Jerusalem’s prophets could not help her, because they were false prophets. These false prophets were very common in Jeremiah’s time. According to them, God had promised the people, “You shall not see the sword, nor shall you have famine, but I will give you assured peace in this place” (Jeremiah 14:13; see also Jeremiah 6:13–14; Jeremiah 8:10; Jeremiah 27:9; Jeremiah 28:1–2).
Like all false prophets, these prophets did not expose the sin of the people, but rather covered it. In this way, the people were hardened in their sin. It is often the leaders of God’s people who bring God’s people to a final fall.
14 Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading.