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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 5:10–19. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
We may observe in these verses, as before,
I.The sin of this people, upon which the commission signed against them is grounded.
God disowns them and dooms them to destruction, Jer 5:10. But is there not a cause? Yes; for,
1.They have deserted the law of God (Jer 5:11): The house of Israel and the house of Judah, though at variance with one another, yet both agreed to deal very treacherously against God. They forsook the worship of him, and therein violated their covenants with him; they revolted from him, and played the hypocrite with him.
2.They have defied the judgments of God and given the lie to his threatenings in the mouth of his prophets, Jer 5:12, Jer 5:13. They were often told that evil would certainly come upon them; they must expect some desolating judgment, sword or famine; but they were secure and said, We shall have peace, though we go on. For,
(1.)They did not fear what God is. They belied him, and confronted the dictates even of natural light concerning him; for they said, "It is not he, that is, he is not such a one as we have been made to believe he is; he does not see, or not regard, or will not require it; and therefore no evil shall come upon us." Multitudes are ruined by being made to believe that God will not be so strict with them as his word says he will; nay, by this artifice Satan undid us all: You shall not surely die. So here: Neither shall we see sword nor famine. Vain hopes of impunity are the deceitful support of all impiety.
(2.)They did not fear what God said. The prophets gave them fair warning, but they turned it off with a jest: "They do but talk so, because it is their trade; they are words of course, and words are but wind. It is not the word of the Lord that is in them; it is only the language of their melancholy fancy or their ill-will to their country, because they are not preferred." Note, Impenitent sinners are not willing to own any thing to be the word of God that makes against them, that tends either to part them from, or disquiet them in, their sins. They threaten the prophets: "They shall become wind, shall pass away unregarded, and thus shall it be done unto them; what they threaten against us we will inflict upon them. Do they frighten us with famine? Let them be fed with the bread of affliction." So Micaiah was, Kg1 22:27. "Do they tell us of the sword? Let them perish by the sword," Jer 2:30. Thus their mocking and misusing God's messengers filled the measure of their iniquity.
II.The punishment of this people for their sin.
1.The threatenings they laughed at shall be executed (Jer 5:14): Because you speak this word of contempt concerning the prophets, and the word in their mouths, therefore God will put honour upon them and their words, for not one iota or tittle of them shall fall to the ground, Sa1 3:19. Here God turns to the prophet Jeremiah, who had been thus bantered, and perhaps had been a little uneasy at it: Behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire. God owns them for his words, though men denied them, and will as surely make them to take effect as the fire consumes combustible material that is in its way. The word shall be fire and the people wood. Sinners by sin make themselves fuel to that wrath of God which is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men in the scripture. The word of God will certainly be too hard for those that contend with it. Those shall break who will not bow before it.
2.The enemy they thought themselves in no danger of shall be brought upon them. God gives them their commission (Jer 5:10): "Go you up upon her walls, mount them, trample upon them, tread them down. Walls of stone, before the divine commission, shall be but mud walls. Having made yourselves masters of the walls, you may destroy at pleasure. You may take away her battlements, and leave the fenced fortified cities to lie open; for her battlements are not the Lord's he does not own them and therefore will not protect and fortify them." They were not erected in his fear, nor with a dependence upon him; the people have trusted to them more than to God, and therefore they are not his. When the city is filled with sin God will not patronise the fortifications of it, and then they are paper walls. What can defend us when he who is our defence, and the defender of all our defences, has departed from us? Num 14:9. What is not of God cannot stand, not stand long, nor stand us in any stead. What dreadful work these invaders should make is here described (Jer 5:15): Lo, I will bring a nation upon you, O house of Israel! Note, God has all nations at his command, does what he pleases with them and makes what use he pleases of them. And sometimes he is pleased to make the nations of the earth, the heathen nations, a scourge to the house of Israel, when that has become a hypocritical nation. This nation of the Chaldeans is here said to be a remote nation; it is brought upon them from afar, and therefore will make the greater spoil and the longer stay, that the soldiers may pay themselves well for so long a march. "It is a nation that thou hast had no commerce with, by reason of their distance, and therefore canst not