" (Hebrew: אָמַר, 'amar) indicates a definitive and authoritative declaration, underscoring that what follows is not merely a suggestion but a promise from God Himself. This sets the tone for the entire verse, reminding us of God's sovereignty and His active role in the lives of His people.

Surely I will deliver you
The word "surely" (Hebrew: אִם־לֹא, 'im-lo) is a strong affirmation, often used to emphasize certainty. "Deliver" (Hebrew: שָׁרַת, sharat) conveys the idea of rescue or salvation. This promise of deliverance is not just a physical rescue but also a spiritual and emotional one. It reflects God's commitment to His people, assuring them of His protection and intervention in their lives. Historically, this would have been a powerful reassurance to Jeremiah, who faced opposition and persecution.

for a good purpose
The phrase "for a good purpose" (Hebrew: לְטוֹבָה, le-tovah) indicates that God's deliverance is not arbitrary but intentional and beneficial. "Good" (Hebrew: טוֹב, tov) in the biblical context often refers to what is morally excellent, beneficial, and aligned with God's will. This suggests that God's actions are always aimed at achieving His righteous purposes, even when they are not immediately apparent to us. It encourages believers to trust in God's plan, knowing that He works all things for good (Romans 8:28).

surely I will intercede with your enemy
The repetition of "surely" reinforces the certainty of God's intervention. "Intercede" (Hebrew: פָּגַע, paga) implies a direct involvement or intervention on behalf of someone. This is a powerful image of God stepping in to advocate for His people, turning the hearts of their enemies or altering circumstances in their favor. It highlights God's role as a mediator and protector, assuring believers that they are not alone in their struggles.

in your time of trouble
The word "trouble" (Hebrew: רָעָה, ra'ah) often denotes distress, adversity, or calamity. This acknowledges the reality of difficult times in the life of a believer. However, it also serves as a reminder that God is present in those moments, ready to provide aid and comfort. Historically, Jeremiah faced significant opposition, and this promise would have been a source of hope and strength for him.

and in your time of distress
"Distress" (Hebrew: צָרָה, tsarah) is a term that conveys a sense of anguish or tightness, often used to describe situations of extreme pressure or hardship. The repetition of "in your time" emphasizes God's faithfulness and readiness to act precisely when His people need Him most. This assurance is meant to inspire confidence and perseverance, knowing that God is attentive to the cries of His people and will act on their behalf.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah. He often faced opposition and persecution for his prophecies.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who speaks to Jeremiah, assuring him of deliverance and divine intervention.

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

4. Enemies of Judah
Nations and individuals who opposed Judah and Jeremiah, often used by God as instruments of judgment.

5. Time of Trouble/Distress
Periods of hardship and adversity faced by Jeremiah and the people of Judah, often as a result of their rebellion against God.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereign Purpose
God assures Jeremiah of deliverance for a "good purpose," highlighting His sovereign plan even amidst adversity. Believers can trust that God has a purpose for their trials.

Divine Intervention
The promise of God interceding with enemies emphasizes His active role in the lives of His people. Christians can find comfort in knowing that God is their advocate.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Jeremiah's experience teaches the importance of remaining faithful to God's calling, even when facing opposition. Believers are encouraged to stand firm in their faith.

Hope in Distress
The assurance of deliverance in times of distress offers hope. Christians can rely on God's promises and find peace in His faithfulness.

Prayer and Trust
The passage encourages believers to pray and trust in God's deliverance, knowing that He hears and responds to their cries for help.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does God's promise to Jeremiah in this verse reflect His character and faithfulness?

2. In what ways can we see God's "good purpose" in our own times of trouble and distress?

3. How can the assurance of divine intervention change our perspective on facing adversaries or challenges?

4. What are some practical ways we can remain faithful to God's calling, as Jeremiah did, despite opposition?

5. How can we apply the promise of God's deliverance in Jeremiah 15:11 to our prayer life and trust in Him?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 37:39-40
These verses speak of the Lord as a stronghold in times of trouble, similar to His promise of deliverance to Jeremiah.

Isaiah 41:10
This verse reassures God's people of His presence and help, echoing the promise of divine intervention found in Jeremiah 15:11.

2 Corinthians 1:10
Paul speaks of God's deliverance from deadly peril, which parallels the assurance given to Jeremiah.
Sermons
The Offense of Faithful PreachingA.F. Muir
People
Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Manasseh, Samuel
Places
Jerusalem, Zion
Topics
Adversity, Affliction, Behalf, Cause, Certainly, Deliver, Direct, Disaster, Distress, Enemies, Enemy, Entreat, Entreated, Evil, Free, Intercede, Kindly, Meet, O, Plead, Pleaded, Purpose, Purposes, Release, Remnant, Strengthen, Supplication, Surely, Treat, Trouble, Verily
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 15:11

     6634   deliverance

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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