TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Jeremiah 14:10–16. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
The dispute between God and his prophet, in this chapter, seems to be like that between the owner and the dresser of the vineyard concerning the barren fig-tree, Luk 13:7. The justice of the owner condemns it to be cut down; the clemency of the dresser intercedes for a reprieve. Jeremiah had been earnest with God, in prayer, to return in mercy to this people. Now here,
I.God overrules the plea which he had offered in their favour, and shows him that it would not hold.
In answer to it thus he says concerning this people, Jer 14:10. He does not say, concerning my people, for he disowns them, because they had broken covenant with him. It is true they were called by his name, and had the tokens of his presence among them; but they had sinned, and provoked God to withdraw. This the prophet had owned, and had hoped to obtain mercy for them, notwithstanding this, through intercession and sacrifice; therefore God here tells him,
1.That they were not duly qualified for a pardon. The prophet had owned that their backslidings were many; and, though they were so, yet there was hope for them if they returned. But this people show no disposition at all to return; they have wandered, and they have loved to wander; their backslidings have been their choice and their pleasure, which should have been their shame and pain, and therefore they will be their ruin. They cannot expect God should take up his rest with them when they take such delight in going astray from him after their idols. It is not through necessity or inadvertency that they wander, but they love to wander. Sinners are wanderers from God; their wanderings forfeit God's favour, but it is their loving to wander that quite cuts them off from it. They were told what their wanderings would come to that one sin would hurry them on to another, and all to ruin; and yet they have not taken warning and refrained their feet. So far were they from returning to their God that neither his prophets nor his judgments could prevail upon them to give themselves the least check in a sinful pursuit. This is that for which God is now reckoning with them. When he denies them rain from heaven he is remembering their iniquity and visiting their sin; that is it for which their fruitful land is thus turned into barrenness.
2.That they had no reason to expect that the God they had rejected should accept them; no, not though they betook themselves to fasting and prayer and put themselves to the expense of burnt-offerings and sacrifice: The Lord doth not accept them, Jer 14:10. He takes no pleasure in them (so the word is); for what pleasure can the holy God take in those that take pleasure in his rivals, in any service, in any society, rather than his? "When they fast (Jer 14:12), which is a proper expression of repentance and reformation, - when they offer a burnt offering and an oblation, which was designed to be an expression of faith in a Mediator, - though their prayers be thus enforced, and offered up in those vehicles that used to be acceptable, yet, because they do not proceed from humble, penitent, and renewed hearts, but still they love to wander, therefore I will not hear their cry, be it ever so loud; nor will I accept them, neither their persons nor their performances." It had been long since declared, The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord; and those only are accepted that do well, Gen 4:7.
3.That they had forfeited all benefit by the prophet's prayers for them because they had not regarded his preaching to them. This is the meaning of that repeated prohibition given to the prophet (Jer 14:11): Pray not thou for this people for their good, as before, Jer 7:15; Jer 11:14. This did not forbid him thus to express his good-will to them (Moses continued to intercede for Israel after God had said, Let me alone, Exo 32:10), but it forbade them to expect any good effect from it as long as they turned away their ear from hearing the law. Thus was the doom of the impenitent ratified, as that of Saul's rejection was by that word to Samuel, When wilt thou cease to mourn for Saul? It therefore follows (Jer 14:12), I will consume them, not only by this famine, but by the further sore judgments of sword and pestilence; for God has many arrows in his quiver, and those that will not be convinced and reclaimed by one shall be consumed by another.
II.The prophet offers another plea in excuse for the people's obstinacy, and it is but an excuse, but he was willing to say whatever their case would bear; it is this, That the prophets, who pretended a commission from heaven, imposed upon them, and flattered them with assurances of peace though they went on in their sinful way, Jer 14:13. He speaks of it with lamentation: "Ah! Lord God, the poor people seem willing to take notice of what comes in thy name, and there are those who in thy name tell them that they shall not see the sword nor famine; and they say it as from thee, with all the gravity and confidence of prophets: I will continue you in this place, and will give you assured peace here, peace of truth. I tell them the contrary; but I am one against many, and every one is apt to credit that which makes for them; therefore, Lord, pity and spare them, for their leaders cause them to err." This excuse would have been of some weight if they had not had warning given them, before, of false prophets, and rules by which to distinguish them; so that if they were deceived it was entirely their own fault. But this teaches us, as far as we can with truth, to make the best of bad, and judge as charitably of others as their case will bear.
