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The Advice to Flee from Jerusalem
v. 1. O ye children of Benjamin, here addressed particularly because Jerusalem was situated on the border of their territory and because Jeremiah wanted to appeal especially to the members of his own tribe in the capital city, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, to escape the impending doom, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, the birthplace of the prophet Amos, south of Jerusalem, the signal being intended to call the people together for flight, and set up a sign of fire, as a warning of approaching danger, in Beth-haccerem, another village south of Jerusalem, situated on a lofty hill; for evil appeareth out of the North, with the invading armies of the Chaldeans, and great destruction. Since the enemy was approaching from the North, the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the surrounding country would naturally flee toward the south. After this warning call the prophet describes the situation in Judah.
v. 2. I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman, literally, "The comely and delicate one! I destroy the daughter of Zion," laying waste the city and the entire country, as a rich and luxuriant meadow is laid waste by senseless cropping.
v. 3. The shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her, the hostile armies under their cruel generals; they shall pitch their tents against her round about; they shall feed every one in his place, ruthlessly pasturing and treading down the territory which he occupies. The invaders are now pictured as encouraging one another in the attack upon Jerusalem.
v. 4. Prepare ye war against her, literally, "sanctify war," the reference being to the solemn ceremonies with which a campaign of war was opened; arise and let us go up at noon, their zeal to attack being so great that even the unfavorable hour of noon could not detain them. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out, and they fear that the approach of night will suspend their operations against Judah and Jerusalem. But even so they will not permit this fact to interfere with their assault, since they cry out:
v. 5. Arise and let us go by night, in spite of the night and all unfavorable circumstances, and let us destroy her palaces, all her lofty buildings including her fortifications.
v. 6. For thus hath the Lord of hosts said, either the prophet or the enemies inserting this statement in explanation of the assault made on Jerusalem, Hew ye down trees and cast a mount against Jerusalem, constructing breastworks for the siege. This is the city to be visited, where punishment is well applied; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her, literally, "she is altogether violence in her inside," wherefore she is altogether to be punished.
v. 7. As a fountain casteth out her waters, a well causing its water to flow in a steady and uninterrupted quantity, so she casteth out her wickedness, which springs forth in a steady stream; violence and spoil, injustice and plunder, is heard in her, because she was given to these forms of wickedness; before Me, namely, Jehovah, continually is grief and wounds, so that He is a witness of their acts of violence and is deeply offended by their wickedness.
v. 8. Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, so the Lord addresses her in a tender appeal, lest My soul depart from thee, unwilling as His love is to take this step, lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited, this warning being repeated here once more, in order to cause her to return to her senses. An appeal of this kind may often be a means of preventing the misery and ruin of a sinful people.