Jeremiah 14

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

14:1 The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.
14:2 Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.
14:3 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.
14:4 Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.
14:5 Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because there was no grass.
14:6 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.
14:7 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.
14:8 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? 14:9 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.
14:10 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.
14:11 Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.
14:12 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.
14:13 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.
14:14 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.
14:15 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.
14:16 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.
14:17 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.
14:18 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.
14:19 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! 14:20 We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.
14:21 Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.
14:22 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.


Previous Chapter | Next Chapter
Everything King James Bible:Jeremiah

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Jeremiah
Book: Jeremiah
Chapter: 14

Overview:
A Drought upon the land of Judah. (1-7) A Confession of Sin in
the name of the people. (8-9) The Divine purpose to punish is
declared. (10-16) The people supplicate. (17-22)

1-9 The people were in tears. But it was rather the cry of
their trouble, and of their Sin, than of their Prayer. Let us be
thankful for the Mercy of water, that we may not be taught to
value it By feeling the want of it. See what dependence
husbandmen have upon the Divine Providence. They cannot Plough
nor sow in Hope, unless God water their furrows. The case even
of the wild beasts was very pitiable. The people are not forward
to pray, but the Prophet prays for them. Sin is humbly
confessed. Our sins not only accuse us, but answer against us.
Our best pleas in Prayer are those fetched from the Glory of
God's own name. We should dread God's departure, more than the
removal of our Creature-comforts. He has given Israel his Word
to Hope in. It becomes us in Prayer to show ourselves more
concerned for God's Glory than for our own comfort. And if we
now return to the Lord, he will save us to the Glory of his
Grace.

10-16 The Lord calls the Jews "this people," not "his people."
They had forsaken his service, therefore he would punish them
according to their sins. He forbade Jeremiah to plead for them.
The false prophets were the most criminal. The Lord pronounces
condemnation On them; but as the people loved to have it So,
they were not to escape judgments. False teachers encourage men
to expect peace and Salvation, without Repentance, Faith,
Conversion, and Holiness of Life. But those who believe a Lie
must not plead it for an excuse. They shall feel what they say
they will not fear.

17-22 Jeremiah acknowledged his own sins, and those of the
people, but pleaded with the Lord to remember his Covenant. In
their distress none of the idols of the Gentiles could help
them, nor could the heavens give Rain of themselves. The Lord
will always have a people to plead with him at his Mercy-seat.
He will heal every truly repenting sinner. Should he not see fit
to hear our prayers On behalf of our guilty land, he will
certainly Bless with Salvation all who confess their sins and
seek his Mercy.