Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.
Out of the north an evil breaking forth upon all the inhabitants of the land means swift-coming judgment coming from the plains of Shinar against everyone in the land. The declaration belongs to the stern messages Jeremiah was set apart to deliver fearlessly in the years after his call, declaring the Lord's judgments against wickedness and against forsaking Him. The warning of judgment was to be given together with assurances of forgiveness to all who turn from evil-doing, in line with the Lord's purpose to restore and to heal.
At the very beginning of his life-work Jeremiah used the warning to urge the men of Judah to make thorough work of repentance and to lay broad and deep foundations of spiritual life. That thorough work meant casting aside the rubbish of apostasy and unbelief. Building wisely for eternity meant building with faith and obedience and good works.
Out of the north an evil breaking forth upon all the inhabitants of the land means swift-coming judgment coming from the plains of Shinar against everyone in the land. The declaration belongs to the stern messages Jeremiah was set apart to deliver fearlessly in the years after his call, declaring the Lord's judgments against wickedness and against forsaking Him. The warning of judgment was to be given together with assurances of forgiveness to all who turn from evil-doing, in line with the Lord's purpose to restore and to heal.
At the very beginning of his life-work Jeremiah used the warning to urge the men of Judah to make thorough work of repentance and to lay broad and deep foundations of spiritual life. That thorough work meant casting aside the rubbish of apostasy and unbelief. Building wisely for eternity meant building with faith and obedience and good works.