◄ Jeremiah 4:20 ►
Disaster after disaster is proclaimed, for the whole land is laid waste. My tents are destroyed in an instant, my curtains in a moment.
Study Bible
Disaster after disaster
The Hebrew word for "disaster" here is "שֶׁבֶר" (sheber), which conveys a sense of breaking or shattering. This repetition emphasizes the relentless and overwhelming nature of the calamities facing Judah. Historically, this reflects the period of impending Babylonian invasion, a time of great turmoil and fear. The phrase serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith to avoid spiritual and moral collapse.

is proclaimed
The Hebrew root "קָרָא" (qara) means to call out or announce. This suggests that the disasters are not random but are declared by God through His prophets. It underscores the role of prophecy in the Old Testament as a divine warning system. For the contemporary believer, it is a call to heed the warnings found in Scripture and to live in accordance with God's will, recognizing that His proclamations are both just and merciful.

for the whole land is devastated
The term "devastated" comes from the Hebrew "שָׁדַד" (shadad), meaning to destroy or lay waste. This reflects the totality of the destruction that sin brings, not just physically but spiritually. Archaeological evidence from the period shows the extensive damage inflicted upon Judah by invading forces, serving as a tangible reminder of the consequences of disobedience. Spiritually, it calls Christians to consider the impact of sin on their lives and communities, urging repentance and restoration.

Suddenly my tents are destroyed
The imagery of "tents" being destroyed speaks to the nomadic lifestyle of ancient Israel, where tents were a symbol of home and security. The suddenness of their destruction highlights the unexpected and swift nature of divine judgment. This serves as a warning to remain vigilant in faith, as spiritual complacency can lead to sudden downfall. It encourages believers to build their lives on the solid foundation of Christ, rather than the temporary shelters of worldly security.

my curtains in an instant
"Curtains" here refer to the fabric that provided privacy and protection within the tent. The Hebrew word "יְרִיעָה" (yeri'ah) suggests something that is easily torn or removed. The phrase "in an instant" emphasizes the rapidity of the loss. Historically, this reflects the suddenness of the Babylonian attacks. For the believer, it is a metaphor for the fragility of life and the importance of being spiritually prepared at all times. It serves as a call to seek refuge in God, whose protection is eternal and unshakeable.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
The prophet who is delivering God's message of impending judgment to the people of Judah. He is often referred to as the "weeping prophet" due to his deep sorrow over the people's sin and the coming destruction.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which is the primary audience of Jeremiah's prophecies. At this time, Judah is facing the threat of invasion and destruction due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience to God.

3. Babylonian Invasion
The historical event that Jeremiah is prophesying about. The Babylonians, under King Nebuchadnezzar, would eventually conquer Judah, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sin
Sin has real and devastating consequences. Just as Judah faced destruction due to their disobedience, we too must be aware of the impact of sin in our lives and communities.

The Urgency of Repentance
The suddenness of the destruction ("my tents are destroyed, my curtains in an instant") serves as a reminder of the urgency of repentance. We should not delay in turning back to God.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God is sovereign and His judgments are just. Understanding His sovereignty helps us trust in His plans, even when they involve discipline or hardship.

Hope Beyond Judgment
While this verse speaks of disaster, the broader account of Scripture assures us of hope and restoration for those who turn back to God. This is a call to seek His mercy and grace.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of "tents" and "curtains" being destroyed relate to the transient nature of life and our earthly possessions?

2. In what ways can we see the consequences of sin in our own lives or society today, similar to the devastation described in Jeremiah 4:20?

3. How does understanding God's sovereignty in judgment affect our response to difficult circumstances?

4. What steps can we take to ensure that we are living in a state of repentance and readiness for God's return?

5. How can the themes of judgment and hope in Jeremiah 4:20 encourage us to share the gospel with others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 1:14-16
This passage provides context for the disaster mentioned in Jeremiah 4:20, as God declares that He will bring disaster from the north due to the people's idolatry.

Isaiah 24:1-3
Similar themes of devastation and judgment are found here, emphasizing the consequences of sin and rebellion against God.

Lamentations 2:5-9
Written by Jeremiah, this book laments the fulfillment of the prophecies of destruction, providing a vivid picture of the aftermath of the events foretold in Jeremiah 4:20.
Sermons
Godlessness is Supreme FollyJ. Tillotson.Jeremiah 4:20
Piety -- the Truest WisdomH. G. Salter.Jeremiah 4:20
Readier to Do Evil than GoodJ. Parker, D. D.Jeremiah 4:20
Sudden SorrowJeremiah 4:20
The Wailing of RiscaCharles Haddon Spurgeon Jeremiah 4:20
The Wailing of the BereavedJeremiah 4:20
The Proclamation of WoeS. Conway Jeremiah 4:5-31
The Alarm of WarG. Lawson.Jeremiah 4:19-26
The Prophet's Lamentations Over His People's DoomT. Herren, D. D.Jeremiah 4:19-26
WarJ. M. Lang, D. D.Jeremiah 4:19-26
The Fellowship of Christ's SufferingsS. Conway Jeremiah 4:19-30
A Surely Coming Confession Compelling a Present Serious QuestionS. Conway Jeremiah 4:20, 30
People
Dan, Jeremiah
Places
Dan, Jerusalem, Mount Ephraim, Zion
Topics
Cried, Curtains, Destroyed, Destruction, Devastated, Disaster, Followeth, Follows, Instant, Laid, Lies, Moment, News, Proclaimed, Ruined, Ruins, Shelter, Spoiled, Straight, Suddenly, Tents, Waste, Wasted
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 4:20

