Jeremiah is famous for his strong words of God’s coming judgment; a “jeremiad” is a long harsh complaint or an extended angry accusation. Yet we need to see that his ministry wasn’t just about scolding: we need to see the deep mourning in his soul. “Oh that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears, so that I might weep day and night for the slain of my poor people” (Jeremiah 9:1). Again, “my joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick … For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt; I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me” (8:18, 21).

Usually our words of judgment toward one another have a certain gloating character to them; we find a certain pleasure in pointing out where others have gone wrong. But that’s not what Jeremiah is about: all he has is heartbreak. God has commanded him to declare this dire warning to the people, knowing – because God has told him – that they will not respond: “You shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall call to them, but they will not answer you” (7:27).

It’s hard to imagine how severely Jeremiah must have felt this devastation in his soul. Could he at least pray for God’s astonishing mercy somehow to break through their rebellion and work a miracle of restoration? No. “As for you, do not pray for this people, do not raise a cry or prayer on their behalf, and do not intercede with me, for I will not hear you” (7:16).

What is left but to “Take up weeping and wailing for the mountains, and a lamentation for the pastures in the wilderness, because they are laid waste” (9:10). God’s judgment is inevitable; “I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, a lair of jackals; and I will make the towns of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant” (9:11).

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We are as rebellious as the people of Jerusalem, O Lord, and as slow to listen: but we lift up our voices to you, in hopes that it is not too late. Hear our prayers; change our hearts; grant us repentance, that we may turn back to serve you, in truth and honesty once again.