6 Raise the signal to go to Zion! Flee for safety without delay! For I am bringing disaster from the north, even terrible destruction."
6 Raise a standard toward Zion, flee for safety, stay not, for I bring disaster from the north, and great destruction.
6 Send up a flare warning Zion: 'Not a minute to lose! Don't sit on your hands!' Disaster's descending from the north. I set it off! When it lands, it will shake the foundations.
6 Set up the standard toward Zion. Take refuge! Do not delay! For I will bring disaster from the north, And great destruction."
6 Raise a signal flag as a warning for Jerusalem : 'Flee now! Do not delay!' For I am bringing terrible destruction upon you from the north."
14 Then the Lord said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.
14 The Lord said to me, "From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land.
14 Then the Lord said to me, "Out of the north disaster
14 Then God told me, "Disaster will pour out of the north on everyone living in this land.
14 Then the Lord said to me: "Out of the north calamity shall break forth On all the inhabitants of the land.
14 "Yes," the Lord said, "for terror from the north will boil out on the people of this land.
(Read Jeremiah 1:11-19)
God gave Jeremiah a view of the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem by the Chaldeans. The almond-tree, which is more forward in the spring than any other, represented the speedy approach of judgments. God also showed whence the intended ruin should arise. Jeremiah saw a seething-pot boiling, representing Jerusalem and Judah in great commotion. The mouth or face of the furnace or hearth, was toward the north; from whence the fire and fuel were to come. The northern powers shall unite. The cause of these judgments was the sin of Judah. The whole counsel of God must be declared. The fear of God is the best remedy against the fear of man. Better to have all men our enemies than God our enemy; those who are sure they have God with them, need not, ought not to fear, whoever is against them. Let us pray that we may be willing to give up personal interests, and that nothing may move us from our duty.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:6
Commentary on Jeremiah 4:5-18
(Read Jeremiah 4:5-18)
The fierce conqueror of the neighbouring nations was to make Judah desolate. The prophet was afflicted to see the people lulled into security by false prophets. The approach of the enemy is described. Some attention was paid in Jerusalem to outward reformation; but it was necessary that their hearts should be washed, in the exercise of true repentance and faith, from the love and pollution of sin. When lesser calamities do not rouse sinners and reform nations, sentence will be given against them. The Lord's voice declares that misery is approaching, especially against wicked professors of the gospel; when it overtakes them, it will be plainly seen that the fruit of wickedness is bitter, and the end is fatal.