Jeremiah was caught in the conflict between God and his people. There was nowhere for him to turn for safety while the struggle continued. God was adamant about Jeremiah’s obedience no matter what it cost him, and the people Jeremiah preached to resented and resisted his messages to the point of threatening his life. Jeremiah’s only comfort was that he was doing the right thing by obeying God.

The prophet was particularly discouraged that he lived in a place suffering under God’s judgment. The people around him made it worse because they thought God had forsaken them.

“How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished. Moreover, the people are saying, ‘He will not see what happens to us.’” Jeremiah 12:4

Behind the scenes things were even worse than Jeremiah knew.

“If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? Your relatives, members of your own family – even they have betrayed you; they have raised a loud cry against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you.” Jeremiah 12:5-6

There seemed to be no refuge for Jeremiah.

The Linen Belt and Full Wineskin

God told Jeremiah to buy a new linen belt or sash and tie it around his waist. Priests usually wore sashes, not prophets, so people would have noticed when Jeremiah put his new sash on. Then God sent him on a long journey, possibly as far as the Euphrates River, and told him to bury the sash in a crevice in a rock. Later he sent him back to dig up the sash which was now rotted and useless.

God told Jeremiah that Israel was like that sash. He bound the people of Judah to himself like a beautiful garment, to bring him glory, but they brought him shame instead.

“This is what the Lord says: ‘I am going to fill with drunkenness all who live in this land, including the kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests, the prophets and all those living in Jerusalem. I will smash them one against the other, parents and children alike, declares the Lord. I will allow no pity or mercy or compassion to keep me from destroying them.’” Jeremiah 13:13-14

Judah’s punishment had already begun with a drought so severe people and animals were dying of thirst.

“The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns but find no water. They return with their jars unfilled; dismayed and despairing, they cover their heads. The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land; the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads. Even the doe in the field deserts her newborn fawn because there is no grass.” Jeremiah 14:3-5

The situation was desperate.

An Argument Between God and Judah

The people of Judah knew that only God could end the drought. Their idols couldn’t help them. In fact, the idols were one of the reasons God’s wrath came upon Judah. Still, the people told the Lord that he should help them based on their long history with him. They had sinned countless times before and God forgave them. They couldn’t see how this time was different; they believed the Lord would come and rescue them when they called.

“Although our sins testify against us, do something, Lord, for the sake of your name. For we have often rebelled; we have sinned against you . . . Why are you like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? You are among us, Lord, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!” Jeremiah 14:7

This time was different, though. God hated the Israelite’s show of pious worship while the rest of their behavior offended him so deeply. They pretended to obey him but their hearts strayed in all directions.

“This is what the Lord says about this people: ‘They greatly love to wander; they do not restrain their feet. So the Lord does not accept them; he will now remember their wickedness and punish them for their sins.’” Jeremiah 14:10

The greatest thing about God’s grace and forgiveness is that he forgets the sins of those who seek his forgiveness. Psalm 103:8-10 says,

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” Psalm 103:8-10

The Israelites wanted God to forget their sins even while they didn’t repent.

God Forbids Intercession for Judah

“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Do not pray for the well-being of this people. Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.’” Jeremiah 14:11-12

One of Jeremiah’s jobs was to intercede for Judah so this revelation from God was a shock. In fact, Jeremiah challenged it because none of the other prophets in Judah were preaching this kind of bleak message.

“But I said, ‘Alas, Sovereign Lord! The prophets keep telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine. Indeed, I will give you lasting peace in this place.’” Jeremiah 14:13

A prophet wondered if he was mistaken when the other prophets preached messages completely opposite to his. All of the prophets claimed that God spoke through them – and only time would tell whose prophecies were right. In the meantime, God assured Jeremiah that he was the one with the true message.

“Then the Lord said to me, ‘The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds . . . Those same prophets will perish by sword and famine . . . I will pour out on them the calamity they deserve.’” Jeremiah 14:14-16

Jeremiah had to do what God told him to do, even if it meant not praying for Judah’s deliverance anymore.

Judah is Doomed

Jeremiah 15:1-9 gives a preview of what God’s final judgment will look like. There will come a day when people’s destiny is decided and they face either salvation or doom. There will be no more intercession, no more time to repent. It will be too late for those who never reconciled with God.

“Then the Lord said to me: ‘Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people. Send them away from my presence! Let them go! And if they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ tell them, “this is what the Lord says: ‘Those destined for death, to death; those for the sword, to the sword; those for starvation, to starvation; those for captivity, to captivity.’” Jeremiah 15:1-2

There was no appeals process for the condemned — once God made up his mind.

Jeremiah Complains

People cursed Jeremiah for telling them the truth, but his future didn’t look any brighter than theirs, since he lived in the land God was planning to destroy. He wanted some assurance from God that he would survive Judah’s demise.

“Lord, you understand; remember me and care for me. Avenge me on my persecutors. You are long-suffering – do not take me away; think of how I suffer reproach for your sake. When your words came I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.” Jeremiah 15:15-16

Jeremiah blamed God for his suffering and complained about it.

“Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? You are to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails.” Jeremiah 15:18

Complaining like this was a sin. Deep in his heart Jeremiah rebelled against God’s plan for him and felt he should be rewarded for basic obedience. The Lord replied to Jeremiah:

“If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.” Jeremiah 15:19

This prophet’s reward was that he got to go on being a prophet, but God also promised to be with him to rescue him. Stuck in the middle with an angry God on one side and angry sinners on the other, this promise was the best Jeremiah could have hoped for. Suffering was inevitable in this situation, but with God on his side Jeremiah was going to survive.