080. Jeremiah Intercedes For His People In Time Of Famine.
Jeremiah Intercedes For His People In Time Of Famine. The land of Judah, was mourning, her hills and valleys were parched, and her people suffering from the effects of famine. The highest in the land as well as the poorest were alike panting for water, and the children of the nobles returned from the dry fountains with their pitchers empty. The animal creation too joined in the universal cry of distress and sorrow, and a wail was heard through all the land; the prophet pleads with God with more zeal than knowledge, as the Lord’s answer leads us to infer; he would have him show to the Gentiles he was ready to save, that the honor of his name—his goodness—laid him, as it were, under obligations to succor his people. But the Lord says, in reply to the prophet, he will punish them for their sins, as they do not forsake them through love or fear to him; the prayer is not accepted. Here again is the Christian reader taught a useful lesson, that he must forsake his sins and love God, would he have his prayers answered; if there is secret sin cherished, in vain will he call upon Him. Such petitions are an “abomination.” The Prayer as recorded.—Jeremiah 14:7-9. The Lord’s Answer.—Jeremiah 14:10-13. As if convinced the Lord was right and just in thus dealing with them, the prophet seems at a loss to know what to plead further for his people; he remembers that false prophets have given them repeated assurances of the favor of God; but the prophet is met here by the answer of the Lord, in denouncing these prophets as false. The Lord’s Answer.—Jeremiah 14:14-17. The Prophet still pleads earnestly for his people.—Jeremiah 14:19-22.
Hath the Lord cast off Judah? By this he means the visible church in which the promised Messiah should be raised up. The temple in which he manifested his especial presence above the mercy-seat, was the “throne of his glory,” would it not be disgraced if heathen were allowed to enter and profane it? The Lord’s Answer.—Jeremiah 15:1-6.
Jeremiah, not yet satisfied with the Lord’s Answer, still pleads.
Jeremiah felt as many a child of God has felt, and there are but few who cannot sympathize with the prophet as he continues to plead. We think, with the aid about us, we may look into his mind for a moment as he pours out his prayer, and see him reasoning with himself, and wondering, no doubt, at the Lord’s answers to him. He feels himself hated, despised, and rejected by the world—the fearful lot of many of God’s chosen, and he cannot yet understand why all these afflictions may not be removed; he seems to review his own life, to examine his own heart as he prays to the Almighty; he is not conscious of holding back the truth, but he knows he has proclaimed the whole counsel of God. Is it for any sin he has committed? In deep grief the prophet pours out his petition and reminds God of his promises. The Prayer continued, as recorded.—Jeremiah 15:15-21.
Jeremiah still prays.—Jeremiah 17:13-18.
He pleads for calmness of mind, for peace and composure, and to be saved from the power of his enemies, who continued to treat his predictions with contempt. The prophet spake as moved by God, or rather God spake by the prophet, and those who forsook him forsook the Lord. Would not the memory of such be soon blotted out or become infamous—their names be “written in the earth,” as the prophet expresses it in this prayer? He reminds the Lord he would not have chosen the path that he had appointed him to walk in, neither had he desired this “woeful day.” There is much confusion in his mind on account of his great troubles, and some apprehension of God’s displeasure towards him. The Lord’s Answer.—Jeremiah 17:19-27.