Jeremiah 14:9

9 Why are you like someone taken by surprise, like a soldier powerless to help? Surely, Lord, you are with us! We are your people; do not abandon us.' "

Jeremiah 14:9 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 14:9

Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied
Astonished, and so surprised as not to know what to say or do; or "asleep", as the Septuagint; taking no notice of us, and being altogether unconcerned what becomes of us; or, as one "dumb" F9; that will give no answer to our prayers: as a mighty man that cannot save?
who, though he is able to save, yet, through want of a heart or will, does not exert his power: yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us;
having his residence and dwelling in the temple at Jerusalem; and therefore was not a stranger and foreigner among them; and this carries in it an entreaty and an argument that he would not in his providence conduct towards them in such manner as though he was: and we are called by thy name;
the people of God, the Israel of God, and the like: leave us not;
in our distress and trouble, but deliver us out of it.


FOOTNOTES:

F9 (Mhdn) "obmutefactus", Fosterus, Mercerus,

Jeremiah 14:9 In-Context

7 My people cry out to me, "Even though our sins accuse us, help us, Lord, as you have promised. We have turned away from you many times; we have sinned against you.
8 You are Israel's only hope; you are the one who saves us from disaster. Why are you like a stranger in our land, like a traveler who stays for only one night?
9 Why are you like someone taken by surprise, like a soldier powerless to help? Surely, Lord, you are with us! We are your people; do not abandon us.' "
10 The Lord says about these people, "They love to run away from me, and they will not control themselves. So I am not pleased with them. I will remember the wrongs they have done and punish them because of their sins."
11 The Lord said to me, "Do not ask me to help these people.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.