The Bible Says
Jeremiah 14:10-12 Meaning

The prophet Jeremiah, who ministered to the people of Judah in the late seventh to early sixth century BC, relays a severe warning from the LORD in Jeremiah 14:10-12. He declares, "Even so they have loved to wander; they have not kept their feet in check. Therefore the LORD does not accept them; now He will remember their iniquity and call their sins to account" (v. 10). Here, the word “wander” describes Judah’s inclination to stray into idolatry and unbelief, ignoring the covenant they were supposed to uphold. The LORD’s mention of remembering their iniquity points toward His judgment: their sins were not overlooked, and they would soon face the painful results of their disobedience. Jeremiah delivers this message during a tumultuous era, right before Babylon’s ascension to power would bring catastrophe upon Judah.

In Jeremiah 14:11, the LORD speaks directly to Jeremiah: "So the LORD said to me, 'Do not pray for the welfare of this people'" (v. 11). This shocking instruction highlights how far the people’s rebellion had gone. Normally, prophets acted as intercessors, pleading for mercy on behalf of the nation. But the Eternal God, whose righteous indignation had been stirred by repeated sin, now commands Jeremiah to refrain from even approaching Him on Judah’s behalf. This stark declaration underscores the seriousness of their spiritual betrayal and emphasizes the gravity of the coming consequences.

That consequence is further clarified when the LORD states, "When they fast, I am not going to listen to their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I am not going to accept them. Rather I am going to make an end of them by the sword, famine and pestilence" (v. 12). Fasting and sacrifices, normally respected acts of repentance, are dismissed by God because the people’s hearts remain distant from Him. The threat of sword, famine, and pestilence announces a comprehensive judgment that Babylon’s siege and aftermath would soon make a reality. In the broader scriptural narrative, this sober warning foreshadows the necessity of genuine repentance-an ongoing theme carried into the New Testament, where Jesus calls His followers to transform from the inside out (Matthew 4:17).