Disaster from the North

A trumpet call is raised through Judah and Jerusalem, ordering people to flee toward fortified cities because ruin is coming from the north. The invader is likened to a lion rising from its thicket, so the land is to mourn in sackcloth under the LORD's fierce anger.

A⁵nnounce in Judah, proclaim in Jerusalem, and say: ⁶Raise a signal flag toward Zion. ⁷A lion has gone up from his thicket, ⁸So put on sackcloth,

The day of disaster will drain courage from king, officials, priests, and prophets alike. Jeremiah then cries out in anguish over a promised peace that now seems mocked by a sword at the throat.

⁹“In that day,” declares the LORD, ¹⁰Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, how completely You have deceived this people and Jerusalem by saying, ‘You will have peace,’ while a sword is at our throats.”

A scorching wind comes not for cleansing but for judgment, followed by the image of an advancing enemy with clouds, chariots, and swifter-than-eagle horses. Even here Jerusalem is urged once more to wash evil from her heart, because only that kind of cleansing can save.

¹¹At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A searing wind from the barren heights in the desert blows toward the daughter of My people, but not to winnow or to sift; ¹²a wind too strong for that comes from Me. Now I also pronounce judgments against them.” ¹³Behold, he advances like the clouds, ¹⁴Wash the evil from your heart, O Jerusalem,

News of disaster echoes down from Dan and Ephraim as watchers come from afar and shout against Judah's cities. Jerusalem is encircled like a guarded field, and the bitter pain of all this is named as the fruit of her own ways and deeds.

¹⁵For a voice resounds from Dan, ¹⁶Warn the nations now! ¹⁷They surround her like men guarding a field, ¹⁸“Your ways and deeds