The weeping prophet is weeping.
Well, the weeping has started. He wishes his head was a river and his eyes a fountain so he could weep day and night. That is a lot of grief for his people. Our nation has become so divided that we only weep for ourselves, it seems. This week the assassination of a CEO of an insurance company was caught on video and people actually cheered because insurance companies have such a terrible reputation. I guess I felt a certain amount of relief when Michael Jackson passed, so I'm just as ghoulish when I perceive an enemy.
But not Jeremiah. He labels them adulterers, treacherous, liars, evil, and do not know the Lord. And still, Jeremiah weeps for them, knowing what's coming down from the North.
I wonder how many of us would feel differently about our neighbors if we actually saw the end times destruction described for us in Revelations and the prophets. I wonder if I'd be less inhibited to share the gospel?
For all of his tears, in verses 4-6 we see that he is still clear eyed about the people. He warns people not to trust their neighbors.
In verse 7 God promises to refine them; however it is in a manner similar to getting precious metal from rock. Fire. While effective, it is not going to go well for those being refined.
I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins,
A haunt of jackals;
And I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without inhabitant.” Jeremiah 9:11, NASB 95
Not what I would want a prophet sharing with me from the Lord.
Verse 16 goes even further.
I will also scatter them among the nations, whom neither they nor their fathers have known; and I will send the sword after them until I have put an end to them.” Jeremiah 9:16, NASB 95
This goes beyond what's coming from the North. This is a bigger prophesy about being dispersed beyond just Babylon. Blessedly, He spare a remnant.
The Lord speaks in verses 17-22 and tells them to practice wailing and grieving among the women because massive casualties are coming among the men.
And then there is this gem of wisdom to cling to for daily living:
23 This is what the Lord says: “Let no wise man boast of his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast of his might, nor a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24, NASB 95