Jeremiah 4

Notice Jeremiah’s deep love for his people and also his faithfulness in conveying God’s stern message to them. In a sense, Jeremiah was standing between God and the people, suffering on behalf of both. In this, Jeremiah was a forerunner of Jesus, who became the Mediator between God and men, and who suffered in order to bring salvation to the world (1 Timothy 2:5).

In verses 23–26, Jeremiah has a vision of the earth returning to its most primitive state, formless and empty and without light (see Genesis 1:2). It is as if the Lord had “uncreated” the earth! The fruitful land that God had given His people existed no more (verse 26).

27–28 But all is not lost! God in His mercy will spare part of the land—just as He will spare a “remnant” of His people (see Isaiah 10:20–23; Jeremiah 3:14). However, most of the land will be destroyed; God will not relent (verse 28)—unless the people repent.

29–31 Here again Jeremiah envisions the final days of Judah. He is shocked to see many in Judah resorting to the tricks of a prostitute; since they can’t beat the Babylonians, they try to entice them to become their lovers (verse 30). But it does not work.

Instead, the people of Judah have become like a woman dying in childbirth (verse 31). She is called the Daughter of Zion, a personification of Jerusalem and its inhabitants. Such is the fate of Judah and Jerusalem revealed in Jeremiah’s prophetic vision.

We should note again the cause of Judah’s fall: it was the sin of its people followed by God’s inevitable judgment upon them. This same cause continues to play a major role in the rise and fall of nations today. The fundamental reason for the deterioration and fall of any nation is always this: its people have turned away from God. It’s true that wicked nations may last a long time and righteous people may suffer unjustly; but in the end God will even the scales, and eternal justice will be done.

Let us note one other thing: there may come a time when we are required, like Jeremiah, to warn someone concerning his or her sin and its inevitable consequences. If that time comes, let us give our warning with agony of heart (verse 19), without a hint of pleasure or pride. We need to remember that God’s desire is not to punish people but to heal them, not to condemn people but to save them. That same desire must be ours as well.