Jeremiah 14:12

12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; when they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Rather, I will destroy them with war, famine and disease."

Jeremiah 14:12 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 14:12

When they fast, I will not hear their cry
Or, "though they fast" ^F11; very probably on account of the want of rain, and the dearth or famine, a fast was proclaimed; see ( Jeremiah 36:9 ) , when they prayed and cried aloud, and made a great noise; but their prayers being hypocritical, and not arising from a pure heart, or offered up in faith and love, were not heard and accepted by the Lord: and when they offer burnt offerings and an oblation;
or a meat or bread offering, which went along with the burnt offering; thinking by those outward things to atone for their sins, without true repentance for them, or faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ: I will not accept them;
neither their offerings, nor their persons: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the
pestilence;
the Lord not only determines the continuance of the famine, notwithstanding the prayers of the prophet; but adds two other judgments, the sword and pestilence, by which he was resolved to consume them; and therefore it was to no purpose to pray to him on their behalf, he was inexorable.

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 (wmuy yk) "quamvis jejunant", Gataker.

Jeremiah 14:12 In-Context

10 Here is what ADONAI says to this people: "They so love to wander, they don't restrain their feet; so ADONAI does not want them. Now he will remember their crimes, and he will punish their sins."

11 Then ADONAI said to me, "Don't pray for this people or for their welfare.

12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; when they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Rather, I will destroy them with war, famine and disease."

13 Then I said, "ADONAI, God! The prophets are telling them, 'You won't see war, and you won't have famine; but I will give you secure peace in this place.'"

14 ADONAI replied, "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I didn't send them, order them or speak to them. They are prophesying false visions to you, worthless divinations, the delusions of their own minds.