Jeremiah Chapter 14 — The Great Drought in Judah
A severe drought strikes Judah, leading Jeremiah to plead for God's mercy despite the people's sins and the deception of false prophets.
1This is the LORD’s word that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:
2“Judah mourns,
3Their nobles send their little ones to the waters.
4Because of the ground which is cracked,
5Yes, the doe in the field also calves and forsakes her young,
6The wild donkeys stand on the bare heights.
7Though our iniquities testify against us,
8You hope of Israel,
9Why should you be like a scared man,
10The LORD says to this people:
11The LORD said to me, “Don’t pray for this people for their good.
12When 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, by famine, and by pestilence.”
13Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, the prophets tell them, ‘You will not see the sword, neither will you have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.’ ”
14Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in my name. I didn’t send them. I didn’t command them. I didn’t speak to them. They prophesy to you a lying vision, divination, and a thing of nothing, and the deceit of their own heart.
15Therefore the LORD says concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name, but I didn’t send them, yet they say, ‘Sword and famine will not be in this land.’ Those prophets will be consumed by sword and famine.
16The people to whom they prophesy will be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword. They will have no one to bury them—them, their wives, their sons, or their daughters, for I will pour their wickedness on them.
17“You shall say this word to them:
18If I go out into the field,
19Have you utterly rejected Judah?
20We acknowledge, LORD, our wickedness,
21Do not abhor us, for your name’s sake.
22Are there any among the vanities of the nations that can cause rain?
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Jeremiah 14:7
“Though our iniquities testify against us, LORD, work for your name’s sake; for our backslidings are many. We have sinned against you.”
This verse records Jeremiah's humble confession of the nation's sins as he seeks God's mercy.
Jeremiah 14:14
“Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in my name. I didn’t send them. I didn’t command them. I didn’t speak to them.””
This highlights God's rejection of false messengers who were misleading the people with promises of safety.
Jeremiah 14:22
“Are there any among the vanities of the nations that can cause rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Aren’t you he, LORD our God?”
The chapter ends with a recognition that only the Creator, not idols, has power over the elements of nature.
Chapter Summary
Jeremiah 14 describes a catastrophic drought in Judah that affects everyone from the nobility to the wild animals. The ground is cracked, water sources have dried up, and the people are in mourning. Jeremiah offers a prayer of confession on behalf of the nation, acknowledging their many iniquities but appealing to God's reputation and His covenant relationship with Israel. However, God instructs Jeremiah not to pray for the people's welfare, stating that their fasts and offerings will not be accepted. God warns of judgment through sword, famine, and pestilence. Jeremiah points out that false prophets are promising peace, but God clarifies that He did not send them and that they will perish by the very disasters they claim will not come. The chapter concludes with a final plea from Jeremiah, acknowledging God as the only one who can provide rain and relief for the parched land.
Frequently Asked Questions
God explains that the people's wickedness has reached a point where ritual fasting and offerings are no longer enough to avert judgment. God declares that He will consume them through sword, famine, and pestilence because they have consistently turned away from His commands.
The drought serves as both a physical calamity and a sign of spiritual desolation. It impacts every level of society, from the nobles to the farmers, demonstrating that the entire nation is under judgment for their backsliding.
The text states that false prophets were telling the people they would not see sword or famine, but would have peace. God explicitly denies sending these prophets, calling their visions lying divinations and the deceit of their own hearts, and warns they will perish by the disasters they denied.
Study Note
The description of the doe forsaking her young in verse 5 highlights the extreme severity of the drought, as it overrides the strongest natural instincts of animal care.
Related Chapters
Jeremiah Chapter 15
The dialogue between Jeremiah and God regarding judgment and intercession continues in the next chapter.
1 Kings Chapter 17
Provides a historical parallel of a severe drought sent as a divine consequence in Israel's history.
Ezekiel Chapter 14
Explores similar themes regarding God's refusal to hear the elders of Israel because of their idolatry.
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