Jeremiah 4:1-31
Q.1. What was God’s hope for Judah? How did He want them to respond? Why was destruction inevitable? Did Jeremiah enjoy pronouncing judgment? Was there any hope for Judah? – (Jer.4:1-18 c.f. Jer.20:7-11)
God still made His appeal to Judah, in spite of the detestable idols on which they had relied (Jer.4:3-4). He called the people to return to Him, so that the nation would fulfil its lofty purpose – If you will swear, ‘As the Lord lives,’ in truth, in justice and in righteousness; Then the nations will bless themselves in Him, and in Him they will glory.” (Jer.4:2 c.f. Gen.22:18; 28:13-14; Ps.117:1-2; Rom.15:8-12). Jeremiah was confused by such a promise of grace when he foresaw Judah’s destruction. He did not enjoy being a prophet of doom. He exclaimed – Ah, Lord God! Surely You have utterly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, ‘You will have peace’; whereas a sword touches the throat (Jer.4:10 c.f. Jer.20:7-11). God roused the nation for battle, since destruction was inevitable – For I am bringing evil from the north, and great destruction (Jer.4:6 c.f. Jer.4:5-9). Jeremiah wrote down the ruin of what he saw, while God still called – Wash your heart from evil, O Jerusalem, that you may be saved (Jer.4:14 c.f. Jer.4:11-13). The northern tribes of Israel were proof that God would carry out His threats, yet to no avail – 17 … because she has rebelled against Me,’ declares the Lord. 18 “Your ways and your deeds have brought these things to you. This is your evil. How bitter! How it has touched your heart!” (Jer.4:17-18).
Q.2. How was Jeremiah impacted by his prophecies? Could anyone turn back the destruction of his people? Would the destruction be complete? Will Judah’s lovers care? – (Jer.4:19-31)
Once more Jeremiah revealed his heart for his people. He declared a scene of utter devastation that left him broken-hearted – 19 My soul, my soul! I am in anguish! Oh, my heart! My heart is pounding in me; I cannot be silent because you have heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. 20 Disaster on disaster is proclaimed, for the whole land is devastated … How long must I see the standard and hear the sound of the trumpet? (Jer.4:19-21 c.f. Jer.4:10; 20:7-9). God held out no hope for Judah – For My people are foolish, they know Me not; They are stupid children and have no understanding. They are shrewd to do evil, but to do good they do not know (Jer.4:22). The prophecy that followed related to the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem in the immediate future – to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah … (c.f. 2 Chron.36:11 c.f. 2 Chron.36:15-21). However, it also described the events of Armageddon, when the earth will be destroyed and re-landscaped – 23 I looked on the earth, and behold, it was formless and void; And t the heavens, and they had no light. 24 I looked on the mountains, and behold, they were quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro (Jer.4:23-24 c.f. Rev.16:15-21). Sadly, God declared – I looked, and behold there was no man … (Jer.4:25). Both then and in future – 26 I looked, and behold, the fruitful land was a wilderness, and all its cities were pulled down before the Lord, before His fierce anger. 27 For thus says the Lord, “The whole land shall be desolated, yet I will not execute a complete destruction (Jer.4:26-27). God leaves room for the penitent. This terrible judgment that will finally end the Great Tribulation, leaves room for hope. However, it cannot be avoided – “For this the earth shall mourn and the heavens above be dark, because I have spoken, I have purposed, and I will not change My mind, nor will I turn from it.” (Jer.4:28). Jeremiah went on to document the futility of trusting in the surrounding nations and their gods. In fact – Your lovers despise you; They seek your life (Jer.4:30).