These false prophets would be the first to experience the very judgment they denied. But all those who listened to their lies would also experience this judgment. Sword
and famine
will consume these prophets and the people who listened to them will be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and sword, with none to bury them – them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. For I will pour out their evil upon them.
When the Babylonian invasion comes, all those who preached and believed the message that the Lord will not judge his people, will be devastated by that judgment.
The Lord does not accept Jeremiah’s plea on behalf of the people. The fact that these prophets preached is no excuse for the unfaithfulness of the people. They willingly listened to these prophets and chose to reject Jeremiah’s message. They deliberately ignored what the covenant said about how they should assess all prophets (Deuteronomy 13:1–5).1 The people had deliberately turned to prophets who said what their itching ears wanted to hear.
15 Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name although I did not send them, and who say, ‘Sword and famine shall not come upon this land’: By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed.