The prophets were part of the problem. They share responsibility for the calamities that befell the nation. They did not confront the people with the implications of their sin and breaking the covenant relationship. Instead, they proclaimed a false message of peace and future prosperity (see Jeremiah 2:5; Jeremiah 10:15; Jeremiah 14:13; Jeremiah 16:19), which resulted in the encouragement of Baal worship with all its immorality and sin against God.1 If they had exposed the sin of the people with the aim that they might repent, the calamity could have been averted. These false prophets failed to restore the people to their right relationship with God.2 Because of this failure, they were held accountable for the nation's irreversible trend towards destruction and exile. The nation's flourishing depended upon the people’s obedience to the stipulations of the Sinai covenant, but the prophets did not instruct them in it. Their oracles were not only worthless, but misleading.
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.