Jeremiah 14
-The true prophet of doom
continues to speak to Word of the LORD now concerning a severe drought that is
coming upon the land due to God’s wrath over their unrepentant sin. They are
put to shame and cover their heads in disgrace because their iniquities testify
against them (Jeremiah 14:1-7a). There is a plea for mercy by the prophet and
an acknowledgment of the nation’s sins and apostasies. The cry is that He will
not forsake them (Jeremiah 14:7b-9). God’s reply indicates that He is totally
fed up with their wandering away from Him and their behavior is absolutely
unacceptable. Therefore, He will now remember their iniquity and call their
sins into account. The LORD tells Jeremiah not to even pray for their welfare.
He will listen to their cry in fasting nor accept their burnt or grain
offerings. Rather, He is going to make an end of them by the 1. Sword, 2.
Famine, and 3. Pestilence (Jeremiah 14:10-12). *Application* The Father will
not be mocked. We do not have the license to do anything we want as His
children and expect to get away with it unconcerned about His corrective wrath.
This was the tragic mistake in Judah and unfortunately it can be for us as
well. There are always consequences to our sin, and sometimes, when God has had
enough, it can get very ugly. Like the old saying goes, “If you can’t pay the
time, don’t commit the crime.” God sees into the depths of our heart and knows
the difference between worldly guilt and Godly sorrow. If we really are to turn
to Him, everything must change from the heart extending out to our words and
actions.
-The false prophets are dealt
with in the next phase of this chapter. Jeremiah gives what he is hearing to
the LORD as these false prophets are expressing appeasement and comforting
words to the people concerning lasting peace and the famine (Jeremiah 14:13). The LORD’s reply is haunting, “The prophets
are prophesying falsehood in My Name. I have neither sent them nor commanded
them nor spoken to them; they are prophesying to you a false vision,
divination, futility and the deception of their own minds (Jeremiah 14:14).”
God extends His wrath upon them for their deliberate misinformation and assures
the true prophet that His Word is accurate and will be fulfilled (Jeremiah
14:15-18).
-In the last section of Scripture
in this chapter, Jeremiah cries out again for God’s mercy as he sees the
rejection of the LORD and horror of a people who have forgotten their true
King. He appeals to God’s covenant promises and in true prophetic fashion he
acknowledges the greatness of the Living God as the only hope (Jeremiah
14:19-22). Although no assurance is given at this point, God will keep His
covenant and all will certainly NOT be lost. *Application* Standing up for
righteousness can be a heartbreaking occupation in an evil society. When we
acknowledge the true essence of the intercessory activity of God’s faithful
prophets, it should be a solid reminder to us that Jesus Christ is our great go
between as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King (2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews
4:14). Meditate on His intercession for us and all its benefits (Hebrews 7:25).
Verse to Memorize: Jeremiah 14:14
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