Jeremiah 14:12

Jeremiah 14:12 says, When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.  God told Jeremiah that He would not accept the sacrifices of the people of Judah because they were not obeying His laws and were also worshipping false gods.  Just because we offer a sacrifice to God doesn't mean that He has to accept it if it is offered for the wrong reason.  Verse thirteen states, Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.  Jeremiah said that the other prophets who were supposedly speaking for God told the people that they would not see the sword or famine, but that God would give them peace.  There are many people today who profess to speak for God, but their message is not consistent with His word.  Verse fourteen declares, Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.  God very clearly and emphatically told Jeremiah that these so called prophets lied.  I believe that God will let followers of Christ recognize when lies are spoken in His name today, if we are relying on the Holy Spirit to guide us.  Verse fifteen adds, Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.  God said that those prophets who said that there would be no sword and famine would be consumed by the sword and famine.  Verse sixteen continues, And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.  God said that those who believed the false prophets would likewise die by famine and the sword, and that there would not even be anyone left to bury them.  Those who follow after false prophets will one day know the truth of the fact that there is salvation in Christ alone, but it will be too late for them.  Verse seventeen declares, Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.  Jeremiah said to let his eyes run down with tears day and night because of the condition of Judah.  Do we have that same concern for the country today?  Verse eighteen adds, If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.  Jeremiah asked if he would have to see all this devastation.  Verse nineteen asks, Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!  Jeremiah asked God if He had rejected Judah, but the problem was that Judah had rejected God.  If we find ourselves spiritually suffering today, it will not be because God has rejected us but because we have rejected His word.  Verse twenty declares, We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.  Jeremiah said that they acknowledged their sin and wickedness, but he could only speak for himself.  We cannot confess for the sins of others and make them right with God.  Verse twenty-one adds, Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.  Jeremiah attempted to put the blame on God, telling Him not to break His covenant, but it was the people who had broken theirs.  Verse twenty-two concludes, Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.  Jeremiah acknowledged that God alone was God and that He alone could bring the rain.  We must acknowledge that God alone is God if we are to find salvation.