Perhaps this is a special circumstance. Or maybe it’s a regular thing that we need to grow accustomed to. “God does whatever He pleases.”
See Jeremiah 14:11-12 for the case and point. “The Lord said to me: ‘Do not pray for the welfare of this people.Though they fast, I will not hear their cry, and though they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence.'”
Just a couple verses later, Jeremiah complains about the lying prophets. So God says, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.”
Doesn’t that just seem bizarre? Yet we have people doing similar things today. They speak on behalf of God despite not hearing from God. They speak lies because that’s what the masses want to hear. I pray, earnestly, that I am never guilty of this sin. I want to speak truth above all.
After reading 15, I believe this was Jeremiah’s heart as well. He wanted to speak truth, it was getting him into trouble, so he prayed and asked for deliverance. God answered Jeremiah’s prayer, though He wouldn’t answer the prayer of the masses.
Chapter 16 continues the refrain of judgment on the nation for sin. Exile is looming.
Omer Redden 