Jeremiah 14

In response, the Lord condemns the false prophets and assures Jeremiah that they will perish by sword and famine—the very things they said would never touch the land! (verse 15). And the people will perish with them (verse 16).

There have been “false prophets” in every generation; they are the ones who assure us we can have blessing without obedience, success without sacrifice, restoration without repentance. They promise prosperity. They speak of a one–sided god who is loving and kind but who makes no demands (see Exodus 34:4–7 and comment). Such a god is not the God revealed in Scripture.

17–18 Here the Lord expresses His own grief through the mouth of Jeremiah.⁵⁷ He is saddened by the people’s disobedience. He is not indifferent to their suffering, even though He is the one who must bring it upon them to punish them for their sin.

19–22 Jeremiah again prays on the people’s behalf. He confesses the collective sin of the people. O LORD . . . we have indeed sinned against you (verse 20). God had promised that true repentance would lead to restoration (see Leviticus 26:40–45; Deuteronomy 30:1–5), but we know that the people of Judah did not truly repent. Repentance is more than just a formal prayer offered by a priest or prophet; it is an individual confession of sin and a turning to God in one’s heart.

Jeremiah asks God not to dishonor His glorious throne, the temple in Jerusalem (verse 21). He also asks God to honor the promise He made not to break His covenant with Israel (Leviticus 26:44–45). And finally, Jeremiah acknowledges that only God can send rain and end the drought; He is Judah’s only hope (verse 22).