III.God not only overrules this plea, but condemns both the blind leaders and the blind followers to fall together into the ditch.
1.God disowns the flatteries (Jer 14:14): They prophesy lies in my name. They had no commission from God to prophesy at all: I neither sent them, nor commanded them, nor spoke unto them. They never were employed to go on any errand at all from God; he never made himself known to them, much less by them to the people; never any word of the Lord came to them, no call, no warrant, no instruction, much less did he send them on this errand, to rock them asleep in security. No; men may flatter themselves, and Satan may flatter them, but God never does. It is a false vision, and a thing of nought. Note, What is false and groundless in vain and worthless. The vision that is not true, be it ever so pleasing, is good for nothing; it is the deceit of their heart, a spider's web spun out of their own bowels, and in it they think to shelter themselves, but it will be swept away in a moment and prove a great cheat. Those that oppose their own thoughts of God's word (God indeed says so, but they think otherwise) walk in the deceit of their heart, and it will be their ruin.
2.He passes sentence upon the flatterers, Jer 14:15. As for the prophets, who put this abuse upon the people by telling them they shall have peace, and this affront upon God by telling them so in God's name, let them know that they shall have no peace themselves. They shall fall first by those very judgments which they have flattered others with the hopes of an exemption from. They undertook to warrant people that sword and famine should not be in the land; but it shall soon appear how little their warrants are good for, when they themselves shall be cut off by sword and famine. How should they secure others or foretel peace to them when they cannot secure themselves, nor have such a foresight of their own calamities as to get out of the way of them? Note, The sorest punishment await those who promise sinners impunity in their sinful ways.
3.He lays the flattered under the same doom: The people to whom they prophesy lies, and who willingly suffer themselves to be thus imposed upon, shall die by sword and famine, Jer 14:16. Note, The unbelief of the deceived, with all the falsehood of the deceivers, shall not make the divine threatenings of no effect; sword and famine will come, whatever they say to the contrary; and those will be least safe that are most secure. Impenitent sinners will not escape the damnation of hell by saying that they can never believe there is such a thing, but will feel what they will not fear. It is threatened that this people shall not only fall by sword and famine, but that they shall be as it were hanged up in chains, as monuments of that divine justice which they set at defiance; their bodies shall be cast out, even in the streets of Jerusalem, which of all places, one would think, should be kept clear from such nuisances: there they shall lie unburied; their nearest relations, who should do them that last office of love, being so poor that they cannot afford it, or so weakened with hunger that they are not able to attend it, or so overwhelmed with grief that they have no heart to it, or so destitute of natural affection that they will not pay them so much respect. Thus will God pour their wickedness upon them, that is, the punishment of their wickedness; the full vials of God's wrath shall be poured upon them, to which they have made themselves obnoxious. Note, When sinners are overwhelmed with trouble they must in it see their own wickedness poured upon them. This refers to the wickedness both of the false prophets and of the people; the blind lead the blind, and both fall together into the ditch, where they will be miserable comforters one to another.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
(Verse 15, 16) Therefore, the Lord says these things about the prophets who prophesy in my name, whom I did not send, saying: 'Sword and famine will not be in this land; by sword and famine those prophets will be consumed.' And the people to whom they prophesied will be thrown into the streets of Jerusalem, because of famine and sword. And there will be no one to bury them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. And I will pour out their own evil upon them. Beware of false prophets, who by promising prosperity, deceive the people of God, so that they may perish and the deceived people may be destroyed in a similar way, and may lie in the streets of Jerusalem, trampling on the Lord's commandments, and may perish by hunger and sword, and there will be no one to bury them; nor may their disgrace be covered by the dust of repentance. For both the prophets themselves and the people, their wives and children, and all generations without any propagator will be in the dung heap. How many lie on the streets of Jerusalem! How many we see receiving their own misfortunes unburied, which, as the Lord pours out, they endure!