expect to find favour with." God can bring trouble upon us from places and causes very remote. It is a mighty nation, that there is no making head against, an ancient nation, that value themselves upon their antiquity and will therefore be the more haughty and imperious. It is a nation whose language thou knowest not; they spoke the Syriac tongue, which the Jews at that time were not acquainted with, as appears, Kg2 18:26. The difference of language would make it the more difficult to treat with them of peace. Compare this with the threatening, Deu 28:49, which it seems to have a reference to, for the law and the prophets exactly agree. They are well armed: Their quiver is as an open sepulchre; their arrows shall fly so thick, hit so sure, and wound so deep, that they shall be reckoned to breathe nothing but death and slaughter: they are able-bodied, all effective, mighty men, Jer 5:16. And, when they have made themselves masters of the country, they shall devour all before them, and reckon all their own that they can lay their hands on, Jer 5:17. (1.) They shall strip the country, shall not only sustain, but surfeit, their soldiers with the rich products of this fruitful land. "They shall not store up (then it might possibly by retrieved), but eat up thy harvest in the field and thy bread in the house, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat." Note, What we have we have for our families, and it is a comfort to see our sons and daughters eating that which we have taken care and pains for. But it is a grievous vexation to see it devoured by strangers and enemies, to see their camps victualled with our stores, while those that are dear to us are perishing for want of it: this also is according to the curse of the law, Deu 28:33. "They shall eat up thy flocks and herds, out of which thou hast taken sacrifices for thy idols; they shall not leave thee the fruit of thy vines and fig-trees." (2.) They shall starve the towns: "They shall impoverish thy fenced cities" (and what fence is there against poverty, when it comes like an armed man?), "those cities wherein thou trustedst to be a protection to the country." Note, It is just with God to impoverish that which we make our confidence. They shall impoverish them with the sword, cutting off all provisions from coming to them and intercepting trade and commerce, which will impoverish even fenced cities.
III.An intimation of the tender compassion God has yet for them.
The enemy is commissioned to destroy and lay waste, but must not make a full end, Jer 5:10. Though they make a great slaughter, yet some must be left to live; though they make a great spoil, yet something must be left to live upon, for God has said it (Jer 5:18) with a non obstante - a nevertheless to the present desolation: "Even in those days, dismal as they are, I will not make a full end with you;" and, if God will not, the enemy shall not. God has mercy in store for his people, and therefore will set bounds to this desolating judgment. Hitherto it shall come, and no further.
IV.The justification of God in these proceedings against them.
As he will appear to be gracious in not making a full end with them, so he will appear to be righteous in coming so near it, and will have it acknowledged that he has done them no wrong, Jer 5:19. Observe,
1.A reason demanded, insolently demanded, by the people for these judgments. They will say "Wherefore doth the Lord our God do all this unto us? What provocation have we given him, or what quarrel has he with us?" As if against such a sinful nation there did not appear cause enough of action. Note, Unhumbled hearts are ready to charge God with injustice in their afflictions, and pretend they have to seek for the cause of them when it is written in the forehead of them. But,
2.Here is a reason immediately assigned. The prophet is instructed what answer to give them; for God will be justified when he speaks, though he speaks with ever so much terror. He must tell them that God does this against them for what they have done against him, and that they may, if they please, read their sin in their punishment. Do not they know very well that they have forsaken God, and therefore can they think it strange if he has forsaken them? Have they forgotten how often they served gods in their own land, that good land, in the abundance of the fruits of which they ought to have served God with gladness of heart? and therefore is it not just with God to make them serve strangers in a strange land, where they can call nothing their own, as he has threatened to do? Deu 28:47, Deu 28:48. Those that are fond of strangers, to strangers let them go.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
(Verse 14) Thus says the Lord God of hosts, because you have spoken these words: behold, I will make my words in your mouth like fire, and this people like wood, and it shall devour them. You said: The prophets have spoken in vain, and their threats will not come to pass: therefore, O prophet, I will make my words in your mouth have the power of fire, and I will turn this people into wood, so that through your words and the disbelief of the prophecy they may be consumed. Thus God is said to be a consuming fire, so that He may consume in us, if we build on the foundation of Christ, wood, hay, straw (Deuteronomy IV).
