Devotional Commentary to Jeremiah 14

 

In this chapter Jeremiah received from the Lord messages regarding droughts (verse 1). The vision is one of gates broken and young ones sent to find some water (verse 3). They came to pits but there was no water. There was no rain on the earth and the farmers have covered their heads (verse 4). The hind abandoned the young for there is no grass (verse 5). At the rivulets there are no water and donkeys are standing there. There is no herbage (verse 6).

 

The issue is backsliding and sinning and this iniquity testify against them and God can act accordingly (verse 7).

 

Jeremiah offered a prayer: In Time of Trouble (verse 8) O hope of Israel, the remnant’s Savior, why should God be like a stranger and a wayfarer that turns aside to lodge when the remnant is supposed to entertain God. Why is God like someone who is overcame or a mighty man unable to save the remnant? You are in our midst and since you name is upon us forsake us not (verse 9).

 

The answer is provided to Jeremiah’s question regarding God’s distancing: “So have they loved to wander, the have kept their feet back, therefore the Lord did not accept them, now will He remember their iniquity and visit their sins upon them” (verse 10). This supplies the answer of the dilemma Jeremiah tried to sketch in verses 8-9.

 

God asked Jeremiah not to pray for this people (verse 11). Even if they fast He will not listen to their prayer, if they offer it will not be accepted. Their destruction will be by the sword, famine, and pestilence (verse 12).

 

Their bad prophets said to them that they will not see the sword or famine and that He will give them a “true peace in this place” (verse 13).

 

But they are lying said the Lord to Jeremiah. They did not get their commission from the Lord. “A false vision divination, a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart they prophesy to you” (verse 14). Their punishment: they shall perish by the sword and famine (verse 15).

 

The audience of the prophets who liked them very much, is heading for disaster also: “shall be cast in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword, and no one will bury them, their wives, their sons and their daughters and upon them their evil will be poured (verse 16).

 

And the reaction of God to all this pain? “May My eyes run down with tears day and night and not be silent, for the virgin daughter of My people is broken with a great breach, a very grievous blow” (verse 17). God in tears. It is no pleasure to see His own creatures die or suffer in pain.

 

In the field they are slain by the sword and in the city they suffer famine (verse 18). Prophet and priest are exiled to a distant land (verse 18).

 

In the vision Jeremiah could see that the Lord will reject Judah and despised Zion, smite with no cure and in the place of peace, terror will reign (verse 19).

 

Jeremiah admitted their guilt “we know O Lord our wickedness, the iniquity of our forefathers, for we have sinned to You” (verse 20). He asked that the Lord do not condemn them for His name sake and that He does not disgrace the throne of His glory (verse 21). “Remember, do not break Your covenant with us” (verse 22).

 

Rain is from God not from humans (verse 22).

 

Dear God

The reality of sin is that there are results and when it is our sins as faithful, then we hurt You very deeply. Forgive us if we are similar to them and remember Your covenant also with us. Amen