Jeremiah 14:11

This chapter was penned upon occasion of a great drought, for want of rain. This judgment began in the latter end of Josiah's reign, but, as it should seem, continued in the beginning of Jehoiakim's: for less judgments are sent to give warning of greater coming, if not prevented by repentance. This calamity was mentioned several times before, but here, in this chapter, more fully. Here is, I. A melancholy description of it (Jer 14:1-6). II. A prayer to God to put an end to this calamity and to return in mercy to their land (Jer 14:7-9). III. A severe threatening that God would proceed in his controversy, because they proceeded in their iniquity (Jer 14:10-12). IV. The prophet's excusing the people, by laying the blame on their false prophets; and the doom passed both on the deceivers and the deceived (Jer 14:13-16). V. Directions given to the prophet, instead of interceding for them, to lament them; but his continuing notwithstanding to intercede for them (Jer 14:17-22).

14:11-12 For the third time (see 7:16; 11:14), God told Jeremiah not to pray for the people of Judah and Jerusalem. It would be pointless for the people to fast, since the Lord had decided to pay no attention. The priests’ presentation of burnt offerings and grain offerings, which the Lord had given Moses as a way of worshiping him (see Lev 1–2), would be wasted effort, because the Lord would not accept them. Instead, the Lord would respond with war, famine, and disease.