By Eugene Garner

JEREMIAH - CHAPTER 14

FAMINE AND INTERCESSION

    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.

    1. When seasonal rains failed to come in the Near East drought, famine and starvation came swiftly.
      a. Jeremiah here relays to Judah and Jerusalem "the word of the Lord" concerning a terrible drought that is about to afflict the land, (comp. 3:3; 12:4; 23:10).
      b. The word reveals that God sometimes withheld the rain as a sign of His displeasure, and as a warning of more severe judgment to follow upon the unrepentant, (Deut. 28:12, 23-24; Amos 4:7-8).
    2. Judah and Jerusalem are here pictured as in deep mourning because of such affliction; the whole land is involved.
      a. Her nobles send their little ones to the cisterns for water, only to have them return with empty jars, and their heads covered as a symbol of perplexity and grief, (vs. 3; comp. 2 Sam. 15:30; 19:4).
      b. Observing the parched soil, her farmers cover their heads in grief and dismay, (vs. 4; comp. Joel 1:11, 19-20).
      c. The hinds deliver their calves, but abandon them because there is no grass or water by which milk may be provided for their sustenance, (vs. 5).
      d. And the wild donkeys stand on the bare hills panting for air - their eyes failing them because there is no herbage, (vs. 6; comp. Job 39:5-8).

    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.

    1. Jeremiah confesses the sinful crookedness of his people - whose backslidings are many, (vs. 7; comp. Isa. 59:12).
    2. He admits that his people do not deserve God's mercy, but God is their only Hope and Saviour in time of trouble, (vs. 8; comp. 17:13; Acts 28:20; Col. 1:27).
    3. Thus, he pleads for God to maintain the honor of His holy name, as the covenant-God of Israel, by manifesting His continuing mercy toward them - a plea that had often been made by others before him, (Ex. 32:11-14; Psa. 25:11; 31:3; 79:9).
    4. Surely God cannot manifest such indifference as might be expected from a stranger who was merely passing through the land! (vs. 8b).
    5. Why should He permit Himself to be regarded by the heathen as "bewildered"? or as a notable warrior whose courage failed when his people faced their greatest need? (vs. 9a; comp. Num. 11:23; Isa. 50:2-3; 50:1-2).
    6. Since He dwells in the midst of this people, who are identified with Him in covenant relationship, failure to act in their behalf will surely diminish His reputation among the heathen! (vs. 9b; comp. Isa. 63:19).
    7. Though forbidden to do so, Jeremiah is so overcome with anguish for his rebellious brethren that he prays for them! His education is not yet complete.

    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. 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.

    1. God soundly rejects Jeremiah's plea for clemency toward Judah; since she has not refrained herself from wandering after other gods, He can no longer accept her; remembering her iniquity, He will surely visit her sins with judgment!(vs. 10; comp. Hos. 8:13).
    2. Again, Jeremiah is forbidden to pray for this people, (vs. 11-12; 7:16; 11:14; comp. Ex.32:9-10).
      a. Though they cry unto Him, in fasting, God will not hear them! (11:11; Isa. 1:15).
      b. Though they bring to Him the appointed burnt and meal-offerings, He will not accept them! (6:20; 7:21-26).
      c. Rebellious Judah will be consumed by sword, famine and disease, (8:13; 21:9-10).

    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.

    1. Jeremiah argues that his people have been grossly misled by false prophets who assure them of a peaceful future - with no sword or famine, (vs. 13; 23:16-17).
    2. The Lord condemns such action on the part of those false prophets whom He has not sent - declaring their words to be lying visions, divinations of no value, and self-deception, (vs. 14; 23:25-32).
    3. The sword and famine which they have declared will not come upon the people will consume the false prophets themselves, (vs. 15; 5:12; Ezek. 14:10).
    4. But, since the people want to be deceived, judgment will fall upon deceiver and deceived alike, (vs. 16; 5:31).
    5. It must be recognized that deception by "false prophets" is just as serious today as in ancient Judah; the man of God must be sure that He is proclaiming THE WORD OF GOD - not the philosophies or wishes of men! (Matt. 7:15; 24:11, 24; 2 Pet. 2:1; l Jn. 4:1).

    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 loathed 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.

    1. It is not quite clear whether the lamentation, of verses 17-18, is that of Jeremiah or his Lord; in fact, both are deeply moved by the wickedness of Judah, (comp. 9:1; 13:17; 8:21; Isa. 37:22; Lam. 1:15; 2:13).
    2. But, in verse 19, it is clearly Jeremiah who is astounded that Jehovah should reject, loathe and smite His people when they looked for healing and for peace, (comp. 30:12-15; 8:15; I Thes. 5:3).
    3. Once again Jeremiah confesses the sins of His people and urges a three-fold basis for His appeal, (vs. 20-21).
      a. God's name, honor and reputation are at stake: He must not despise and abandon the people whom He has called unto Himself, (comp. Gen. 18:23-33).
      b. God's city - the throne of His glory - where He has placed His memorial name forever, (3:17; 17:12).
      c. God's covenant: He knows that if God's covenant-love is abandoned ALL IS LOST for Judah!
    4. Judah has constantly given credit to Baal (a storm-god) for the fertility of the soil, and for the rain in its season, rather than recognizing these things as blessings from Jehovah, (5:24; Hos. 2:5, 8; comp. Jer. 44:17-18).
    5. Jeremiah confesses the sins of his people and declares that "Our hope is in you!" Unfortunately, however, he spoke ONLY FOR HIMSELF: this was NOT the mind or attitude of the nation; thus, they MUST BE PUNISHED!