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Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 15 - Verse 18

15:18
Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?

Meaning

Jeremiah 15:18 is a poignant cry of anguish and despair by the prophet Jeremiah. In this verse, Jeremiah expresses his profound distress over the seemingly never-ending nature of his pain and suffering. The use of the word "perpetual" underscores the depth of his agony, while the reference to an "incurable wound" emphasizes the idea that his suffering is beyond remedy. Jeremiah questions why God has allowed his pain to persist and why his wounds refuse to heal, leading him to wonder if God has forsaken him or deceived him. By comparing God to a liar and waters that fail, Jeremiah is expressing his frustration and disappointment with what he perceives as God's lack of intervention or faithfulness. This verse offers a glimpse into the deep emotional struggles that Jeremiah faced as a prophet, and serves as a reminder that even the most faithful servants of God can experience doubt and despair during times of trial.

Theological Overview

Verse 18 in Jeremiah 15 expresses the deep anguish and despair of the prophet Jeremiah as he questions why his pain seems never-ending and his wounds refuse to heal. The word "perpetual" in this verse indicates a sense of constant, unceasing suffering that Jeremiah is experiencing. The word "incurable" suggests that his wounds are so deep and severe that they seem impossible to heal. Jeremiah's lament continues as he questions whether God has deceived him, likening God to a liar and waters that fail, implying a sense of betrayal and disappointment in God's actions towards him.

In a theological interpretation of this verse, some scholars suggest that Jeremiah's questioning reflects the reality of human suffering and the struggle to make sense of it in light of one's faith in God. It raises important questions about the nature of God's faithfulness and the presence of suffering in the world. Some translations of this verse use the word "deceived" instead of "liar", emphasizing the idea of God potentially misleading or disappointing Jeremiah in some way. Overall, this verse highlights the complex and sometimes fraught relationship between human suffering and divine intervention, inviting readers to reflect on the dynamics of trust and doubt in their own spiritual journeys.

American Standard Version

Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou indeed be unto me as a deceitful [brook], as waters that fail?
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