Jeremiah 9:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For this reason, the Lord declares. He does not say, "He does this," but rather, "He declares this." Thus far, these are mere words and, if you will, they shall remain words eternally. If He speaks for any purpose, eliminate that purpose. Should anger be an emotion, there would be cause for dread; yet if He speaks, then let that reason be vanquished, and it shall not be uttered. The God of Israel is neither a stranger nor cruel, nor devoid of compassion. Recall the time when Israel was called. Behold, I will provide these people with anguish, and I will give them bitter water to drink. I will turn their lives very bitter; when the soul is in distress, sustenance loses its essence.

Thus declares the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel: Look, I will provide this people with bitterness and give them poisonous drink; I will disperse them among nations that neither they nor their ancestors have known, and I will pursue them with the sword until their destruction. This may refer to the immediate period of their captivity by the Chaldeans, but it more significantly points to the time when they were scattered among unfamiliar nations, enduring oppression and calamity. They were made to drink from the cup of suffering, representing the intensity of their afflictions and the unending bonds of servitude, or it might indicate that through ignorance of God’s law, they would accept Antichrist in place of Christ. A sword is sent to them for their ultimate destruction, or to separate them to prevent their combined wrongdoing, that they may be consumed by their iniquity.

Because of this, I will provide these individuals with sustenance, and I will offer them bitter water to drink. This symbolizes a life marked by bitterness and grief.