     5508   ruins

Jeremiah 4:19-21

     5595   trumpet
     8239   earnestness

Library
The Wailing of Risca
You all know the story; it scarce needs that I should tell it to you. Last Saturday week some two hundred or more miners descended in health and strength to their usual work in the bowels of the earth. They had not been working long, their wives and their children had risen, and their little ones had gone to their schools, when suddenly there was heard a noise at the mouth of the pit;--it was an explosion,--all knew what it meant. Men's hearts failed them, for well they prophesied the horror which …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

How those are to be Admonished who Sin from Sudden Impulse and those who Sin Deliberately.
(Admonition 33.). Differently to be admonished are those who are overcome by sudden passion and those who are bound in guilt of set purpose. For those whom sudden passion overcomes are to be admonished to regard themselves as daily set in the warfare of the present life, and to protect the heart, which cannot foresee wounds, with the shield of anxious fear; to dread the hidden darts of the ambushed foe, and, in so dark a contest, to guard with continual attention the inward camp of the soul. For, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Prevailing Prayer.
Text.--The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.--James v. 16. THE last lecture referred principally to the confession of sin. To-night my remarks will be chiefly confined to the subject of intercession, or prayer. There are two kinds of means requisite to promote a revival; one to influence men, the other to influence God. The truth is employed to influence men, and prayer to move God. When I speak of moving God, I do not mean that God's mind is changed by prayer, or that his …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

How to Make Use of Christ for Cleansing of us from Our Daily Spots.
Having spoken of the way of making use of Christ for removing the guilt of our daily transgressions, we come to speak of the way of making use of Christ, for taking away the guilt that cleaveth to the soul, through daily transgressions; "for every sin defileth the man," Matt. xv. 20; and the best are said to have their spots, and to need washing, which presupposeth filthiness and defilement, Eph. v. 27. John xiii. 8-10. Hence we are so oft called to this duty of washing and making us clean. Isa. …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

"For they that are after the Flesh do Mind the Things of the Flesh,",
Rom. viii. 5.--"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh,", &c. Though sin hath taken up the principal and inmost cabinet of the heart of man--though it hath fixed its imperial throne in the spirit of man, and makes use of all the powers and faculties in the soul to accomplish its accursed desires and fulfil its boundless lusts, yet it is not without good reason expressed in scripture, ordinarily under the name of "flesh," and a "body of death," and men dead in sins, are …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"Who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the Flesh,"
Rom. viii. 4, 5.--"Who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh," &c. If there were nothing else to engage our hearts to religion, I think this might do it, that there is so much reason in it. Truly it is the most rational thing in the world, except some revealed mysteries of faith, which are far above reason, but not contrary to it. There is nothing besides in it, but that which is the purest reason. Even that part of it which is most difficult to man, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, He is None of His. "
Rom. viii. 9.--"If so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" 2 Chron. vi. 18. It was the wonder of one of the wisest of men, and indeed, considering his infinite highness above the height of heavens, his immense and incomprehensible greatness, that the heaven of heavens cannot contain him, and then the baseness, emptiness, and worthlessness of man, it may be a wonder to the …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
OR, THE EXCELLENCY OF A BROKEN HEART: SHOWING THE NATURE, SIGNS, AND PROPER EFFECTS OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT. BEING THE LAST WORKS OF THAT EMINENT PREACHER AND FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, MR. JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. WITH A PREFACE PREFIXED THEREUNTO BY AN EMINENT MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN LONDON. London: Sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgates, 1692. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The very excellent preface to this treatise, written by George Cokayn, will inform the reader of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Repentance
Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.' Acts 11: 18. Repentance seems to be a bitter pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad humour of sin. By some Antinomian spirits it is cried down as a legal doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent,' &c. Matt 4: 17. In his last farewell, when he was ascending to heaven, he commanded that Repentance should be preached in his name.' Luke 24: 47. Repentance is a pure gospel grace. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
Acts ix. 6. Acts ix. 6. And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do. THESE are the words of Saul, who also is called Paul, (Acts xiii. 9,) when he was stricken to the ground as he was going to Damascus; and any one who had looked upon him in his present circumstances and knew nothing more of him than that view, in comparison with his past life, could have given, would have imagined him one of the most miserable creatures that ever lived upon earth, and would have expected …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision B. Jesus Talks with Nicodemus. ^D John III. 1-21. ^d 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [Nicodemus is mentioned only by John. His character is marked by a prudence amounting almost to timidity. At John vii. 50-52 he defends Jesus, but without committing himself as in any way interested in him: at John xix. 38, 39 he brought spices for the body of Jesus, but only after Joseph of Arimathæa had secured the body. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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