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Summary
Jeremiah 14:15 delivers a severe divine pronouncement against false prophets in Judah who presumptuously claim to speak in the LORD's name without being genuinely commissioned by Him. These deceivers offer deceptive assurances of peace and prosperity, directly contradicting God's true message of impending judgment by sword and famine due to the nation's persistent sin. The verse declares a stark and ironic consequence: the very calamities they deny will befall the land are precisely what will consume these uncommissioned prophets, serving as a powerful testament to God's unwavering justice and the authenticity of His true word.
Context
Literary Context
Jeremiah 14 is a profound and somber lament, often referred to as "The Great Drought," vividly portraying a severe famine and drought afflicting the Kingdom of Judah. The chapter opens with poignant imagery of a parched land and suffering people, which prompts Jeremiah's heartfelt intercession on behalf of his nation. However, God responds with an unyielding declaration of judgment, emphasizing that Judah's persistent idolatry and rebellion have reached a point of no return. Amidst this national crisis, a dangerous spiritual deception emerges: false prophets offer comforting but deceitful messages of peace and safety, directly contradicting the dire reality and God's revealed will. Jeremiah 14:15 serves as God's direct, forceful, and ironic response to these unauthorized messengers, highlighting the severe consequences awaiting those who mislead His people. This verse is integral to the chapter's broader theme of divine judgment and the critical discernment between true and false prophecy, a recurring motif throughout the entire Book of Jeremiah.
Historical & Cultural Context
The historical setting for Jeremiah's prophetic ministry is the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period of immense geopolitical upheaval for the Kingdom of Judah. The nation faced escalating external threats from rising empires like Babylon, alongside profound internal spiritual decay characterized by widespread idolatry, social injustice, and a general abandonment of the Mosaic covenant. In ancient Israelite society, prophets held a crucial role as God's designated spokespersons, delivering divine messages to the king, the priests, and the populace. However, there was a constant, challenging struggle to discern true prophets, who faithfully conveyed God's often unpopular word, from false ones, who frequently prophesied what the people desired to hear—messages of peace and prosperity, even in the face of rampant national sin. The prevailing cultural expectation was that God would always protect His chosen people, leading many to embrace comforting lies over challenging truths. Jeremiah 14:15 exposes this dangerous dynamic, underscoring the spiritual blindness and moral corruption prevalent in Judah, where even religious leaders contributed to the nation's impending downfall by offering false hope instead of calling for genuine repentance and obedience to God's authentic word.
Key Themes
Jeremiah 14:15 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes central to the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic tradition. Primarily, it underscores the critical theme of Divine Authority and the Authenticity of Prophecy. The phrase "I sent them not" is paramount, emphasizing that true prophecy originates solely from God's sovereign commission and divine inspiration, not from human imagination, self-will, or popular demand. This stands in stark contrast to the false prophets' presumptuous claims, highlighting the profound danger and spiritual offense of speaking in God's name without His explicit authorization, a warning echoed throughout the Old Testament, such as in Deuteronomy 18:20-22. Secondly, the verse vividly illustrates Divine Justice and Retribution. God's judgment is not arbitrary but a righteous and fitting response to the false prophets' deception and their leading of His people astray. The striking irony that they will be consumed by the very "sword and famine" they denied would come upon the land serves as a stark example of God's unwavering commitment to His revealed word and His righteous judgment against those who pervert it. Finally, the passage reinforces the Consequences of Spiritual Deception. By condemning the false prophets, God underscores the severe spiritual and physical repercussions for both those who propagate lies in His name and those who choose to believe them over His revealed truth. This serves as a timeless call to discernment, urging God's people to cling to His authentic word, even when it is challenging, as seen in the broader prophetic message of Jeremiah.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term (H5030) refers to an inspired person, one who speaks for God. In this context, it highlights the sacred office these individuals claim to hold. However, the subsequent divine declaration "I sent them not" immediately disqualifies them from being true nâbîyʼ, revealing them as imposters who usurp a divine title without legitimate divine authorization. A true prophet speaks with the authority and message given directly by God, whereas these individuals speak from their own deceitful hearts and imaginations.
