Jeremiah 4

Jeremiah 4 predicts Jerusalem’s destruction by the Babylonians because of their spiritual adultery.

Key Verse: “Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns,” v. 3.

The Warning, vv. 1-4

A. Exegesis of Jeremiah 4

Repent

    a. "Return to the Lord" = Turn back to Him
    b. "Put away your abominations" = Forsake idolatry and sin

Restoration

a. “You shall not be moved” = Babylonians will not defeat you.
b. Your confession “the Lord lives” will be a true, sincere confession.
c. The Lord will bless the nations through repentant Israel.

B. Example

1. Break up fallow ground, v. 3 a. Fallow ground is uncultivated farmland.
   b. Only thorns and weeds grow in fallow ground.
   c. Fallow ground is hard and hard to break up.
   d. Fallow ground resists change.
   e. In order to be fruitful, fallow ground must be broken with deep plowing.
2. Circumcise your hearts, v. 4 a. Instead of physical circumcision, Judah needed to remove the foreskin of the flesh.
   b. Circumcision is painful, but needful in repentance and dedication to the Lord.
3. Wash your hearts from wickedness, v. 14

C. Explanation

Repentance is often painful. It requires separation from sinful ways, sinful people, and sinful practices. You cannot serve two masters, Matthew 5:24.

The Wrath, vv. 5-9, 11-13, 15-18

A. Exegesis of Jeremiah 4

1. The Warning
    a. Sound the alarm
    b. Assemble within the fort

2. The Warriors / The Watchers (v. 16) / The Lion = Assyrian and Babylonian Invasions

3. The Wailing = last minute repentance, yet too late to prevent the judgment.

4. The Waffling Leaders

B. Example

1. The Sirocco Winds brought dust and sand and so caused great aggravation.
2. This is not a cooling breeze nor a cleansing wind. It desolates everything in its path.

C. Explanation

God’s wrath will bring pagans to destroy the land and harshly occupy the land.

The Witness, vv. 10, 19-31

A. Jeremiah 4 shows his agitation over Israel’s punishment: “Lord, You promised peace! You deceived us!” But it was the false prophets who promised peace, not God, v. 10.

B. Jeremiah’s agony over sinful Israel’s future, vv. 19-31.

1. Jeremiah is sickened to the core by Israel's judgment.

2. Israel is wise to do evil, but ignorant to do good! v. 22

3. What will man do when judgment falls? vv. 30-31

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