The two communal laments in Jeremiah 14:1–15:4, spoken by Jeremiah, and which included the unusual responses of judgment instead of salvation from the Lord, are now followed by the Lord’s own lament in Jeremiah 15:5–9. The verbs in this passage are all translated in the past tense because it is assumed that they refer to events that have already taken place. They most likely refer to the events of 597 when Babylon invaded Judah, 10 years before the final invasion.1 This passage has been added here because it follows the themes of the two laments in Jeremiah 14:1–15:4. The lament describes the Lord’s rejection of his people as he first speaks directly to them (Jeremiah 15:5–6) and then to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 15:7–9).2
The lament begins with three questions directed at the people of Judah. Who will have pity on you? Who will grieve for you? Who will turn aside at ask about your welfare? The implied answer to these questions is, No one.
If the Lord has brought his judgment against his people, then there is no one they can turn to for refuge or mercy. There is no one who can save them or even mourn them. If the Lord does not save them then they are truly forsaken.
5 “Who will have pity on you, O Jerusalem, or who will grieve for you? Who will turn aside to ask about your welfare?