We say then that the power of the divine message resembles a live coal and fire. And the God of all somewhere said to the prophet Jeremiah, “Behold, I have made my words in your mouth to be fire, and this people to be wood, and it shall devour them.” And again, “Are not my words as burning fire, says the Lord?” Rightly, therefore, did our Lord Jesus Christ say to us, “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled.” For already some of the Jewish crowd believed on him, whose firstfruits were the divine disciples. The fire, being once kindled, was soon to seize on the whole world immediately after the whole dispensation had attained to its completion.… He had borne his precious passion on the cross and had commanded the bonds of death to cease. He rose on the third day from the dead.
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Summary
Jeremiah 5:14 delivers a profound and terrifying declaration from the LORD God of hosts, articulating the severe divine judgment awaiting the people of Judah. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God announces that His very words, spoken by Jeremiah, will transform into a consuming fire, and the rebellious nation, likened to dry wood, will be utterly devoured by this divine wrath. This verse underscores the absolute authority and destructive power inherent in God's pronouncements when met with persistent disobedience and rejection.
Context
Literary Context
Jeremiah 5 is a scathing indictment of Judah's widespread corruption, spiritual apostasy, and moral decay, forming part of a larger prophetic oracle detailing the nation's impending judgment. Preceding this verse, Jeremiah describes the people's obstinate refusal to repent, their pervasive idolatry, injustice, and deceit (e.g., Jeremiah 5:1-9). The prophet laments their spiritual blindness and deafness (e.g., Jeremiah 5:21), despite God's repeated warnings and provisions. Jeremiah 5:14 acts as a climactic declaration within this chapter, shifting from lament and accusation to a direct, visceral pronouncement of the mechanism of judgment. It immediately precedes further descriptions of the invading nation that God will bring against Judah (e.g., Jeremiah 5:15-17), linking the "fire" of God's word to the physical devastation that will ensue through foreign invasion.
Historical & Cultural Context
This prophecy is set during the tumultuous late 7th century BC, likely during the reign of King Jehoiakim (609-598 BC), a period marked by Judah's political instability and spiritual decline. The nation was caught between the waning power of Assyria and the rising dominance of Babylon. Despite repeated warnings from prophets like Jeremiah, the people of Judah, including their leaders, largely ignored God's covenant demands, engaging in widespread idolatry, social injustice, and false worship. The phrase "Because ye speak this word" (or "because of your speaking of this word") likely refers to the people's defiant, dismissive, or even blasphemous response to God's prophetic messages, echoing their general attitude of unbelief and rejection of divine truth. Culturally, fire was a well-understood symbol of divine judgment, purification, and destruction in the ancient Near East, making the metaphor immediately impactful to Jeremiah's audience. The impending Babylonian invasion, which would ultimately lead to the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile, serves as the tangible manifestation of this divine "fire."
Key Themes
Jeremiah 5:14 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the Sovereignty and Justice of God, demonstrating that the LORD, as the "God of hosts," is in absolute control over both human speech and historical events, executing righteous judgment against unrepentant sin. His patience has limits, and His justice demands a response to sustained rebellion, as seen in the broader prophetic warnings throughout the book of Jeremiah. Secondly, the verse emphasizes the Irresistible Power and Authority of God's Word. Jeremiah's words are not merely human pronouncements but are imbued with divine efficacy, becoming a destructive force when rejected. This theme is echoed elsewhere, such as in Jeremiah 23:29, where God's word is also likened to fire and a hammer, breaking down resistance. Thirdly, it vividly illustrates the Consequences of Persistent Disobedience and Unbelief. The metaphor of "fire" consuming "wood" portrays the complete and devastating nature of the judgment that awaits those who stubbornly refuse to heed God's warnings. Judah's unfaithfulness has made them vulnerable, like dry fuel, to the righteous anger of God.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primitive root signifies "to say," used with great latitude, including to appoint, command, declare, or utter. In Jeremiah 5:14, its use emphasizes the authoritative and intentional nature of God's declaration. This is not a mere suggestion or a lament, but a formal, binding pronouncement from the sovereign LORD, underscoring the certainty and inevitability of the impending judgment. The divine will is being definitively articulated.
