A vision of the coming destruction 4:23-26 - Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

Resource > Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable) > Jeremiah > Exposition > II. Prophecies about Judah chs. 2--45 > A. Warnings of judgment on Judah and Jerusalem chs. 2-25 > 1. Warnings of coming punishment because of Judah's guilt chs. 2-6 > Yahweh's declaration of divine judgment 4:5-6:30 > A vision of the coming destruction 4:23-26

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"In one of the most magnificent lyrical passages in the entire prophecy [vv. 23-31], Jeremiah experiences a dramatic moment of insight concerning the outpouring of divine anger upon Judah."¹²⁵

4:23 Jeremiah described the land of Judah after the coming devastation as completely desolate, like the earth and heavens before God formed and filled them. He suggested that they would return to primeval chaos.

4:24 He described the mountains, symbols of stability and strength, as moving back and forth. This was a picture of instability and weakness for the people.

4:25 The people had deserted the land, and even the birds were gone, so thoroughly had this enemy purged the land.¹²⁶

4:26 The Lord's fierce anger had resulted in the land becoming wild and the cities destroyed.

"The picture is so extreme that only our present forebodings of nuclear winter may seem to come within sight of it."¹²⁷