Jeremiah 14:12

When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

When they fast {H6684}, I will not hear {H8085} their cry {H7440}; and when they offer {H5927} burnt offering {H5930} and an oblation {H4503}, I will not accept {H7521} them: but I will consume {H3615} them by the sword {H2719}, and by the famine {H7458}, and by the pestilence {H1698}.

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."

Although they may fast, I will not listen to their cry; although they may offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will finish them off by sword and famine and plague.”

When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt-offering and meal-offering, I will not accept them; but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

Jeremiah 14:12 delivers a stark message from God concerning the futility of insincere religious practices in the face of widespread disobedience. It reveals God's rejection of outward rituals when the heart of His people, Judah, is far from Him, signaling impending judgment.

Context of Jeremiah 14:12

This verse is situated within a section of Jeremiah dealing with a severe drought plaguing Judah, often referred to as the "drought prophecies." The people, facing immense suffering, respond by fasting and offering sacrifices—traditional acts of repentance and seeking God's favor. However, their actions are superficial. God's response through Jeremiah is unequivocal: He will not accept their rituals because their repentance is not genuine. Their devotion is merely an outward show, lacking true contrition for their persistent disobedience and idolatry. This divine rejection directly contrasts with the false assurances given by false prophets who promised peace and prosperity.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Rejection of Hypocritical Worship: The verse powerfully illustrates that God values a sincere heart and genuine repentance over mere external religious acts. Fasting, burnt offerings, and oblations, while commanded in the Law, become meaningless when offered without a corresponding internal change or commitment to God's covenant. This echoes themes found in Isaiah 1:11-15 and 1 Samuel 15:22, where obedience and a right heart are prioritized over sacrifice.
  • Consequences of Persistent Sin: God declares His intention to "consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence." This triad represents the common instruments of divine judgment in the Old Testament, signifying war, scarcity, and disease. It underscores the severe and inevitable consequences of breaking God's covenant and rejecting His warnings, as detailed in Deuteronomy 28.
  • God's Unwavering Justice and Holiness: The passage reveals God's holy character, demonstrating that He cannot be manipulated by outward displays of piety. His justice demands a response to sin, and His rejection of their offerings highlights the gravity of Judah's spiritual state.

Linguistic Insights

The terms "burnt offering" ('olah) and "oblation" (minchah) refer to specific types of sacrifices in ancient Israel. The 'olah was a whole burnt offering, completely consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication. The minchah was a grain offering, often accompanying other sacrifices. The KJV's "pestilence" translates the Hebrew deber, which broadly means plague or epidemic. The combination of "sword, famine, and pestilence" is a recurring prophetic motif (e.g., Ezekiel 5:12) emphasizing a comprehensive and inescapable judgment from God.

Practical Application

For believers today, Jeremiah 14:12 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of sincerity in our relationship with God. It challenges us to examine our worship, prayers, and acts of service to ensure they stem from a heart truly devoted to Him, rather than being mere rituals or attempts to earn favor. God desires genuine repentance and a transformed heart, not just outward conformity. This verse encourages us to pursue a deep, authentic relationship with God, recognizing the seriousness of sin and the necessity of true spiritual alignment.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 11:11

    ¶ Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.

  • Jeremiah 6:20

    To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings [are] not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.

  • Proverbs 1:28

    Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

  • Ezekiel 8:18

    Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, [yet] will I not hear them.

  • Zechariah 7:13

    Therefore it is come to pass, [that] as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:

  • Ezekiel 14:21

    For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?

  • Micah 3:4

    Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.

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