Monday 31st August
Read Jeremiah 6:1-5
“‘Flee for safety, people of Benjamin!
Flee from Jerusalem!
Sound the trumpet in Tekoa!
Raise the signal over Beth Hakkerem!
For disaster looms out of the north,
even terrible destruction.
2 I will destroy Daughter Zion,
so beautiful and delicate.
3 Shepherds with their flocks will come against her;
they will pitch their tents round her,
each tending his own portion.’
4 ‘Prepare for battle against her!
Arise, let us attack at noon!
But, alas, the daylight is fading,
and the shadows of evening grow long.
5 So arise, let us attack at night
and destroy her fortresses!’” (NIVUK)
Everything is unconventional about this oh-so-familiar warning. The terrible destruction from the north is announced once more. We will consider the frustration of Jeremiah in being faithful but ignored later. But consider the near-eastern military patterns and we will understand the strangeness of the warning.
Normally when invaders approach people will flee to a city for protection behind their walls. Those out pasturing their flocks, their wealth, will gather together for safety. Armies would swarm down in numbers like locusts, devouring everything in their path. Battles traditionally began early in the morning, before the midday heat arose. Armies retired after a long day in the field for respite. It was considered bad form to attack at night – dishonourable even.
The fate awaiting Jerusalem is unusual indeed. The warning arises south of the city – so Jerusalem is already surrounded if the foe descends form the north. It is indeed inexorable and inevitable if the army can be described as sheep with shepherds, tending their flocks amidst the pastures of Judah! The city is the least safe place to flee. The preparation is extensive and takes a long time, but when they are complete the attack will occur regardless of the time of day.
The entire vision screams out a warning to those who hear. To pay attention for the time when God’s patience runs out and His word is disregarded at their peril. But at the heart of the message is an earnestness to flee, to repent, to turn back to God. Jesus provides a similar warning to Jerusalem, amidst tears. It fell on equally deaf ears.
“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognise the time of God’s coming to you.’” (Luke 19:41-44) (NIVUK)
