10:17-25.

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Prepare for captivity (Jer 10:17-25)

Picturing Jerusalem under siege, Jeremiah sadly tells the people that the end has almost come. They should collect their few remaining belongings and prepare for the long journey to captivity in Babylon (Jer 10:17-18).

The people mourn for their nation, which has fallen like a collapsed tent. Chiefly to blame for this catastrophe are the nation’s worthless leaders (Jer 10:19-21).

Jeremiah then imagines the enemy armies roaring down from the north and desolating the towns of Judah (Jer 10:22).

As he pleads to God on behalf of his fellow countrymen, Jeremiah reminds God that people are naturally weak and are easily led astray (Jer 10:23).

He asks, therefore, that God will not punish Judah too severely and that Judah will accept his correction. He prays that God’s wrath will be poured out not upon Judah, but upon those ungodly nations who attack Judah with needless cruelty (Jer 10:24-25).