Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 14

Verses 1-22

1. Intro:
   1. John Henry Jowett(Brittish preacher) “Preaching that costs nothingaccomplishes nothing!”
      1. This definitely spoke of Jer.’s as a preacher. Having to daily pickup his cross & follow the Lord.
      2. Let’s look at 2 messages: [1] The Drought [2] The ComingCaptivity.
2. THE DROUGHT! (14:1-22)
   1. ​​​​​​​Q: Droughts were a warning against what? (God’s judgment?)
      1. Egypt relied on “The Nile” for its water supply. Israel had to rely on the rain God sent!
      2. So Jeremiah used this painful timely topic for a sermon to the people.
      3. Their response would either be Panic or Penitence!
      4. Q: The prophets took advantage of what other calamities to preach from? {earthquakes; locusts; }
   2. THE LAND’S PLIGHT! (1-6)
   3. ​​​​​​​(1-3) – The famine touched the City.
   4. (4) - The famine touched the Farm.
   5. (5,6) - The famine touched the Open Country.
   6. THE PEOPLE’S PLEA! (7-12)
   7. The Jews Prayer (7-9)
   8. A fire insurance prayer, that was insincere, not linked w/repentance.
   9. Vs.7 – Our sins testify against us shouting GUILTY!
      1. OK, we don’t deserve it…how about for your Name’s sake?
      2. Notice the appeal to God’s good name, NOT man’s deserving!
      3. Ezek 36:22 “'Thus says the Lord GOD: "I do not do this for your sake,O house of Israel, but for My holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went.”
   10. Vs.8 – God was like a tourist in His own land!
   11. Vs.9 – Can’t just show Remorse it must be Repentance!
       1. Ps. 51:17 “…A broken(not proud) and a contrite(crushed) heart; These, O God, You will not despise.”
   12. Gods Response (10-12)
   13. Vs.10 – Q: Where are you prone to wander? Where was your mind prone to wander…today? Where are your feet still not restrained?
   14. Vs.11 – “Don’t even pray for them!” – This is what it looks like when Gods Longsuffering runs out!”
   15. Vs.12 - You want rain? I’ll bring a “storm” dropping Swords; a “flood” of Famine, & let it “pour” w/Pestilence.
   16. THE PROPHETS PROTEST! (13-16)
   17. Vs.13 – Jer. says, “But it’s the prophets fault!
   18. Vs.14-16 – God responds Yes, & they’ll get judged for it!
       1. ​​​​​​​2 Tests for prophets(to prove if false).
       2. [1] 100% accuracy.
          1. Q: Has anyone ever prophesied over you & it hasn’t come true?
          2. Be careful, they’re out there!
       3. [2] Their message agreed w/the law of God.
          1. Is.8:20 “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speakaccording to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
   19. THE PROPHETS PRAYER! (17-22)
   20. It starts w/ “we acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness” & ends w/ “Therefore, we will wait for you!”