"Therefore the showers have been withheld"
Text: Jeremiah 3:3
AN AGRARIAN NIGHTMARE
Judah turned away from the LORD their God, who had been their Redeemer. Moses had warned the people that if they were to forsake their covenant with God, He would change the rain to powder and dust (Deuteronomy 28:24). The farmers suffered terribly because of the lack of rain!
“Therefore the showers have been withheld,
And there has been no latter rain.
You have had a harlot’s forehead;
You refuse to be ashamed.”
Jeremiah 3:3
1. “Therefore the showers have been withheld and there has been no latter rain”
a) God had actually promised to give the rain in its season
if the children of Israel clung to God in faith and love (Deuteronomy 11:13-15).
b) Rain (weather) had been taken for granted.
c) To have a successful harvest the farmers would need:
i) The former rain (sometimes called “the early rain” Deuteronomy 11:14)
This is a reference to the rain that comes in Autumn.
ii) The latter rain
This is a reference to the rain that comes in Spring.
d) Judah turned to Baal (god) and Astoreth (goddess)
i) These were deities associated with rain and fertility.
ii) If these idols were worshipped, rain would then come.
iii) The opposite took place.
iv) The showers of rain did not come. They were withheld by God!
2. “You have had a harlot’s forehead; you refuse to be ashamed”
a) Turning to idolatry was compared to harlotry.
b) A harlot’s forehead is a figure of speech.
c) It is explained as “a lack of shame”.
d) Judah refused:
i) To acknowledge sin.
ii) To show repentance.
iii) To forsake the idols worshipped, though their devotion was in vain.