Jeremiah 14:5
Yea the hinde also calued in the field, and forsooke it, because there was no grasse. Jeremiah 14:5 (KJV)
Jeremiah 14:5 is a verse from the book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament. It belongs to a lamentation in which the prophet Jeremiah voices his deep distress over the desperate condition of the people of Judah. Understanding this verse benefits from seeing it within the chapter’s context and the broader themes of Jeremiah’s ministry.
The book of Jeremiah records the messages of the prophet to the kingdom of Judah during a turbulent era marked by the looming threat of Babylonian invasion and exile. Judah’s disobedience and idolatry had provoked divine judgment, and Jeremiah repeatedly warned the nation of impending disaster while urging repentance and a return to God.
In this particular verse the prophet paints a stark picture of drought and famine. He describes a hind (female deer) that calves in the field but, because there is no grass, abandons its young. The image conveys the severity of the situation, showing that even the animals are driven to desperate measures. The lack of grass symbolizes spiritual barrenness and the absence of sustenance that results from the people’s unfaithfulness.
Metaphorically, the hind’s abandonment of its offspring represents Judah’s abandonment of God and His commands. Just as the hind forsakes its young, the nation has turned away from its covenant relationship with the Lord. The verse therefore serves as a powerful illustration of the consequences of forsaking God: physical famine mirrors spiritual famine, and judgment follows disobedience.
The passage underscores the importance of remaining faithful and obedient to God’s statutes in order to avoid both literal and spiritual starvation. It calls the people to recognize their waywardness, repent, and turn back to the Lord before the situation becomes irreversible.
Ultimately, Jeremiah 14:5 offers a warning and a reminder: even in the most challenging circumstances, believers are urged to seek God’s guidance, maintain steadfast faith, and trust in His provision rather than succumb to despair.
