Jeremiah 1:16
And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands. And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.
The verse is God's declaration of swiftly coming judgment against Judah for all their wickedness in forsaking Him to burn incense to other gods and worship the works of their own hands. It was given at the very beginning of Jeremiah's life-work. It belonged to his appointment as set over nations and kingdoms to root out and pull down and destroy as well as to build and to plant. He was to deliver that stern charge fearlessly. The evil it warned of would break forth from the north, from the plains of Shinar, upon all the inhabitants of the land.
Stern as the warning was, it carried assurance of the Lord's purpose to restore and to heal, with forgiveness for all who turn from evil-doing. That prospect gave urgency to his labor as a wise master-builder, urging thorough repentance that casts aside the rubbish of apostasy and unbelief and lays broad and deep foundations for eternity through faith and obedience and good works.