◄ Jeremiah 4:27 ►
For this is what the LORD says: "The whole land will be desolate, but I will not finish its destruction.
Study Bible
For this is what the LORD says
This phrase underscores the authority and divine origin of the message. The Hebrew term for "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel. This introduction serves as a reminder that the words following are not merely Jeremiah's, but are divinely inspired, carrying the weight and certainty of God's own voice. In the historical context, this is a period of impending judgment, and the use of "LORD" assures the people that the message is both authoritative and trustworthy.

The whole land
The Hebrew word for "land" is "eretz," which can refer to the earth, a country, or a specific territory. Here, it specifically refers to the land of Judah. This phrase indicates the comprehensive nature of the coming judgment. Historically, this was a time when the Babylonian Empire was rising, and the threat to Judah was imminent. The phrase serves as a stark warning that no part of the land will be spared from the consequences of the nation's sins.

will be desolate
The Hebrew root for "desolate" is "shamem," which means to be appalled, devastated, or laid waste. This word paints a vivid picture of the aftermath of divine judgment. Archaeological evidence from the period shows cities and towns that were indeed left in ruins, confirming the historical accuracy of such prophecies. Spiritually, this desolation is a result of the people's persistent idolatry and rebellion against God, serving as a call to repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness.

but I will not finish it off
The phrase "I will not finish it off" reflects God's mercy amidst judgment. The Hebrew root "kalah" means to complete or bring to an end. While God allows the land to be desolate as a consequence of sin, He promises not to utterly destroy it. This is consistent with God's character throughout Scripture, where judgment is often tempered with mercy. Historically, this points to the eventual return and restoration of the remnant of Israel, a theme that runs throughout the prophetic books. It serves as a reminder of hope and redemption, even in the darkest times, highlighting God's enduring commitment to His people and His ultimate plan for their restoration.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which faced impending judgment due to its persistent idolatry and disobedience to God.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is both just in His judgments and merciful in His promises.

4. Desolation
The state of the land as a result of God's judgment, symbolizing the consequences of sin and rebellion.

5. Remnant
The concept of a remaining group that God preserves, indicating His mercy and future restoration.
Teaching Points
God's Justice and Mercy
God's judgment is real and deserved due to sin, but His mercy ensures that He does not completely destroy His people.

The Role of the Remnant
God always preserves a remnant, a sign of hope and future restoration. This encourages believers to remain faithful amidst widespread unfaithfulness.

The Call to Repentance
Desolation serves as a wake-up call for repentance. Believers are urged to turn back to God to experience His mercy and restoration.

Hope in Desolation
Even in the darkest times, God’s promise not to "finish it off" assures us of His ongoing plan and purpose for His people.

Faithfulness in Trials
Believers are encouraged to trust in God's faithfulness and remain steadfast, knowing that He will not abandon His people.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of a remnant in Jeremiah 4:27 provide hope for believers today?

2. In what ways can we see God's justice and mercy working together in our own lives?

3. How can the desolation described in Jeremiah 4:27 serve as a warning and a call to repentance for modern believers?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we remain part of God's faithful remnant?

5. How do the themes of judgment and mercy in Jeremiah 4:27 connect with the New Testament understanding of grace and salvation?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 6:11-13
This passage also speaks of desolation but promises a holy seed or remnant, highlighting God's mercy amidst judgment.

Ezekiel 6:8-10
God promises to leave a remnant who will remember Him, showing His faithfulness even when His people are unfaithful.

Romans 11:5
Paul speaks of a remnant chosen by grace, connecting the Old Testament theme of a remnant to the New Testament church.

Lamentations 3:22-23
Emphasizes God's mercies and faithfulness, even in times of judgment and desolation.

2 Chronicles 7:14
Calls for repentance and promises healing of the land, showing the path from desolation to restoration.
Sermons
God's Reserve of MercyS. Conway Jeremiah 4:27
The Proclamation of WoeS. Conway Jeremiah 4:5-31
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
A Threatened Return from Cosmos to ChaosD. Young Jeremiah 4:23-27
People
Dan, Jeremiah
Places
Dan, Jerusalem, Mount Ephraim, Zion
Topics
Complete, Completely, Completion, Desolate, Desolation, Destroy, Destruction, Execute, Full, Ruined, Says, Though, Thus, Waste, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 4:27-28

     4812   darkness, God's judgment

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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