Jeremiah (1-31) 4:23 Commentary and Bible Study

‘I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void’ – there is going to be complete desolation in Judah and Jerusalem. ‘And the heavens, they had no light’, which may be poetic, but it may indicate that this is a scorched earth policy, and the amount of burning in the fields and in the towns just obscures the skies; smoke is everywhere.

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Jeremiah (1-31) 4:23

  

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‘I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void’ – there is going to be complete desolation in Judah and Jerusalem. ‘And the heavens, they had no light’, which may be poetic, but it may indicate that this is a scorched earth policy, and the amount of burning in the fields and in the towns just obscures the skies; smoke is everywhere. ‘I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.’ Again this is poetic, but at the same time there is a literal aspect. If there are thousands of Chaldeans crossing the mountains with their cavalry and equipment, it will look as though the mountains are moving. You stand there and gaze at a distant mountain, everything seems to be in motion, and the hills seem to move. It may reflect only the tremendous number of troops coming in.‘I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled’, widespread death and destruction of Judah, which has caused even the birds of the air, that normally ignore human activity, to be displaced. ‘The fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down.’ But at the end of verse 26 we read, ‘at the presence of the LORD.’ Literally, it is the presence of the Chaldeans, but it is God who is behind the judgment, ‘, and by his fierce anger.’ As Christian people, we love the Lord; we know him; we have his kindness. But never forget the great indignation of God against sin. Never lightly offend him. ‘For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end’ – there will be a saved remnant after all. The promises to the patriarchs will still be remembered, and some, even among this typical people, will continue to trust the Lord and to walk in his ways.

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