Jeremiah 14:20

We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee. WE ACKNOWLEDGE, O LORD, OUR WICKEDNESS - ()....

The Prophet here prescribes no doubt to the Jews the way of appeasing God. He before uttered a prayer, partly in order to reprove the people for their wicked obstinacy, and partly to shew to the godly and the elect that there remained some hope. But now he uses a simple form of prayer, when he says, _O Lord, we know, _etc Hardly one in a thousand then did know; but the Prophet does not assume the character of the whole people; and why not? He doubtless knew that the faithful among the people were very few; but he dictates for posterity a right form of prayer, so that they might iu exile know that this one thing only remained for them — to confess their sins, as otherwise they could not obtain pardon. He therefore says, _We know our wickedness and the iniquity of our fathers; for we have done wickedly against thee _We have already explained the Prophet’s meaning in these few words, — that...

17-22 Jeremiah acknowledged his own sins, and those of the people, but pleaded with the Lord to remember his covenant. In their distress none of the idols of the Gentiles could help them, nor could the heavens give rain of themselves. The Lord will always have a people to plead with him at his mercy-seat. He will heal every truly repenting sinner. Should he not see fit to hear our prayers on behalf of our guilty land, he will certainly bless with salvation all who confess their sins and seek his mercy....

Verse Jeremiah 14:20. _WE ACKNOWLEDGE, O LORD, OUR WICKEDNESS_] This the prophet did in behalf of the people; but, alas! they did not join him....

A second (compare Jeremiah 14:7) earnest intercession, acknowledging the wickedness of the nation, but appealing to the covenant and to God’s Almighty power. LOTHED - More exactly, “hath thrown away as worthless.” Jeremiah 14:20 OUR WICKEDNESS, AND - Omit and. National sin is the sin of the fathers, perpetuated generation after generation by the children. Jeremiah 14:21 This verse is in the original very emphatic, and consists of a series of broken ejaculations: “Abhor not for thy name’s sake! Disgrace - lightly esteem” in...

EXPOSITION This chapter must be read in connection with the following one. They describe chiefly Jeremiah's twofold attempt at intercession (see verses 7-9 and 19-22)—a tender and appealing attempt indeed. The terrible sufferings of the people during a drought went to the prophet's heart. He even ventured, when repelled the first time, to intercede anew, on the ground of the covenant, but in vain. On receiving (Jeremiah 15:2) a revelation of the bitter fate in store for his people, he bursts out into a heartrending complaint that his own destiny should throw him into such a whirlpool of strife. His Lord at once corrects and consoles him (Jeremiah 15:10). There are doubts, however, about the connection of these latter verses—The date of the drought is not stated; but as the punishm

WE ACKNOWLEDGE, O LORD, OUR WICKEDNESS, AND THE INIQUITY OF OUR FATHERS,.... This is said by the prophet, in the name of the few faithful that were among this people, who were sensible of their own sins, the sins of their ancestors, and which they ingenuously confess; their fathers had sinned, and they had imitated them, and continued in the same, and therefore might justly expect the displeasure of the Lord, and his controversy with them: FOR WE HAVE SINNED AGAINST THEE; Jeremiah 14:7....

In some respects, Jeremiah is one of the greatest of the ancient prophets, for he had most sorrowful task to perform. He had not to deliver a message full of Evangelical comfort, like that of Isaiah; nor had he gorgeous visions of coming kingdoms, as Ezekiel had; but he was the Cassandra of ibis age. Jeremiah spoke the truth, yet few believed him; his life was spent in sighing over a wicked people who rejected and despised him. He bore a heavy burden upon his heart, and tears continually bedewed his Cheeks, so that he was rightly called «the weeping prophet.» This chapter gives us an illustration of the style in which he used to pray. Jeremiah 14:1. _The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth._ There had been no rain, so the crops had failed, and there was a famine in the land. Jeremiah describes that famine in striking poetic imagery....

II. THE PROPHET'S MINISTRY BEFORE THE FALL OF JERUSALEM, THE PROPHECIES OF JUDGMENT AND RESTORATION, THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF JEREMIAH, HIS FAITHFULNESS AND HIS SUFFERING CHAPTER 14 The Great Drought, the Sword, the Famine, and the Pestilence _ 1. The description of the drought (Jeremiah 14:1) _ 2. The prophet's priestly intercession (Jeremiah 14:7) 3. The answer (Jeremiah 14:10) 4. The renewed prayer (Jeremiah 14:19) Jeremiah 14:1. The vivid description of the great drought is gi

JEREMIAH 14:1 TO JEREMIAH 15:9. THE DROUGHT IN JUDAH, AND JEREMIAH'S CONSEQUENT INTERCESSION. The date of this disaster is unknown, but some year in the latter half of Jehoiakim's reign is most probable. The effects of the drought are graphically described in Jeremiah 14:2. The personified gates represent the people who gather at them in mourning attire and attitude (sit in black upon the ground; _cf._ Jeremiah 8:21; Jeremiah 13:18). The empty pits are dried-up storage cisterns (_cf._...