The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?
Let us now see what was this monstrous thing which the Prophet here refers to, and which he abhorred. The prophets, he says, prophesy falsely It was no doubt enough to make all astonished, when these impostors assumed the name of prophets at Jerusalem, where God had chosen his habitation and his sanctuary: how great and how base a profanation was it of God’s name?
Here, I. The prophet shows them what mischief their sins had done them: They have turned away these things (Jer 5:25), the former and the latter rain, which they used to have in due season (Jer 5:24), but which had of late been withheld (Jer 3:3), by reason of which the appointed weeks of harvest had sometimes disappointed them.
Commenting on Jeremiah 5:25-31
bear rule by their means--literally, "according to their hands," that is, under their guidance (Ch1 25:3). As a sample of the priests lending themselves to the deceits of the false prophets, to gain influence over the people, see Jer 29:24-32. love to have it so-- (Mic 2:11). end thereof--the fatal issue of this sinful course when divine judgments shall come. Next: Jeremiah Chapter 6