Jeremiah 15:2

“And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity.”

Jeremiah 15:2 is a verse from the book of Jeremiah, which is considered one of the major prophets in the Old Testament. Jeremiah served as a prophet during the tumultuous period leading up to and during the Babylonian exile of Judah.

In this verse, the Lord is speaking to the prophet Jeremiah and giving him a message to convey to the people. It starts with the phrase, “And it shall come to pass if they say unto thee.” This indicates that the message is in response to a question or concern posed by the people of Judah.

The people are inquiring about where they should go for safety or protection. They are likely feeling overwhelmed by the impending judgment and destruction that is to come upon them. However, instead of offering a message of hope or refuge, the Lord instructs Jeremiah to give a sobering response.

The Lord declares, “Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity.” This response reveals that God’s judgment upon the people of Judah is inevitable and will come in various forms: death, the sword, famine, and captivity.

It is important to note that this verse reflects the specific context of Jeremiah’s time. The people of Judah had turned away from God, engaging in idolatry and practising social injustice. Despite Jeremiah’s warnings and pleas for repentance, the people continued to disobey and reject God’s ways. As a result, God’s judgment was imminent.

This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of unfaithfulness and disobedience to God. It portrays the severity of the judgment that awaited the people of Judah. However, it is crucial to consider the broader message of the book of Jeremiah, which also includes messages of hope, restoration, and the promise of a future redemption for God’s people.

In summary, Jeremiah 15:2 conveys God’s response to the people’s inquiry about where they should go for safety. Instead of providing solace, God reveals that His judgment will befall them in the form of death, the sword, famine, and captivity. This verse underscores the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God, while also pointing to the need for repentance and the hope of restoration.