Lenten Readings -- Jeremiah 4

Introduction to Jeremiah
Jeremiah 1
Jeremiah 2 
Jeremiah 3
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1. If Jeremiah 3 had the hope that a remnant of the destroyed northern kingdom might come south and be restored to Yahweh, Jeremiah 4 calls out to Judah itself to do the same. If Judah will stop serving other gods and return to Yahweh, "the nations will be blessed by you" (4:2). First, though, they need to get rid of their abominations -- which is exactly what Josiah tried to do in 621BC. But, apparently, it was just lipstick on an idolatrous pig.

In 4:4, we get the origins of an image that Paul himself will use in Romans 2:29 -- circumcision of the heart. Jeremiah in general seems to downplay the "external" practices of Israel's religion at the time. He thus gives precedence to Paul's more interiorized approach to Israel's faith. In Jeremiah 3:16, he dismisses the Ark of the Covenant as a distraction. In Jeremiah 7, he will indict those who rely on the temple. 

Here, he may imply that a circumcision of the heart is more important than the circumcision of a man's flesh.

2.  The next section of the chapter warns about the impending invasion of Babylon (4:5-18). This is quite prophetic, for Assyria was still in power at the time and would not be soundly defeated until 609, possibly over a decade later.

But there was still hope at that time, a chance for repentance. "O Jerusalem, wash your heart clean of wickedness so that you will be saved" (4:14). Alas, it was not to be, although Josiah certainly tried. Dan in the north would experience their arrival first (4:15). "Blow the trumpet," for the enemy would soon come (4:5). Why? Because Judah has rebelled against the LORD and served Ba'al and Asherah (4:17).

3. It is anguish for Jeremiah (4:19). What anguish to see what is coming, to see the solution, and to be powerless to do anything about it because the people and its leaders do not listen. "For my people are foolish; they do not know me. They are unintelligent children; they have no understanding" (4:22). 

The irony is often that we think we have understanding. We may even think God is on our side. Yet we don't listen to the voices of the wise, the voices of those who know God's heart. We trust in our own understanding without knowing it. We ignore the gnawing voices of those who proclaim God's heart, and disaster ensues. "Nothing's going to happen," we tell ourselves.

Judah was undoing creation. In Genesis 1, God takes that which is "tohu," chaos, and orders it so that it works and is good. But the land is now "formless" again (4:23). In Genesis 1:3, God brings light into the darkness. But now there is no light in the sky. The birds God placed in the sky have now fled (4:25). The land that God filled with trees is now a desert.

Jeremiah could see the birthpains. Judah is like a woman in the birthpains about to give birth to destruction, but she couldn't see it. Jeremiah could see it. He could hear the sound of the approaching trumpet even though Jerusalem could not (4:19).

"In vain you beautify yourself" (4:30). Jeremiah sees the danger of Jerusalem trying to dress herself up so that she would be attractive to external aggressors like Egypt. But, ironically, "they seek your life." It was pointless to trust in them. Yahweh alone could save them.