(This DRAFT study has been done fairly quickly, without the further guide of commentaries. I hope to improve on it later.)
Jeremiah has bee warning the people of a coming storm of judgment and destruction.
Jeremiah 14:1-6, Drought
This is the word of the LORD to Jeremiah concerning the drought:
"Judah mourns,
her cities languish;
they wail for the land,
and a cry goes up from Jerusalem.
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.
The ground is cracked
because there is no rain in the land;
the farmers are dismayed
and cover their heads.
Even the doe in the field
deserts her newborn fawn
because there is no grass.
Wild donkeys stand on the barren heights
and pant like jackals;
their eyesight fails for lack of pasture."
The effect of a disastrous drought is described.
Jeremiah 14:7-9, Staying only a night
Although our sins testify against us, O LORD,
do something for the sake of your name.
For our backsliding is great;
we have sinned against you.
O 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?
Why are you like a man taken by surprise,
like a warrior powerless to save?
You are among us, O LORD,
and we bear your name;
do not forsake us!
God seems to intervene only briefly; the problems deepen. Jeremiah begs that YHWH not forsake them.
Jeremiah 14:10, Unrestrained feet
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."
YHWH's response is that the people stubbornly insist on going their own way.
Jeremiah 14:11-12, Do not pray
Then the LORD said to me, "Do not pray for the well-being of this people. 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."
A plague is coming. The people act in hypocrisy. God tells Jeremiah that it is useless to even pray about it!
Jeremiah 14:13-16, Lying in God's name
But I said, "Ah, 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.'"
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 and the delusions of their own minds.
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. 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 or their wives, their sons or their daughters. I will pour out on them the calamity they deserve.
There are prophets claiming that all is well. But not only is destruction coming, but those lying in God's name will face an extraordinarily sharp judgment.
Jeremiah 14:17-18, Eyes overflowing with tears
"Speak this word to them:
"`Let my eyes overflow with tears night
and day without ceasing;
for my virgin daughter--my people--
has suffered a grievous wound, a crushing blow.
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.'"
God says that He weeps as He sees their actions and its consequences.
Jeremiah 14:19, Only terror
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.
Jeremiah cries out, "Have you completely rejected us?"
Jeremiah 14:20-22, Please remember your covenant!
LORD, we acknowledge our wickedness
and the guilt of our fathers;
we have indeed sinned against you.
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.
Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain?
Do the skies themselves send down showers?
No, it is you,
O LORD our God.
Therefore our hope is in you,
for you are the one who does all this.
Acknowledging their sinfulness, Jeremiah prays for the salvation of his people and affirms that their hope is only in YHWH.
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