Jeremiah 4 is a powerful prophecy concerning the imminent judgement of God from the north, calling on God's people to repent whilst there is opportunity. Initially we read: "If you will return, O Israel, return to me... break up your unplowed ground (prepare your hearts for change)... circumcise your hearts (prepare yourselves for a deep spiritual change and not just external ritual)... or my wrath will break out!" Then comes a severe warning of "disaster from the north (Babylon)... a destroyer of nations has set out... your towns will lie in ruin... look he advances like the clouds, his chariots come like whirlwind... wash the evil from your hearts and be saved... a besieging army is coming from a distant land... your own conduct has brought this upon you." Then Jeremiah expresses his anguish at the imminent devastation of Judah: "Oh my anguish. I writhe in pain... disaster follows disaster... I looked at the earth and it was formless and empty... there were no people... the birds have gone... the land was a desert... the whole land will be ruined... all the towns are deserted... I hear the cry of the Daughter of Zion gasping for breath!
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