1
The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought.
2
Judah mourns,
its gates languish,
they lie in sorrow on the ground;
and the cry of Jerusalem goes up.
3
Her nobles send their servants for water;
they come to the cisterns,
but find no water,
so they return with their jars empty.
They are ashamed, and their faces grow red,
until they cover their heads.
4
The work in the fields has ceased,
because no rain has fallen on the land;
therefore the farmers are disappointed
and cover their heads.
5
Even the doe in the field
abandons her newborn young,
because there is no young grass.
6
The wild donkeys stand on the bare hills,
panting like jackals;
their eyes fail,
because there is no grass.
7
“Though our iniquities testify against us,
deal with us for Your name’s sake, O LORD!
For our rebellions are many;
we have sinned against You.
8
O Hope of Israel,
its Savior in time of trouble!
Why should You be like a stranger in the land,
like a traveler who stays only for the night?
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Why should You be like a man bewildered,
like a warrior unable to save?
Yet You are among us, O LORD,
and Your name is called upon us;
do not forsake us!”
10
Thus says the LORD concerning this people:
“They love to wander so much, they do not restrain their feet.
Therefore the LORD does not accept them;
but now He will remember their iniquity
and punish their sin.”
11
The LORD said to me:
“Do not pray for the good of this people!
12
Though they fast, I will not hear their cry;
though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them,
but I will consume them
by sword, by famine, and by pestilence.”
13
Then I said:
“Alas, Lord GOD!
Have not the prophets said to them:
You will not see sword, and famine will not come upon you,
but I will give you lasting peace in this place!”
14
The LORD answered me:
“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name!
I did not send them, nor command them, nor speak to them.
They are prophesying to you false visions,
worthless divination, and the deceit of their own heart.
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Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the prophets
who prophesy in My name, though I did not send them,
and who say: Sword and famine will not come upon this land —:
Those prophets themselves shall be consumed by sword and famine!”
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And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out dead in the streets of Jerusalem,
because of famine and the sword, and there shall be no one to bury them:
they themselves, their wives, their sons, and their daughters.
Thus will I pour out their evil upon them.”
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Say this word to them:
“Let my eyes flow with tears
night and day without ceasing,
for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach,
with a very grievous wound.
18
If I go out into the field,
behold, those slain by the sword!
If I enter the city,
behold, those sick with hunger!
Yes, both prophet and priest
wander about in a land they do not know.”
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Have You utterly rejected Judah?
Has Your soul loathed Zion?
Why have You struck us so that there is no healing for us?
We looked for peace, but no good came;
for a time of healing, but behold, terror!
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O LORD, we know our wickedness
and the guilt of our fathers;
indeed, we have sinned against You.
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Do not spurn us, for Your name’s sake,
and do not dishonor the throne of Your glory!
Remember Your covenant with us; do not break it!
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Is there any among the worthless idols of the nations who can bring rain?
Or can the heavens themselves give showers?
Are not You alone, O LORD our God, our Hope,
who does all these things?
💧⚠️😭 Summary of Jeremiah 14 – Physical & Spiritual Drought, the Prophet’s Prayer, and God’s Rejection
Jeremiah 14 describes a severe drought that struck Judah, as a symbol of suffering because of sin. The land is dry, the animals suffer, and the people panic, yet they do not repent. Jeremiah stands in for the people with a heartfelt prayer of intercession, but the LORD rejects it because their sin is too great and their repentance is not sincere. This chapter also warns that false prophets mislead the people, and they too will perish. Jeremiah grieves, but God confirms that judgment still stands.
📌 1. Picture of Drought & the Nation’s Suffering (verses 1–6)
“Jerusalem laments, and its people raise their voice…”
➡️ Drought has spread across the whole land: there is no water, the farmers are despairing, even the wild donkeys find no grass.
🎯 Physical suffering reflects spiritual drought — without God, all becomes barren and powerless.
📌 2. Jeremiah’s Confession of Sin & Prayer (verses 7–9)
“Though our guilt testifies against us…”
➡️ Jeremiah acknowledges the sin of his people and pleads that the Lord would not forsake them, even though they deserve punishment.
🎯 Intercessory prayer does not hide sin — but brings that sin honestly before the Lord.
📌 3. The Lord Rejects Jeremiah’s Request (verses 10–12)
“The Lord is not pleased with them…”
➡️ The Lord makes clear that this people have gone astray by their own will and that He will not listen to their prayer or accept their offerings.
🎯 Grace is not cheap — false repentance does not move the Lord’s mercy.
📌 4. Rebuke of the False Prophets (verses 13–16)
“The prophets say: you will not see the sword…”
➡️ Jeremiah laments that the false prophets give false hope. The Lord answers that they will perish together with those they have deceived.
🎯 Spiritual leaders who lead astray will be held responsible for the ruin of the people.
📌 5. Jeremiah’s Cry in Prayer (verses 17–18)
“Let my eyes flow with tears…”
➡️ Jeremiah weeps continually over the wound of his people. There is no peace — only injury and death throughout the land.
🎯 The heart of a true prophet weeps over the sin and suffering of the people, not rejoices in false comfort.
📌 6. Jeremiah Pleads for Forgiveness Again (verses 19–22)
“Have You truly rejected Judah?”
➡️ Jeremiah continues to plead, affirming that only the Lord can give rain and restoration.
🎯 The only hope is not in man, not in false rain gods — only in the Lord, the source of life.
📖 Main Teaching
- Persistent collective sin will bring disaster, both physical and spiritual
- Prayer without true repentance is not heard by the Lord
- Spiritual leaders are responsible for the teaching they spread
- A true prophet will lament, not manipulate
- True hope and restoration come only from the Lord, not from gods or people
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 Matthew 23:27
“You are like whitewashed tombs…”
➡️ Like the people of Judah who appeared religious but whose hearts were corrupt — Jesus condemned spiritual hypocrisy.
📖 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just…”
➡️ Unlike the people of Judah who did not truly repent, genuine repentance is still received by God.
📖 2 Timothy 4:3–4
“The time will come when people will not accept sound teaching…”
➡️ As in Jeremiah 14, people prefer false prophets who please the ear — not the truth.
📖 Romans 5:8
“Christ died for us while we were still sinners.”
➡️ Hope remains in Christ, even when the world is parched by sin and judgment.
🕊️ “Though our guilt testifies against us…” – Jeremiah 14:7
🕊️ “The Lord does not accept them…” – Jeremiah 14:10
🕊️ “Let my eyes flow with tears…” – Jeremiah 14:17
🕊️ “Only You can give rain…” – Jeremiah 14:22
