Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 15 - Verse 10

The verse "Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me." expresses the deep sense of sadness and despair felt by the speaker. The speaker laments the fact that they have been perceived as a troublemaker and source of conflict to the entire world, despite their innocence in financial matters. The mention of usury, the practice of lending money at excessive interest rates, highlights the speaker's integrity and honesty in financial dealings. Despite their upright behavior, the speaker faces criticism and curse from others, further adding to their distress. This verse serves as a poignant reminder of the suffering and persecution that individuals may face, even when they have done nothing wrong.

Jeremiah 15:10 laments the prophet's distress in being chosen by God as a controversial figure with a message that brings him strife and contention. The phrase "man of strife" and "man of contention" emphasize the difficulty of Jeremiah's prophetic calling. Despite his personal integrity in refraining from engaging in usury, the practice of making unethical loans with exorbitant interest rates, the prophet still faces curses from those who oppose his message. This verse is a powerful reminder of the hardships faced by those who are faithful to God's calling, even when it brings them into conflict with the world. It serves as a warning to all believers that following God's will may lead to suffering and persecution, but ultimately brings honor and reward in His sight.