From the root dâbar (to speak), this noun refers to a "word," but also broadly encompasses a "matter," "thing," "affair," or "decree." In this context, "my words" refers to the totality of God's prophetic messages, warnings, and commands delivered through Jeremiah. The use of dâbâr here highlights that it's not just a single utterance, but the cumulative weight of divine communication that is now being activated as an instrument of judgment. These are not empty sounds but potent realities with tangible consequences.
This primitive root means "to eat," but is frequently used figuratively to mean "consume," "burn up," or "destroy." In the context of fire and wood, it powerfully conveys the complete and destructive action of the divine judgment. The fire will not merely scorch or damage, but utterly consume the "wood" (the people), leaving nothing behind. This emphasizes the totality and severity of the impending destruction, signifying a judgment that leaves no room for escape or recovery for those who are consumed.
Verse Breakdown
"Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts,"
This opening phrase establishes the divine authority and origin of the message. "Wherefore" links this pronouncement directly to the preceding descriptions of Judah's pervasive sin. "Thus saith the LORD God of hosts" is a solemn prophetic formula, emphasizing that the message is not Jeremiah's own, but a direct, authoritative word from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, who is also the supreme commander of all heavenly and earthly armies (hosts). This title underscores His omnipotence and His capacity to execute judgment through any means necessary.
"Because ye speak this word,"
This clause identifies the specific reason for the impending judgment. "This word" can be interpreted in several ways: it might refer to the people's defiant or dismissive speech against God's warnings, their blasphemous words of idolatry, their empty promises, or perhaps their general unfaithful and rebellious "word" (i.e., their conduct and character) that contradicted God's covenant. Regardless of the precise nuance, it signifies that their verbal and behavioral rejection of God's truth has provoked this severe divine response. Their words of rebellion are met with God's words of judgment.
"behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire,"
This is the core declaration of judgment. God declares that His words, spoken through Jeremiah ("in thy mouth"), will be transformed into "fire." This is a powerful metaphor for the irresistible, consuming, and destructive power of God's truth when it confronts unrepentant sin. It implies that Jeremiah's prophetic message, previously ignored or scoffed at, will now become the very instrument of divine wrath. The word of God is not just informative; it is transformative and, in this context, devastating.
"and this people wood, and it shall devour them."
This clause completes the metaphor, identifying the "people" of Judah as "wood." This imagery suggests their vulnerability, dryness, and readiness to be consumed by the divine fire. Like dry tinder, they are perfectly suited to be fuel for the judgment. The "it" refers back to the "fire" (God's words), which will "devour them" completely. This signifies a comprehensive and inescapable destruction, symbolizing the impending national catastrophe and exile that will be the consequence of their persistent rebellion.
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 5:14 is rich with powerful literary devices that amplify its message of impending judgment. The most prominent is Metaphor, where God's "words" are directly equated with "fire," and the "people" are equated with "wood." This creates a vivid and visceral image of destruction, making the abstract concept of divine judgment tangible and terrifying. The Simile is implicitly present in the comparison, as the people are like wood, ready to be consumed. The fire, representing God's word, is given an active, consuming quality, almost bordering on Personification, as it "devours" the people. The choice of "fire" and "wood" is a classic biblical pairing for destruction, emphasizing the complete and unsparing nature of the judgment. The declaration "I will make my words... fire" also carries an element of Divine Fiat, highlighting God's absolute sovereignty and His ability to bring about His declared will. The stark contrast between the divine word and the human rebellion, culminating in an inevitable consumption, creates a dramatic and impactful prophetic utterance.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Jeremiah 5:14 profoundly illustrates the uncompromising holiness and justice of God, a truth woven throughout the entire biblical narrative. It reveals that God's word is not merely descriptive but performative—it accomplishes what it declares. When His warnings are continually ignored and His covenant spurned, His word transforms from a lamp to the feet into a consuming fire. This serves as a stark reminder that while God is merciful and patient, His character also demands accountability for sin. The judgment described here is not arbitrary but a direct and just consequence of Judah's persistent rebellion, idolatry, and social injustice. It underscores the severity of rejecting divine truth and the reality that God will ultimately vindicate His righteousness, even if it means bringing devastation upon His own people who have broken faith. This verse also highlights the prophetic office as a dangerous and weighty calling, where the prophet's mouth becomes the very conduit for divine judgment, making him a messenger of both salvation and judgment.
