Jeremiah — Chapter 15
Synopsis: God is inexorable: even Moses and Samuel could not change His mind. Jeremiah's lament over his own prophetic burden — 'Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me, a man of strife.' God promises to protect Jeremiah personally even while destroying the nation.
Verse 16
Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and thy word was to me a joy and gladness of my heart: for thy name is called upon me, O Lord God of hosts. Jeremiah 'eating' God's word = the prophet's total absorption of divine revelation, making it his substance. Lapide: this is the model of lectio divina — Scripture must be eaten (made interior, assimilated as spiritual food) not merely read.