Jeremiah
Chapter 6
DECLARE HOLY WAR
Threats Against Jerusalem
People of Benjamin! Seek safety beyond Jerusalem. Sound the trumpet in Tekoa, raise a signal in Beth-haccherem, for misfortune is coming from the north: it will be a huge disaster.
Should I not compare you, daughter of Zion, to a beautiful pasture?
Shepherds with their flocks are coming to her; they set up their tents and feed their flocks all around her.
Declare a holy war against her, attack her at noontime. Woe to us! For the day is fading; the evening shadows are growing longer!
Rise up! We will attack at night and destroy her palaces!
For the Lord of Hosts has spoken: “Cut down trees and build a siege-ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished, for all within her is oppression.
Evil flows from her like water from a well. The city echoes with violence and oppression, and suffering and cruelty are constantly before me.
Announcement of Punishment
“Take warning, O Jerusalem, lest I turn away from you and make you a deserted land.”
The Lord of Hosts also said: “You shall thoroughly glean what is left of Israel like a vine. You shall do what the grape gatherer does when his hand moves over the branches again.”
Whom should I speak to, whom should I warn? None of them want to listen so they can understand. Their ears are blocked, and they pay no attention. They scorn what the Lord says and refuse to listen.
The anger of the Lord has filled me, and I can’t take it anymore! “Then pour it out on the children in the street and the gathering of young men; both husband and wife will be caught, both the elderly and those not of age.
Their houses will be given to others,
All of them, along with their fields and wives, when I stretch out my hand and strike the people of the land —this is the Lord speaking. from the least to the greatest, are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike are deceitful. as nothing, saying: “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. of their detestable deeds. But they have no shame and don’t even know how to blush. Surely, they will fall with those who fall; when I ask them to account, they will stumble —this is the Lord’s declaration.
They dismiss the disaster of my people
They should be ashamed
Rebellion of Israel
This is what the Lord says: “Stand in the roads and look. Ask for the ancient paths and learn where the good way is. Walk on it and find peace for yourselves.” But you said: “We will not take it.”
Then the Lord appointed watchmen over you: “Pay attention to the sound of the horn!” But you said: “We will not listen.”
Listen, nations; understand what is coming for them!
Listen, earth! I am bringing disaster on these people! It is the result of their rebellion because they ignored my words and disrespected my law.
The incense from Sheba means nothing to me, so don’t bring the fragrant cane from far away. Your burnt offerings are not acceptable to me, nor do I find your sacrifices pleasing.
This is what the Lord says: “I will place stumbling blocks before this people to make them stumble, parents and children, neighbors and friends together.”
Invasion from the North
It is the Lord who speaks: “See, a people comes from the north, a powerful nation from the ends of the earth.
Armed with bow and spear, they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the roaring sea. Mounted on horses, in battle formation, they come as a fire against you, daughter of Zion.”
When we heard this, our hands went limp, and anguish overtook us like childbirth pains.
“Let us not go to the fields or onto the roads, for the enemy’s sword causes terror everywhere.”
O, my people! Wrap yourselves in sackcloth and roll in ashes; mourn with bitter lamentation as for an only child, for the destroyer is coming against us.
I have appointed you as an examiner among my people so that you can observe and understand their ways.
They are all rebels and slanderers. They are like bronze and iron, and they are all corrupt.
The bellows blow to burn away the lead with fire, but the smelter works in vain, for the evil elements remain.
They will be called “worthless silver,” for the Lord has rejected them.
Commentaries
Threats Against Jerusalem.
The prophet warns the residents of Benjamin in Jerusalem. These could have been members of the tribe of Benjamin seeking refuge there, possibly driven out by the violence of the Syro-Ephraimite war. Benjamin was the smallest of the territories, located between northern Judah and southern Ephraim (cf. Jos 18:11).
Jerusalem is depicted as a place of contradictions; it is full of deceit, oppression, and lies. Because of this, it will be visited; if the city considers itself a meadow, it will be invaded by flocks and shepherds, not to enjoy it but to destroy it. This image refers to armies and leaders. The Israelites believed that in their battles, the Lord went before them, fighting on their behalf (cf. Dt 1:30; 20:4). However, Jeremiah himself confirms that such divine presence will no longer be there, as the Lord has decided not only to abandon the Israelite camps but also to attack them (cf. Jr 21:5).
Announcement of Punishment.
Despite the imminent threat of invasion, no one seems to understand what is happening; the prophet himself feels pessimistic about being heard when even the Word of God is mocked (10). However, even though the moral and religious environment is very bleak, with neither prophets nor priests setting a good example and even ignoring reality (14), the Word must be proclaimed to another often-overlooked audience: the boys and groups of carefree young people in the streets (11). It is essential that the Word of God is proclaimed at all times—whether it is the right season or not—regardless of occasion (cf. 2 Tim 4:2). This Word, which is not ours but God’s, should be proclaimed even if it displeases many, to expose those who are skilled at whitewashing reality and dulling the conscience of the people.
Rebellion of Israel.
Israel is a stubborn and obstinate people; it has been warned of the coming situation, but it does not listen. Every effort has been made to persuade it to change its ways; yet it continues stubbornly to go against the Lord’s plan. Its obstinacy and empty worship are here condemned by its own God.
Invasion from the North.
This section closely resembles 6:4-8, with the difference that here, instead of urging conversion, God calls for mourning and weeping, likening it to the mourning of an only child (cf. Zec 12:10). Amidst Judah’s indifference, destruction becomes inevitable.