5/7/2023 0 Comments Advance wars dark conflict art![]() ![]() This lion was no ordinary beast, but a destroyer of nations. "A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations. That the prophecy here refers to the Babylonians is a certainty, as proved by the next verse. Taking all into consideration, we see that referring this prophecy to the Scythians is founded neither on exegetical results, nor upon historical evidence but such a reference relies solely upon rationalistic prejudice that the prophecies of the Biblical prophets are nothing more than either disguised descriptions of historical events, or threatenings based upon forthcoming events that astute political observations could predict. Quite a few of the scholars whose writings on this chapter we have consulted still believe they find the Scythians indicated here but, as in our introduction, we cannot agree with that interpretation. "I will bring evil from the north, and a great devastation. Of course, there was yet time, IF, only IF Judah repented and turned to the Lord, "There would then have been hope, that protected by their fortified cities, they might have waited till the tide of war had passed but as long as their sins remained unrepented of, their punishment would continue." ![]() It should not be thought, however, that any true safety was available. This meant that road signs should be set up pointing the way to the nearest fortified cities to which the people might flee for safety. This was an all-out war alarm, a signal for Judah and Jerusalem to brace themselves for the conflict. ![]() This is indicated by the words "at that day" in Jeremiah 4:9. That terrible judgment against Judah, like many other judgments of God throughout history against cities and/or nations whose wickedness had reached a point of no return, is also typical of the ultimate overthrow of Adam's rebellious race in the Final Judgment. These verses are a prophecy of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of Judah. And it shall come to pass at that day, saith Jehovah, that the heart of the king shall perish, and the heart of the princes and priests shall be astonished, and the prophets shall wonder." For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and wail for the fierce anger of Jehovah is not turned back from us. A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations he is on his way, he has gone forth from his place, to make the land desolate, that thy cities be laid waste, without inhabitant. Set up a standard toward Zion: flee for safety, stay not for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction. "Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry aloud and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the fortified cities. Jerusalem’s end is as horrible as that of a brutally murdered prostitute her screams are as piercing as those of a woman in agonizing childbirth (30-31). Jerusalem tries to win favour with the enemy, as a prostitute tries to win the favour of lovers, but the enemy is not fooled. In country towns people flee before the enemy and look for hiding places in forests and caves (29). God’s judgment is so devastating that, were it not for his mercy, the people would be wiped out (27-28). To the prophet it seems that, with the fall of Judah, the earth has become barren, waste, dark and silent (23-26). Now they are suffering the consequences (22). In their stupidity the people have rejected God and devoted themselves to wrongdoing. God assures him that the judgment is just. Jeremiah can scarcely bear to look at the scene of destruction, and cries out in his distress (19-21). They are about to reap the fruits of their ungodliness and idolatry (15-18). The people of Judah have brought this disaster upon themselves because of the way they have lived. He sees the invasion forces moving down from Dan, crossing Ephraim’s mountains, spreading over the country and besieging cities as they head for their main prize, Jerusalem. As Jeremiah pictures the enemy’s horses and chariots sweeping across the northern frontier, he makes a last desperate plea to the Jerusalemites to repent (13-14). God’s judgment burns up his people like a scorching desert wind (11-12). They mistakenly thought that God would never allow a heathen nation to destroy them (9-10). They now realize that by believing the false prophets, they have deceived themselves. Judah’s leaders, both civil and religious, are shocked at the sudden catastrophe that overtakes them. God is about to pour out his anger on the unfaithful people (7-8). Like an enraged lion the enemy prepares to pounce upon its victim. With the enemy army sweeping down upon Judah from the north, a trumpeter sounds the alarm and the people of Judah flee to their walled cities for safety (5-6). Jeremiah now pictures the terrible judgment that will fall on Judah if it does not repent. ![]()
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