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Judgment Proclaimed
Jeremiah 5:14–31 is a strong prophetic warning. Yahweh explains both the coming judgement and the sins behind it, then exposes a deeper problem: the people have not feared him, and even their leaders speak falsely.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, Yahweh speaks through Jeremiah about words that will burn like fire, a nation coming from far away, and the reason for this punishment. The message is addressed to the house of Jacob and Judah, and it ends by exposing corruption among prophets, priests, and the people.
Jeremiah 5:14–31Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Yahweh sees rebellion, deceit, and injustice, and he calls his people to recognise his authority and the seriousness of falsehood and sin.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A nation from far awayYahweh says Jeremiah’s words will be like fire and the people like wood, showing the power of God’s message to expose and consume.
Explanation
Yahweh says Jeremiah’s words will be like fire and the people like wood, showing the power of God’s message to expose and consume. He warns that a mighty nation from far away will come, one whose language the people do not understand, and it will destroy food supplies, animals, trees, and fortified cities.
02Judgement, but not a full endEven with this judgement, Yahweh says he will not make a full end of the people. When they ask why these things have happened, the answer is clear in the passage itself: they forsook Yahweh and served foreign gods, so they will serve strangers in a land that is not theirs.
Explanation
Even with this judgement, Yahweh says he will not make a full end of the people. When they ask why these things have happened, the answer is clear in the passage itself: they forsook Yahweh and served foreign gods, so they will serve strangers in a land that is not theirs.
03Eyes that do not seeThe message is to be declared publicly because the people are called foolish and without understanding.
Explanation
The message is to be declared publicly because the people are called foolish and without understanding. They have eyes and ears, yet do not truly respond. Yahweh points to his power over the sea and to his provision of rain and harvest, asking why the people do not fear him and recognising that their sins have withheld good.
04Deceit, injustice, and false leadersThe passage then describes wicked people among Yahweh’s own people. They set traps, fill their houses with deceit, grow rich, and neglect the fatherless and the needy.
Explanation
The passage then describes wicked people among Yahweh’s own people. They set traps, fill their houses with deceit, grow rich, and neglect the fatherless and the needy. Yahweh asks whether he should not punish such a nation. The final horror is that prophets speak falsely, priests rule by their own authority, and the people love it.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reasons does this passage give for the coming judgement?
Look for the stated causes in the people’s actions: serving foreign gods, refusing to fear Yahweh, sin, deceit, and failure to defend the needy.
02How does Yahweh describe the people’s failure to respond to him?
Notice the repeated language about not seeing, not hearing, not fearing, and having a rebellious heart.
03What is especially alarming about the ending of the passage?
The passage does not only accuse leaders of falsehood, but also says the people love it that way, which makes the problem widespread.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 5:14–31
14Therefore Yahweh, the God of Armies says, “Because you speak this word, behold, I will make my words in your mouth fire, and this people wood, and it will devour them.
15Behold, I will bring a nation on you from far away, house of Israel,” says Yahweh. “It is a mighty nation. It is an ancient nation, a nation whose language you don’t know and don’t understand what they say.
16Their quiver is an open tomb. They are all mighty men.
17They will eat up your harvest and your bread, which your sons and your daughters should eat. They will eat up your flocks and your herds. They will eat up your vines and your fig trees. They will beat down your fortified cities in which you trust with the sword.
18“But even in those days,” says Yahweh, “I will not make a full end of you.
19It will happen when you say, ‘Why has Yahweh our God done all these things to us?’ Then you shall say to them, ‘Just as you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your land, so you will serve strangers in a land that is not yours.’
20“Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying,
21‘Hear this now, foolish people without understanding, who have eyes, and don’t see, who have ears, and don’t hear:
22Don’t you fear me?’ says Yahweh; ‘Won’t you tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it can’t pass it? Though its waves toss themselves, yet they can’t prevail. Though they roar, they still can’t pass over it.’
23“But this people has a revolting and a rebellious heart. They have revolted and gone.
24They don’t say in their heart, ‘Let’s now fear Yahweh our God, who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season, who preserves to us the appointed weeks of the harvest.’
25“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withheld good from you.
26For wicked men are found among my people. They watch, as fowlers lie in wait. They set a trap. They catch men.
27As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit. Therefore they have become great, and grew rich.
28They have grown fat. They shine; yes, they excel in deeds of wickedness. They don’t plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper; and they don’t defend the rights of the needy.
29“Shouldn’t I punish for these things?” says Yahweh. “Shouldn’t my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
30“An astonishing and horrible thing has happened in the land.
31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority; and my people love to have it so. What will you do in the end of it?