Jer 10:18 | KingComments | STEP | The tone of the prophet changes again. The LORD calls Jerusalem – “you who dwell under siege” – to prepare for their exile ( ; cf. ). They should just grab together what they need for the exile. They may feel safe in their fortress, but that is a false sense of security. The LORD is going to make His people suffer the consequences of their unfaithfulness by slinging them out of the land ( ). Their exile to Babylon will take place with the force and speed of a stone being slinged away, without being able to resist it, just as a stone does not resist being slinged away. The LORD will afflict them with the terrors of exile. Then they will experience the truth of all the warnings given to them by the LORD. Upon hearing these words, Jeremiah cringes ( ). He makes himself one with those who refuse to listen to his message and are therefore judged. He loves his people so much that he feels God’s judgments on His people pressing down on him like a sickness, which he must bear, with no hope of cure (cf. ). Because of God’s judgment, he lost everything where he found rest and companionship ( ). By that can be meant the temple, but also Jerusalem and the whole land. The ropes, the connections, what holds everything together, have been broken. No one has a hold on anything anymore. There is also no one who can effect a change for the better, who can stretch out the tent again and set up the curtains again. No one can restore what has been lost. That great is the devastation and desolation. Jeremiah does know the cause. The shepherds, the leaders of the people, kings like Jehoiakim and Zedekiah and lower administrators, have not sought the LORD ( ). They did not consult Him and then it is impossible to act wisely. Their wrong example has scattered the whole people like a flock. The unity is gone. The terrifying sound of impending judgment follows ( ). Rumor reaches the city that the armies of Babylon have invaded the land in the north. The consequences are clear. They will make the cities of Judah a desolation. People will no longer be able to live there. They will become a haunt of jackals.

‏ Jeremiah 10:18

Exile for Sinful Israel

The tone of the prophet changes again. The LORD calls Jerusalem – “you who dwell under siege” – to prepare for their exile (Jer 10:17; cf. Eze 12:3-16). They should just grab together what they need for the exile. They may feel safe in their fortress, but that is a false sense of security.

The LORD is going to make His people suffer the consequences of their unfaithfulness by slinging them out of the land (Jer 10:18). Their exile to Babylon will take place with the force and speed of a stone being slinged away, without being able to resist it, just as a stone does not resist being slinged away. The LORD will afflict them with the terrors of exile. Then they will experience the truth of all the warnings given to them by the LORD.

Upon hearing these words, Jeremiah cringes (Jer 10:19). He makes himself one with those who refuse to listen to his message and are therefore judged. He loves his people so much that he feels God’s judgments on His people pressing down on him like a sickness, which he must bear, with no hope of cure (cf. Nah 3:19a).

Because of God’s judgment, he lost everything where he found rest and companionship (Jer 10:20). By that can be meant the temple, but also Jerusalem and the whole land. The ropes, the connections, what holds everything together, have been broken. No one has a hold on anything anymore. There is also no one who can effect a change for the better, who can stretch out the tent again and set up the curtains again. No one can restore what has been lost. That great is the devastation and desolation.

Jeremiah does know the cause. The shepherds, the leaders of the people, kings like Jehoiakim and Zedekiah and lower administrators, have not sought the LORD (Jer 10:21). They did not consult Him and then it is impossible to act wisely. Their wrong example has scattered the whole people like a flock. The unity is gone.

The terrifying sound of impending judgment follows (Jer 10:22). Rumor reaches the city that the armies of Babylon have invaded the land in the north. The consequences are clear. They will make the cities of Judah a desolation. People will no longer be able to live there. They will become a haunt of jackals.