Jeremiah 14

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The Drought

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1 The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:

2 Judah mourns; her gates languish. Her people are on the ground in mourning; Jerusalem’s cry rises up.

Isaiah 3:26, Jeremiah 11:11, Zecheriah 7:13

3 Their nobles send their servants for water. They go to the cisterns; they find no water; their containers return empty. They are ashamed and humiliated; they cover their heads.

2 Samuel 15:30, 2 Kings 18:5, 2 Kings 18:31

4 The ground is cracked since no rain has fallen on the land. The farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads.

Hosea 5:5

5 Even the doe in the field gives birth and abandons her fawn since there is no grass.

6 Wild donkeys stand on the barren heights panting for air like jackals. Their eyes fail because there are no green plants.

Joel 1:18

7 Though our guilt testifies against us, Yahweh, act for Your name’s sake. Indeed, our rebellions are many; we have sinned against You.

8 Hope of Israel, its Savior in time of distress, why are You like a foreigner in the land, like a traveler stopping only for the night?

Psalm 9:9, Isaiah 43:3, Isaiah 63:8,Jeremiah 17:13

9 Why are You like a helpless man, like a warrior unable to save? Yet You are among us, Yahweh, and we are called by Your name. Don’t leave us!

Numbers 11:23, Psalm 46:5, Isaiah 50:2, Isaiah 63:19,Jeremiah 8:19, Jeremiah 15:16

10 This is what the Lord says concerning these people: Truly they love to wander; they never rest their feet. So the Lord does not accept them. Now He will remember their guilt and punish their sins.

1 This message came to Jeremiah from the Lord, explaining why he was holding back the rain:

2 “Judah wilts; commerce at the city gates grinds to a halt. All the people sit on the ground in mourning, and a great cry rises from Jerusalem.

3 The nobles send servants to get water, but all the wells are dry. The servants return with empty pitchers, confused and desperate, covering their heads in grief.

4 The ground is parched and cracked for lack of rain. The farmers are deeply troubled; they, too, cover their heads.

5 Even the doe abandons her newborn fawn because there is no grass in the field.

6 The wild donkeys stand on the bare hills panting like thirsty jackals. They strain their eyes looking for grass, but there is none to be found.”

7 The people say, “Our wickedness has caught up with us, Lord, but help us for the sake of your own reputation. We have turned away from you and sinned against you again and again.

8 O Hope of Israel, our Savior in times of trouble, why are you like a stranger to us? Why are you like a traveler passing through the land, stopping only for the night?

9 Are you also confused? Is our champion helpless to save us? You are right here among us, Lord. We are known as your people. Please don’t abandon us now!”

10 So this is what the Lord says to his people: “You love to wander far from me and do not restrain yourselves. Therefore, I will no longer accept you as my people. Now I will remember all your wickedness and will punish you for your sins.”

1 This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:

2 “Judah mourns, her cities languish; they wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem.

3 The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns but find no water. They return with their jars unfilled; dismayed and despairing, they cover their heads.

4 The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land; the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads.

5 Even the doe in the field deserts her newborn fawn because there is no grass.

6 Wild donkeys stand on the barren heights and pant like jackals; their eyes fail for lack of food.”

7 Although our sins testify against us, do something, Lord, for the sake of your name. For we have often rebelled; we have sinned against you.

8 You who are the hope of Israel, its Savior in times of distress, why are you like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who stays only a night?

9 Why are you like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? You are among us, Lord, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!

10 This is what the Lord says about this people: “They greatly love to wander; they do not restrain their feet. So the Lord does not accept them; he will now remember their wickedness and punish them for their sins.”

1 The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.

2 Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

3 And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.

4 Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.

5 Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because there was no grass.

6 And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because there was no grass.

7 O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.

8 O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

9 Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.

10 Thus saith the Lord unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the Lord doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.

False Prophets to be Punished

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11 Then the Lord said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of these people.

