Jeremiah 5:12
They have spoken falsely of the LORD and have said, ‘He will do nothing; no disaster will come upon us, nor shall we see sword or famine.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "It is not he" reveals more than just disbelief in the prophecy; it's a declaration that God Himself isn't the one speaking or acting. This audacious dismissal of divine authority, claiming God wouldn't intervene with disaster, is the very core of their denial, not just a doubt about future events.
Jeremiah has just declared that Jerusalem is full of deceit and has abandoned the Lord, even though He is present among them. In response, the people are dismissing the prophet's warnings, claiming God is not truly speaking through him and that disaster, like war or famine, will not befall them. They are effectively denying God's power and justice, believing they can continue in their sin without consequence.
Ever heard someone shrug off a warning and say, 'God won't mind that'? This verse shows a similar dangerous dismissal of divine authority.
The people in Jeremiah's day weren't just ignoring God; they were actively denying His message and His right to judge.
Speaking Falsely
The Hebrew word 'belied' here carries a sense of denying or disavowing. They weren't just doubting; they were rejecting the truth that God was speaking through Jeremiah.
'It Is Not He!'
This phrase is key. It wasn't necessarily a denial of God's existence, but a refusal to believe that He was the one speaking through the prophet or that He would bring the promised judgment. They treated God's words like mere human opinion, devoid of real power or consequence.
Imagine living with a false sense of security, convinced that disaster could never touch you. This verse reveals the people's dangerous self-deception.
The people's denial of God's words led them to believe they were immune to disaster.
Rejecting Judgment
Their declaration, 'no disaster will come upon us, nor shall we see sword or famine,' was a direct rebuttal of God's warnings delivered through Jeremiah. They chose to believe their own desires over divine pronouncements.
A False Peace
This wasn't a peace found in righteousness, but an illusion born from willful ignorance and defiance. They were spiritually asleep, utterly convinced that their actions had no eternal weight.
Understand the original words
kachash · Hebrew Verb
The act of speaking untruths or deceptive words; in a biblical context, it often refers to bearing false witness or claiming something about God that is contrary to His revealed character.
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
Calamity, ruin, or severe judgment; used in the prophets to describe the divine consequences for covenant disobedience, often manifested through war or natural catastrophe.
The people's scoffing dismissal of Jeremiah's warnings reflects a dangerous spiritual apathy, a denial of God's active role in history, and a foolish sense of security in the face of escalating geopolitical threats, even after witnessing the fall of their northern neighbors and the initial deportations.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Israel
The northern kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, leading to the exile of many of its people. This event served as a stark warning to Judah about the consequences of disobedience.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
The Assyrian army under Sennacherib invades Judah and besieles Jerusalem. Though the city is spared, the devastation underscores God's judgment on unfaithfulness.
626 BC
Jeremiah Called as Prophet
Jeremiah begins his prophetic ministry, warning the people of Judah about impending judgment due to their widespread sin and unfaithfulness to God.
c. 609 BC
Josiah's Reforms Reversed
King Josiah, who had implemented significant religious reforms, is killed in battle. His successors quickly abandon his reforms, leading Judah further into spiritual decline.
This passage echoes the same spirit of complacent disbelief, describing those who have grown 'stagnant' and are unconcerned, just like the people in Jeremiah who wrongly assume disaster won't come.
Psalm 14:1This psalm speaks of the 'fool' who says in his heart, 'there is no God,' mirroring the practical atheism of Jeremiah's audience who denied the Lord's involvement or power.
Isaiah 28:15Here, people have made a 'covenant with death' and a 'agreement with Sheol,' believing they are safe from disaster, which is similar to Jeremiah's audience who felt secure against the coming judgment.
Ezekiel 12:22This verse directly addresses the people's taunt, 'The days grow long, and every vision comes to nothing,' showing a widespread disbelief in prophetic warnings of judgment, just as in Jeremiah 5:12.
1 Thessalonians 5:3This New Testament passage warns that 'while people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come upon them suddenly,' which is a powerful parallel to the false sense of security held by those in Jeremiah's time.
barnesJeremiah 5:12: "They have belied the LORD, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:"
It is not he - i. e., Who speaks by the prophets.
pooleJeremiah 5:12: "They have belied the LORD, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:"
They have belied the Lord: this may signify either a denying, viz. a renouncing, making little or nothing of him, as some; or a denying, i.e. not believing, that these words of the prophet were God’s words, or God did not say so; he gave not the prophet, nor any other, any such commission; and possibly their atheism might grow to so high a degree as to deny…
The phrase "It is not he" reveals more than just disbelief in the prophecy; it's a declaration that God Himself isn't the one speaking or acting. This audacious dismissal of divine authority, claiming God wouldn't intervene with disaster, is the very core of their denial, not just a doubt about future events.
Jeremiah has just declared that Jerusalem is full of deceit and has abandoned the Lord, even though He is present among them. In response, the people are dismissing the prophet's warnings, claiming God is not truly speaking through him and that disaster, like war or famine, will not befall them. They are effectively denying God's power and justice, believing they can continue in their sin without consequence.
Jeremiah has just declared that Jerusalem is full of deceit and has abandoned the Lord, even though He is present among them. In response, the people are dismissing the prophet's warnings, claiming God is not truly speaking through him and that disaster, like war or famine, will not befall them. They are effectively denying God's power and justice, believing they can continue in their sin without consequence.
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605 BC— this verse
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and begins deporting members of the royal family and elite to Babylon, including the prophet Daniel. This marks the beginning of Judah's Babylonian captivity.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar again attacks Jerusalem, deporting more of the population and important figures, including the prophet Ezekiel.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians finally destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and scattering the remaining Judean population.
"They have spoken falsely of the LORD and have said, ‘He will do nothing; no disaster will come upon us, nor shall we see sword or famine." — The phrase "It is not he" reveals more than just disbelief in the prophecy; it's a declaration that God Himself isn't the one speaking or acting. This audacious dismissal of divine authority, claimin…