The verb "sent" (H7971) is crucial, denoting divine commission, authorization, and dispatch. When God "sends" a prophet, it signifies that the prophet's message is God's own, carrying absolute divine authority and truth. The emphatic negation "I sent them not" unequivocally declares that these prophets lack any legitimate divine backing or endorsement. Their message is therefore not from God but from their own fabrication, rendering their claims fraudulent and their words dangerous. This absence of divine sending is the fundamental flaw that renders their prophecies false and deserving of severe judgment.
This verb (H8552) means "to complete," "to come to an end," "to be wasted," or "to be utterly destroyed." In this context, it signifies utter destruction, annihilation, and a complete cessation of existence through the very means of judgment. The false prophets will not merely suffer from the sword and famine; they will be "consumed" by them, indicating a complete and devastating end. This word underscores the severity and finality of God's judgment, demonstrating that their deception will lead directly to their own demise by the very calamities they falsely promised would not come.
Verse Breakdown
"Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not,"
This opening clause establishes the divine origin of the pronouncement ("thus saith the LORD"), underscoring its absolute authority. It immediately identifies the target: individuals who claim divine authority by speaking "in my name" but fundamentally lack genuine commission ("I sent them not"). This highlights the core issue of false prophecy—presumptuously speaking for God without His authentic authorization.
"yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land;"
This clause reveals the specific content of the false prophets' deceptive message. In direct contradiction to God's true word conveyed through Jeremiah, they offer comforting but ultimately false assurances of peace and security. They deny the impending judgments of warfare ("sword") and scarcity ("famine") that God has definitively decreed for the land of Judah due to its persistent idolatry and rebellion.
"By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed."
This concluding clause declares God's righteous and fitting judgment. It reveals a striking and chilling irony: the very calamities that the false prophets denied would come upon the land are precisely the means by which they themselves will be utterly destroyed. This serves as a powerful demonstration of divine justice, where the punishment perfectly reflects the nature of their deception and the severity of their offense against God's truth.
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 14:15 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message with impactful clarity. The most prominent device is Irony, specifically Situational Irony. The false prophets declare a message of false comfort, asserting that "Sword and famine shall not be in this land," yet God declares that "By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed." The very instruments of judgment they deny will come upon the land are the precise instruments of their own demise, creating a powerful and chilling reversal of expectations. This highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to turn the deceptions of the wicked back upon themselves. Another significant device is Contrast, starkly drawn between the true word of the LORD, conveyed through His authentic prophet Jeremiah, and the false words of the unauthorized prophets. The divine declaration "I sent them not" stands in direct opposition to their presumptuous claim of speaking "in my name." This contrast emphasizes the absolute distinction between divine truth and human deception. Furthermore, there is a strong sense of Retribution, where the punishment perfectly fits the crime. The false comfort offered by the prophets is met with the very discomfort and destruction they sought to deny, underscoring the principle that God's justice is precise, inescapable, and perfectly calibrated.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Jeremiah 14:15 profoundly underscores the sanctity of God's name and the immense gravity of speaking on His behalf without genuine divine authorization. It reveals a God who is utterly committed to the integrity of His word and will not tolerate deception, especially when it leads His people astray from truth and repentance. Theologically, this verse reinforces the concept of divine judgment not as arbitrary wrath, but as a righteous and just response to sin and rebellion, directed not only against the people's idolatry but specifically against those who corrupt spiritual leadership and mislead the flock. It highlights the eternal truth that God's word, whether of blessing or judgment, will always come to pass, and those who contradict or pervert it will face severe, fitting consequences. This passage serves as a timeless warning against spiritual presumption and a fervent call to discernment, reminding believers that true spiritual authority flows solely from God's authentic commission and His unchanging truth, which demands faithful proclamation and humble reception.