12 If they fast, I will not hear their cry of despair. If they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. Rather, I will finish them off by sword, famine, and plague.”

13 And I replied, “Oh no, Lord God! The prophets are telling them, ‘You won’t see sword or suffer famine. I will certainly give you true peace in this place.’”

14 But the Lord said to me, “These prophets are prophesying a lie in My name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, worthless divination, the deceit of their own minds.

15 “Therefore, this is what the Lord says concerning the prophets who prophesy in My name, though I did not send them, and who say, ‘There will never be sword or famine in this land.’ By sword and famine these prophets will meet their end.

16 The people they are prophesying to will be thrown into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword. There will be no one to bury them—they, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. I will pour out their own evil on them.”

11 Then the Lord said to me, “Do not pray for these people anymore.

12 When they fast, I will pay no attention. When they present their burnt offerings and grain offerings to me, I will not accept them. Instead, I will devour them with war, famine, and disease.”

13 Then I said, “O Sovereign Lord, their prophets are telling them, ‘All is well—no war or famine will come. The Lord will surely send you peace.’”

14 Then the Lord said, “These prophets are telling lies in my name. I did not send them or tell them to speak. I did not give them any messages. They prophesy of visions and revelations they have never seen or heard. They speak foolishness made up in their own lying hearts.

15 Therefore, this is what the Lord says: I will punish these lying prophets, for they have spoken in my name even though I never sent them. They say that no war or famine will come, but they themselves will die by war and famine!

16 As for the people to whom they prophesy—their bodies will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and war. There will be no one left to bury them. Husbands, wives, sons, and daughters—all will be gone. For I will pour out their own wickedness on them.

11 Then the Lord said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people.

12 Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.”

13 But I said, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! The prophets keep telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine. Indeed, I will give you lasting peace in this place.’”

14 Then the Lord said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries[a] and the delusions of their own minds.

15 Therefore this is what the Lord says about the prophets who are prophesying in my name: I did not send them, yet they are saying, ‘No sword or famine will touch this land.’ Those same prophets will perish by sword and famine.

16 And the people they are prophesying to will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and sword. There will be no one to bury them, their wives, their sons and their daughters. I will pour out on them the calamity they deserve.

11 Then said the Lord unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.

12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

13 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.

14 Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

15 Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.

Jeremiah's Request

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17 You are to speak this word to them: Let my eyes overflow with tears; day and night may they not stop, for the virgin daughter of my people has been destroyed by a great disaster, an extremely severe wound.

18 If I go out to the field, look—those slain by the sword! If I enter the city, look—those ill from famine! For both prophet and priest travel to a land they do not know.

19 Have You completely rejected Judah? Do You detest Zion? Why do You strike us with no hope of healing for us? We hoped for peace, but there was nothing good; for a time of healing, but there was only terror.

20 We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord, the guilt of our fathers; indeed, we have sinned against You.

21 Because of Your name, don’t despise us. Don’t disdain Your glorious throne. Remember Your covenant with us; do not break it.

22 Can any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Or can the skies alone give showers? Are You not the Lord our God? We therefore put our hope in You, for You have done all these things.

17 Now, Jeremiah, say this to them: “Night and day my eyes overflow with tears. I cannot stop weeping, for my virgin daughter—my precious people—has been struck down and lies mortally wounded.

18 If I go out into the fields, I see the bodies of people slaughtered by the enemy. If I walk the city streets, I see people who have died of starvation. The prophets and priests continue with their work, but they don’t know what they’re doing.”

19 Lord, have you completely rejected Judah? Do you really hate Jerusalem? Why have you wounded us past all hope of healing? We hoped for peace, but no peace came. We hoped for a time of healing, but found only terror.

20 Lord, we confess our wickedness and that of our ancestors, too. We all have sinned against you.

21 For the sake of your reputation, Lord, do not abandon us. Do not disgrace your own glorious throne. Please remember us, and do not break your covenant with us.

