◄ Jeremiah 15:21 ►
I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless."
Study Bible
I will deliver you
The phrase "I will deliver you" is a powerful promise from God, emphasizing His role as a rescuer and protector. The Hebrew root for "deliver" is "נצל" (natsal), which conveys the idea of snatching away or rescuing from danger. This assurance reflects God's sovereignty and His ability to intervene in the lives of His people. Historically, this promise would have been particularly comforting to Jeremiah, who faced intense opposition and persecution. It serves as a reminder that God is actively involved in the lives of His followers, providing a way out of seemingly impossible situations.

from the hand of the wicked
The "hand" in biblical terms often symbolizes power or control. The Hebrew word "יד" (yad) is used here, indicating the influence or grasp that the wicked have over others. The "wicked" refers to those who are morally wrong or guilty, often opposing God's will. In Jeremiah's context, this could refer to the corrupt leaders and false prophets of Judah who were leading the people astray. This phrase reassures believers that no matter how powerful or oppressive the wicked may seem, God's deliverance is certain and His justice will prevail.

and redeem you
The term "redeem" comes from the Hebrew "גאל" (ga'al), which means to buy back or reclaim. This word is rich with theological significance, often used in the context of a kinsman-redeemer who restores a family member's rights or property. In a broader spiritual sense, it points to God's redemptive work through Christ, who redeems humanity from sin. For Jeremiah, this promise of redemption would have been a beacon of hope, signifying restoration and a return to God's favor despite the nation's unfaithfulness.

from the grasp of the ruthless
The "grasp" signifies a firm hold or control, similar to the "hand" mentioned earlier. The Hebrew word "כף" (kaf) is used, which can also mean palm or hollow of the hand, indicating a tight grip. The "ruthless" are those who are cruel and merciless, often exploiting others for their gain. In Jeremiah's time, this could refer to foreign oppressors or internal tyrants who showed no compassion. This phrase underscores God's promise to liberate His people from those who oppress them without mercy, highlighting His justice and compassion.

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

2. The Wicked
Refers to those who oppose God's will and persecute His prophets, often representing the broader sinful society of Judah at the time.

3. The Ruthless
Those who are merciless and cruel, often seen as oppressors or enemies of God's people.

4. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment and exile due to its persistent sin and rebellion against God.

5. God
The sovereign Lord who promises deliverance and redemption to His faithful servant, Jeremiah, amidst adversity.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in Deliverance
Just as God promised to deliver Jeremiah, He remains faithful to deliver His people today from spiritual and physical adversities.

Trust in God's Redemption
Believers are called to trust in God's power to redeem them from the grasp of sin and evil influences.

Facing Opposition with Courage
Like Jeremiah, Christians may face opposition for their faith, but they can be assured of God's protection and support.

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
The presence of the wicked and ruthless highlights the ongoing spiritual battle believers face, necessitating reliance on God's strength.

Hope in God's Promises
The assurance of deliverance and redemption provides hope and encouragement to persevere through trials.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jeremiah's experience of opposition and God's promise of deliverance encourage you in your current challenges?

2. In what ways can you apply the promise of God's redemption in Jeremiah 15:21 to your personal spiritual battles?

3. How do the connections to other scriptures, such as Psalm 34:17-19, enhance your understanding of God's deliverance?

4. What practical steps can you take to trust in God's faithfulness when facing "the wicked" or "the ruthless" in your life?

5. How can the assurance of God's deliverance and redemption influence your witness to others who are experiencing trials?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 34:17-19
This passage speaks of the Lord's deliverance of the righteous from their troubles, echoing the promise of deliverance in Jeremiah 15:21.

Isaiah 43:1-2
God reassures His people of His presence and redemption, similar to His promise to Jeremiah.

2 Timothy 4:18
Paul expresses confidence in the Lord's deliverance from evil, paralleling the assurance given to Jeremiah.

Exodus 6:6
God's promise to redeem Israel from Egyptian bondage reflects His ongoing commitment to deliver His people.
Sermons
The Preacher's Weakness and StrengthA.F. Muir Jeremiah 15:19-21
People
Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Manasseh, Samuel
Places
Jerusalem, Zion
Topics
Cruel, Deliver, Delivered, Doers, Evil, Evil-doers, Grasp, Hands, Ones, Ransomed, Redeem, Ruthless, Safe, Salvation, Terrible, Violent, Wicked, Yea
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 15:21

     1315   God, as redeemer
     6722   redemption, OT

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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