Reflection and Application
Jeremiah 14:15 serves as a timeless and sobering reminder of the critical importance of discerning truth from falsehood, particularly in spiritual matters. In an age saturated with information, diverse voices, and a myriad of self-proclaimed authorities, the temptation to embrace comforting narratives over challenging truths remains powerfully potent. This verse calls us to a rigorous and prayerful examination of every message, ensuring its alignment with the unchanging character and revealed word of God. It compels us to cultivate a deep familiarity with Scripture, enabling us to recognize when a message deviates from divine truth, regardless of how appealing, popular, or emotionally resonant it may be. Furthermore, it challenges those who teach, preach, or lead to tremble at the thought of speaking presumptuously in God's name, emphasizing the profound responsibility and accountability inherent in conveying His sacred message. Our spiritual well-being, and indeed that of the community of faith, hinges on our unwavering commitment to seeking and upholding God's authentic word, even when it demands repentance, confronts uncomfortable realities, or calls for difficult obedience, rather than succumbing to the deceptive allure of false assurances.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the phrase "I sent them not" in Jeremiah 14:15?
The phrase "I sent them not" (Hebrew: lō sh'lachtim) is profoundly significant because it highlights the fundamental criterion for legitimate prophecy: divine commission. True prophets are those whom God has specifically chosen, authorized, and sent to deliver His message. The false prophets in Jeremiah 14:15 claimed to speak "in my name" (God's name), but God explicitly denies having authorized them. This means their messages were not divinely inspired but originated from their own imaginations, desires, or perhaps even demonic influence. This lack of divine sending is what makes their prophecies deceitful and worthy of judgment, directly contrasting with the genuine commission of prophets like Jeremiah himself, who was called by God from his youth.
Why are "sword and famine" used as the instruments of judgment against the false prophets?
"Sword and famine" (Hebrew: chereb v'ra'av) are frequently paired throughout the Old Testament as classic symbols of God's severe judgment, representing warfare and scarcity, often as consequences for covenant disobedience. In Jeremiah 14:15, their use is particularly potent due to the stark irony involved. The false prophets promised that "Sword and famine shall not be in this land," directly contradicting God's declared judgment upon Judah. God's declaration that "By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed" is a perfect example of divine retribution, where the punishment fittingly reflects the nature of their sin. They denied the very calamities that God had decreed, and those same calamities become the means of their own utter destruction, demonstrating God's unwavering justice and the inescapable reality of His word. This powerful reversal underscores the futility and danger of speaking falsely in God's name.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Jeremiah 14:15, with its stark warning against false prophets and its emphasis on the absolute necessity of divine commission, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament prophets served as God's spokespersons, Jesus is the ultimate and perfect Prophet, the very Word of God incarnate (John 1:1). He did not merely speak God's word; He is God's word, fully authorized and eternally sent by the Father, as He Himself repeatedly declared: "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me" (John 6:38). Unlike the false prophets who spoke from their own imaginations, Jesus spoke with unparalleled divine authority, confirming His heavenly commission through His miraculous signs, profound teachings, and ultimately, His victorious resurrection (Acts 2:22-24). The judgment pronounced against false prophets in Jeremiah foreshadows the ultimate judgment against all who speak falsely or lead others astray, a judgment fully administered by Christ, who will judge the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1). Furthermore, the "sword and famine" of judgment in Jeremiah point to the spiritual realities of sin and death, from which Christ alone delivers His people. He is the true bread of life (John 6:35) who overcomes spiritual famine, and His atoning sacrifice on the cross disarms the spiritual "sword" of God's righteous wrath against sin, offering true peace and reconciliation to all who believe (Colossians 2:14-15). Thus, Jesus stands as the authentic, divinely commissioned voice of God, fulfilling all true prophecy and delivering humanity from the very judgments that false prophets denied.