22 Can any of the worthless foreign gods send us rain? Does it fall from the sky by itself? No, you are the one, O Lord our God! Only you can do such things. So we will wait for you to help us.

17 “Speak this word to them: “‘Let my eyes overflow with tears night and day without ceasing; for the Virgin Daughter, my people, has suffered a grievous wound, a crushing blow.

18 If I go into the country, I see those slain by the sword; if I go into the city, I see the ravages of famine. Both prophet and priest have gone to a land they know not.’”

19 Have you rejected Judah completely? Do you despise Zion? Why have you afflicted us so that we cannot be healed? We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there is only terror.

20 We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord, and the guilt of our ancestors; we have indeed sinned against you.

21 For the sake of your name do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us and do not break it.

22 Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.

17 Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

18 If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

19 Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!

20 We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.

21 Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.

22 Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O Lord our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.

Study Notes

Study Notes - Jeremiah 14:1-15:21

This section opens with God sending a drought on Judah and refusing to answer the people's prayers for rain. It continues with Jeremiah's description of the judgment to come.

Study Notes - Jeremiah 14:1-22

Drought was a judgment with devastating consequences. As usual, when their backs were to the wall, the people cried out to God. They thought their privileged position as God's covenant people would save them. But God rejected their pleas because they did not repent; He knew that they merely wanted His rescue. Neither their privileged history nor Jeremiah's prayers on their behalf would help. Their only hope was to turn sincerely to God.

Study Notes - Jeremiah 14:7-9

The people were crying out to God, but only to manipulate Him into sending rain to end the devastating drought. Instead of repenting for their sin, they appealed to God's reputation and accused Him of acting like a stranger. They accused God of being confused or helpless to save them. Today, people attempt to coerce God by promising to become better or serve Him in return for Him answering their prayers. They pray self-serving prayers and do not seek what God wants. How much better to confess our sins and ask for His will to be done in our lives.

Study Notes - Jeremiah 14:10

The people of Israel loved to wander far from God. They could not refrain from worshipping idols. Hosea noticed a similar pattern (Hosea 7:16). Like sheep without a shepherd, we all share the tendency to wander far from God (Isaiah 53:6. When you sense that you are going down the wrong path or drifting away from God, stop and ponder the possible consequences. Then sincerely look up to God, acknowledge you've been going the wrong way, and ask Him to show you the way back.

Study Notes - Jeremiah 14:11-12

The people of Judah had stretched God's patience. Their false repentance and empty rituals had continued long enough, and God refused to listen to their cries. For a third time, God told Jeremiah not to pray for the people. Why would God listen to the people's prayers when they considered Him less important than handmade idols of wood and stone? Why not let the idols answer their prayers? If you are trusting something besides God when all is going well, you will likely still trust in this false god when trouble comes. Don't wait until trouble comes and then try to transfer your allegiance to the one true God. Trust Him now.

Study Notes - Jeremiah 14:14

What made the people listen to and support the false prophets? These "prophets" said what the people wanted to hear. False teachers can gain fame and money by telling people what they want to hear, but they lead people away from God. If we permit and accommodate false teachers, we are as guilty as they are.

Study Notes - Jeremiah 14:19-22

Interceding from the people, Jeremiah asked God if Judah's repentance would bring His help. But God refused to come to the people's aid (Jeremiah 15:1) because they were insincere, wicked, and stubborn. He knew their hearts. The people knew God wanted to bless them, and they knew what they needed to do to receive that blessing. They wanted God to do His part, but they did not want to do theirs. It's easy to express sorrow for sinful actions, especially when we want something, but we must be willing to stop doing what is wrong. God will forgive those who are truly repentant, but He sees right through the flase hearts of hypocrites.

Cross-References

1. Jeremiah 14:11 >> Jeremiah 11:14
2. Jeremiah 14:17 >> Jeremiah 10:18

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