Outline
“The Discouraged Prophet” (Jeremiah 15:10-16:21)

Intro/Set-up: Review from Jeremiah 13:1-15:9

I. Woe and Comfort (15:10-14 )
- A Lonely Role
- The Lord’s Reassurance

II. Lamentation and Admonishment (15:15-21)
- Jeremiah’s Plea (vv. 15-18)
- The Lord Admonishes and Reassures (vv. 19-21)

III. Advise, Promise and Praise (Ch. 16 )
- A Word for the Days Ahead (vv. 1-9)
- When They Ask “Why?” (vv. 10-13)
- A Promise to Hold Onto (vv. 14-15)
- But First this Must Happen… (vv. 16-18)
- Closing Praise (vv. 19-20)

IV. Conclusion
- And They Shall Know… (v. 21)
- Summary Thoughts

“Loneliness is a required course for leadership.” –Elisabeth Elliot

“Though God said He would take care of His Prophet Jeremiah in the coming crisis, it did not mean that the fate of Judah generally had changed. The weapons of Babylon — made with strong northern iron and the bronze — would surely come against them… Not only was the judgment and conquest of Judah certain, but they would also be exiled from their land into the unknown land of their enemies.” –David Guzik

“One minute he was affirming the Lord’s longsuffering and his own faithfulness to the Word, and the next minute he was crying out with pain because of the suffering of his people and the difficulty of his work. He even suggested that God had lied to him when He called him and that God was “like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails” (v. 18 niv; see Job 6:15–20).” –Warren Wiersbe

“Jeremiah had a true trust in God and connection to His Word, yet this did not remove the crisis. There were still times when his pain seemed perpetual and he feared God might not be faithful to him — as an unreliable stream. This was a genuine challenge to Jeremiah’s faith in God’s goodness and power.” –David Guzik

James 1:2-6, 12, 21-22

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind...
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him...
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

“God’s answer may have shocked the prophet, for the Lord told him he needed to repent! “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman” (Jer. 15:19 niv). Because of his attitude toward God and his calling, Jeremiah was about to forfeit his ministry! In some ways, he was mirroring the words and attitudes of the people of Judah when they questioned God.” –Warren Wiersbe

“The Lord usually balances rebuke with reassurance. He promised once again to make Jeremiah a fortified wall and give him victory over all his enemies. Jeremiah had to learn to walk by faith, which meant obeying God’s word no matter how he felt, what he saw, or what others might do to him. God never promised Jeremiah an easy job, but He did promise him all that he needed to do his work faithfully.” –Warren Wiersbe

“Is it unusual for chosen servants of God to become discouraged and endanger their own ministries? No, because every servant of God is human and subject to the weaknesses of human nature. Moses became discouraged and wanted to die (Num. 11:10–15); Joshua was ready to quit and leave the Promised Land (Josh. 7:6–11); Elijah even abandoned his place of duty and hoped to die (1 Kings 19); and Jonah became so angry he refused to help the very people he came to save (Jonah 4)! God doesn’t want us to ignore our feelings, because that would make us less than human, but He does want us to trust Him to change our feelings and start walking by faith (see 2 Cor. 1:3–11).” –Warren Wiersbe

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen… 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” –Hebrews 11:1, 6

Jeremiah Resources:

Jeremiah Summary (GotQuestions.org):
https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Jeremiah.html

Jeremiah Overview (The Bible Project):
https://youtu.be/RSK36cHbrk0?si=8B_qBCTeUrqHcvfI

Recommended Reading:

"The Awe of God" (Author: John Bevere)
https://a.co/d/aYj3Ver

Charles Spurgeon sermon from Jeremiah Chapter 3:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0762.cfm

E.M. Bounds "On Prayer"
https://a.co/d/iouYVO8

Additional Resources:

Adrian Rogers Article: “Righteousness Exalts A Nation”
https://www.westernjournal.com/rogers-hamilton-right-people-government-deserve/

GotQuestions Article(s):

"What Does it Mean that God Draws us to Salvation?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/drawn-salvation.html

"What is the Meaning of the Parable of the Unjust Steward? (Luke 16:1-13)"
https://www.gotquestions.org/parable-unjust-steward.html