1. Jeremiah 3:3 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why have the rains been withheld?

Jeremiah 3:3 (ESV)

3 Therefore the showers have been withheld, and the spring rain has not come; yet you have the forehead of a whore; you refuse to be ashamed.

Spring rain fell in March and April and was vital to a successful harvest in Palestine.1 The rains, however, have stopped. The word therefore ( Jeremiah 3:3) makes it clear that this is a direct result of Judah’s behaviour described in Jeremiah 3:2. The Lord has stopped the rains as judgment on Judah’s unfaithfulness. This form of judgment is significant because Judah was especially tempted to worship Baal, who was believed to bring the rains. The Lord seems to be saying to Judah, if you worship Baal for rain and fertility, then I will withhold them to show you who is really in control.2