Why does Jeremiah ask why the Lord feels like a stranger in the land, like a traveller who only stays for a night and like a warrior who cannot save?
Following the confession in Jeremiah 14:7, there now follows a prayer of supplication in Jeremiah 14:8–9 asking the Lord to save Judah from the drought.
The structure of this short poem highlights the despair expressed in this prayer1:
A: Jeremiah 14:8a O hope of Israel, its saviour in time of trouble.
B: Jeremiah 14:8b “Why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?
B’:Jeremiah 14:9a Why should you be like a man confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot save?”
A’: Jeremiah 14:9b Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not leave us.
The prayer begins (A) and ends (A’) by expressing the Lord’s covenant relationship with Judah. He is the only hope of Israel who can save them from the drought (Jeremiah 14:8a). He is also the God who has committed to living with the people, that he has called by his name, in the land (Jeremiah 14:9b). Yet, the reality of the situation means that provocative questions typical of a lament are asked by the people in the two central parts of the prayer (B and B’). These questions are asked in lament, expressing confusion, even accusing the Lord. Jeremiah’s words reflect the way the people see things from the perspective of being in a desperate situation.2 Why does the Lord feel like a stranger in the land, like a visitor who is just passing through (Jeremiah 14:8b)? Why does he seem to be confused and like a warrior who cannot save (Jeremiah 14:9a)? Section A also corresponds with Section B’ (the saviour seems unable to save) and Section B corresponds with Section A’ (the Lord who dwells with them feels like a stranger).
This prayer not only expresses a very honest cry, in a desperate situation, for the Lord to act according to his covenant promises, but there is also deep irony if these words are understood as part of a counter-liturgy. The people who accuse the Lord of being unable to save and like a stranger in the land are the very people who have treated him like a stranger and as if he is powerless, by turning to false gods and ignoring the covenant.
8 O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?