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This is the LORD’s word that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:
Verse 1. Drought, during the last siege, (verse 18. Saint Jerome) or after the captivity of Jechonias; (Calmet. 8:13) though the famine might happen in the days of Josias. Joel 1. Calmet.—This scourge was in punishment of sin, and signified the privation of grace. Worthington.
“Judah mourns, and its gates languish. They sit in black on the ground. The cry of Jerusalem goes up.
Their nobles send their little ones to the waters. They come to the cisterns, and find no water. They return with their vessels empty. They are disappointed and confounded, and cover their heads.
Verse 3. Water. Siloe was the only spring near, and it was often dry, (Saint Jerome) though it was formerly abundant, (Jos. Bel. vi. 6.) as well as the fountain of Gehon. The city was furnished with cisterns. Calmet.—But all was now dry. Bible.—Heads; mourning. 2 Kennicott. 15:30.
Because of the ground which is cracked, because no rain has been in the land, the plowmen are disappointed. They cover their heads.
Yes, the doe in the field also calves and forsakes her young, because there is no grass.
Verse 5. Field. They prefer places frequented by men. Pliny viii. 32.
The wild donkeys stand on the bare heights. They pant for air like jackals. Their eyes fail, because there is no vegetation.
Verse 6. Wind, for refreshment.—Failed, through want, though they be very piercing.
Though our iniquities testify against us, work for your name’s sake, LORD; for our rebellions are many. We have sinned against you.
Verse 7. Sake. We have the honour to be called thy people. We urge no merit of our own.
You hope of Israel, its Savior in the time of trouble, why should you be as a foreigner in the land, and as a wayfaring man who turns aside to stay for a night?
Verse 8. Lodge. The Fathers apply this to our Saviour, in a spiritual sense. Calmet.
Why should you be like a scared man, as a mighty man who can’t save? Yet you, LORD, are in the middle of us, and we are called by your name. Don’t leave us.
Verse 9. Wandering. Septuagint “sleeping;” ( Bible.) or as a boaster, who thinks himself strong. Worthington.—Upon us. Shall strangers rule over thy people?
The LORD says to this people: “Even so they have loved to wander. They have not restrained their feet. Therefore the LORD does not accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity, and punish them for their sins.”
Verse 10. Rested. They are inconstant, fond of novelties, and apply to idols.
The LORD said to me, “Don’t pray for this people for their good.
Verse 11. Good, that the drought may be removed. Calmet. See Calmet. 7:16 and 11:14. Menochius.—“It is folly to pray for him who has sinned unto death,” (Saint Jerome 1 Jo. verse 16) by final impenitence. Calmet.—Sacrifices will not benefit the impenitent. Saint Jerome
When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and meal offering, I will not accept them; but I will consume them by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence.”
Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, the prophets tell them, ‘You will not see the sword, neither will you have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.’”
Verse 13. Ah. Hebrew has only one exclamation, or three letters, which Aquila renders, Ah, ah, ah. Calmet. 1:6. Ezekiel 4:14. Bible.—Jeremias lays the blame on false prophets. Calmet.—Yet they afford no excuse to thy followers. Both fall into the ditch. Worthington.
Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in my name. I didn’t send them. I didn’t command them. I didn’t speak to them. They prophesy to you a lying vision, divination, and a thing of nothing, and the deceit of their own heart.
Therefore the LORD says concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name, but I didn’t send them, yet they say, ‘Sword and famine will not be in this land.’ Those prophets will be consumed by sword and famine.
The people to whom they prophesy will be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword. They will have no one to bury them—them, their wives, their sons, or their daughters, for I will pour their wickedness on them.
“You shall say this word to them: “‘Let my 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 wound.
Verse 17. My. Septuagint “your eyes.” Jeremias shews by his tears the future misery. Calmet.—Virgin. Though many were sinners, the Church had some just souls. Worthington.
If I go out into the field, then behold, the slain with the sword! If I enter into the city, then behold, those who are sick with famine! For both the prophet and the priest go about in the land, and have no knowledge.’”
Verse 18. Famine. Under Jechonias many were slain, and the chiefs carried into captivity. 4 Kennicott. 24:12.—Into. Hebrew “through the land, and are ignorant.” Chal. “they apply to their business, to earthly concerns, and care not.” Calmet. 5:31.
Have you utterly rejected Judah? Has your soul loathed Zion? Why have you struck us, and there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of healing, and behold, dismay!
We acknowledge, LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers; for we have sinned against you.
Do not abhor us, for your name’s sake. Do not disgrace the throne of your glory. Remember, and don’t break your covenant with us.
Verse 21. Glory; heaven, the temple or Jerusalem. How will infidels blaspheme!
Are there any among the vanities of the nations that can cause rain? Or can the sky give showers? Aren’t you he, the LORD our God? Therefore we will wait for you; for you have made all these things.
Verse 22. Rain. Let not the people have recourse to idols, ( Calmet.) in despair. Bible.