Ever since Jeremiah had been called as a young man to be a prophet (Jeremiah 1:1–19), he had not experienced the normal joys and pleasures of life (see Jeremiah 15:17). He has now forgotten what peace and prosperity must feel like.
Finally, he expresses the thought that must have often come to him. Is it possible that, after all the wickedness of his people, the Lord has left them without any hope of restoration?
16 He has made my teeth grind on gravel, and made me cower in ashes;