Reflection and Application
Jeremiah 5:14 stands as a solemn and enduring warning, urging us to take the word of God with the utmost seriousness. In an age prone to spiritual apathy or selective hearing, this verse reminds us that God's pronouncements are not mere suggestions or ancient texts, but living, active, and powerful declarations that carry inherent consequences. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: Do we truly heed God's warnings, or do we, like ancient Judah, dismiss them with defiant words or actions? The "fire" of God's word can be one of purification and light for those who embrace it, but it becomes a consuming judgment for those who resist. This calls us to a posture of humility, repentance, and active obedience, recognizing that persistent rebellion against divine truth will inevitably lead to devastating spiritual and, at times, tangible consequences. It compels us to cultivate a reverent fear of the Lord, understanding that His justice is as real as His love, and that His word will always accomplish its intended purpose, whether for salvation or for judgment.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "fire" and "wood" symbolize in Jeremiah 5:14?
In Jeremiah 5:14, "fire" symbolizes the irresistible, consuming, and destructive power of God's word and divine judgment. It represents the intensity and thoroughness of the impending wrath. "Wood" symbolizes the people of Judah themselves, specifically their vulnerability, dryness, and readiness to be consumed by this divine judgment due to their persistent sin and rebellion. Like dry fuel, they are perfectly suited to be devoured by the fire of God's righteous anger. This metaphor vividly portrays the complete destruction that awaits them.
Is God's word always destructive, as implied by this verse?
No, God's word is not always destructive. While Jeremiah 5:14 portrays it as a consuming fire due to the specific context of Judah's unrepentant rebellion, the Bible presents God's word with multifaceted power. For those who humble themselves and obey, God's word is a source of life, light, guidance, and salvation (e.g., Psalm 119:105). It has the power to create (e.g., Genesis 1:3), to heal (e.g., Psalm 107:20), and to build up (e.g., Acts 20:32). However, for those who stubbornly reject it, God's word becomes an instrument of judgment and destruction, as seen in this verse. Its effect depends on the heart of the hearer.
How does this verse relate to God's love and mercy?
While Jeremiah 5:14 focuses on judgment, it does not negate God's love and mercy; rather, it underscores the profound seriousness of rejecting them. Throughout Jeremiah, God repeatedly calls His people to repentance, offering restoration and forgiveness (e.g., Jeremiah 3:12). The judgment described in Jeremiah 5:14 is a consequence of persistent, unrepentant rebellion despite God's long-suffering love and repeated warnings. It demonstrates that God's love is not sentimental but holy, and His mercy has limits when continually spurned. The severity of the judgment highlights the depth of the betrayal and the righteousness of a God who cannot simply overlook sin. Ultimately, even in judgment, there is a redemptive purpose, aiming to bring about a remnant that will eventually return to Him (e.g., Jeremiah 29:10-14).
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Jeremiah 5:14, with its stark imagery of God's word as a consuming fire against a rebellious people, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Jesus Christ is the very embodiment of God's "word" (Logos), as declared in John 1:1 and John 1:14. While Jeremiah delivered God's words through his mouth, Christ is the Word made flesh, the perfect revelation of God. His first coming, however, was not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17). Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus absorbed the consuming fire of God's wrath against sin, becoming the "wood" consumed in our place, thereby offering a path to escape the judgment pronounced in verses like Jeremiah 5:14. For those who believe in Him, God's word, embodied in Christ, brings salvation and life, purifying them by grace rather than consuming them by judgment. Yet, for those who reject the ultimate Word of God, Jesus Himself, the "fire" of judgment remains. The New Testament speaks of Christ's return as a judge, with a sharp sword—His word—coming from His mouth to strike down the nations (Revelation 19:15). Thus, Christ is both the means of salvation from the fire of judgment and the ultimate dispenser of that judgment for those who refuse to humble themselves before the living Word of God.