5 Declare in Judah and proclaim in Jerusalem , and say , " Blow the trumpet in the land ; Cry aloud and say , ' Assemble yourselves, and let us go Into the fortified cities .' 6 "Lift up a standard toward Zion ! Seek refuge , do not stand still, For I am bringing evil from the north , And great destruction . 7 "A lion has gone up from his thicket , And a destroyer of nations has set out; He has gone out from his place To make your land a waste . Your cities will be ruins Without inhabitant . 8 "For this , put on sackcloth , Lament and wail ; For the fierce anger of the Lord Has not turned back from us." 9 "It shall come about in that day ," declares the Lord , "that the heart of the king and the heart of the princes will fail ; and the priests will be appalled and the prophets will be astounded ." 10 Then I said , "Ah , Lord GOD ! Surely You have utterly deceived this people and Jerusalem , saying , ' You will have peace '; whereas a sword touches the throat ." 11 In that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem , "A scorching wind from the bare heights in the wilderness in the direction of the daughter of My people -not to winnow and not to cleanse , 12 a wind too strong for this -will come at My command; now I will also pronounce judgments against them. 13 "Behold , he goes up like clouds , And his chariots like the whirlwind ; His horses are swifter than eagles . Woe to us, for we are ruined !" 14 Wash your heart from evil , O Jerusalem , That you may be saved . How long e will your wicked thoughts Lodge within you? 15 For a voice declares from Dan , And proclaims wickedness from Mount Ephraim . 16 "Report it to the nations , now ! Proclaim over Jerusalem , 'Besiegers come from a far country , And lift their voices against the cities of Judah . 17 'Like watchmen of a field they are against her round about , 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 !"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:5-18
Commentary on Jeremiah 4:5-18
(Read Jeremiah 4:5-18)
The fierce conqueror of the neighbouring nations was to make Judah desolate. The prophet was afflicted to see the people lulled into security by false prophets. The approach of the enemy is described. Some attention was paid in Jerusalem to outward reformation; but it was necessary that their hearts should be washed, in the exercise of true repentance and faith, from the love and pollution of sin. When lesser calamities do not rouse sinners and reform nations, sentence will be given against them. The Lord's voice declares that misery is approaching, especially against wicked professors of the gospel; when it overtakes them, it will be plainly seen that the fruit of wickedness is bitter, and the end is fatal.