Jeremiah 4:19-21

19 Oh, my anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain. Oh, the agony of my heart! My heart pounds within me, I cannot keep silent. For I have heard the sound of the trumpet; I have heard the battle cry.
20 Disaster follows disaster; the whole land lies in ruins. In an instant my tents are destroyed, my shelter in a moment.
21 How long must I see the battle standard and hear the sound of the trumpet?

Jeremiah 4:19-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 4

This chapter begins with several exhortations to repentance; first to Israel, or the ten tribes, to return to the Lord with their whole hearts, and put away their abominations, and serve him in sincerity and uprightness of soul; with promises of rest and safety to themselves; and that it would have a happy influence on the Gentiles, and issue in their conversion; who would hereupon bless themselves in the Lord, and glory in him, Jer 4:1,2, and next to the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem, to show a concern for renewing and sanctifying grace, signified by various metaphors, lest they should be consumed with the fire of divine wrath, Jer 4:3,4 and then the destruction of that land and city is foretold and described, partly by what was introductory to it, and the proclamation of it, signified by blowing the trumpet, and setting up the standard, Jer 4:5,6,15,19,20, by an account of the destroyers, their cruelty, swiftness, and diligence, Jer 4:7,13,16,17, and of the destruction itself, compared to a violent wind, Jer 4:11,12, by the effect it should have upon the inhabitants of all sorts, high and low, Jer 4:8,9, and had upon the prophet himself, Jer 4:10,19,21, and by the cause and ground of it, the sins of the people, which they are called upon to repent of, Jer 4:14,17,18,22 and by a vision the prophet had of the dreadful desolation of the land, Jer 4:23-29 and by the vain and false hopes the people would have of their recovery, and the great anxiety and distress they would be in, Jer 4:30,31.

Cross References 11

  • 1. Isaiah 16:11; Isaiah 22:4; Jeremiah 6:24; Jeremiah 9:10; Lamentations 1:20
  • 2. S Job 6:10; S Job 14:22; Jeremiah 10:19
  • 3. S Job 37:1; Jeremiah 23:9
  • 4. S Job 4:2; Jeremiah 20:9
  • 5. S ver 21; S Numbers 10:2; S Job 39:24
  • 6. S ver 16; Numbers 10:9; Jeremiah 49:2; Zephaniah 1:16
  • 7. S Deuteronomy 31:17; Psalms 42:7; Ezekiel 7:26
  • 8. S ver 13
  • 9. S Numbers 24:5; Jeremiah 10:20; Lamentations 2:4
  • 10. S ver 6; S Numbers 2:2; S Isaiah 18:3
  • 11. ver 5,19; S Joshua 6:20; Jeremiah 6:1; Hosea 5:8; Amos 3:6; Zephaniah 1:16
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