The Lord's cause for dissatisfaction with His people can be seen in verses 13-15: "For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely. They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. They acted shamefully, they committed abomination; yet they were not ashamed, they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the Lord." This sin of theirs is complete and runs through the entire nation. Even though the Lord implores them to walk in the good ways and heed the call of the trumpet, the people refuse (vs. 16 and 17).
Because of this continued defiance and rebellion, the Lord is intent on stirring up a nation from the north. [Even though Babylon itself lies more to the east of Judah than the north, the route that the army will follow leads them north from which they will attack Jerusalem.] "Thus says the Lord: See, a people is coming from the land of the north, a great nation is stirring from the farthest parts of the earth. They grasp the bow and the javelin, they are cruel and have no mercy, their sound is like the roaring sea; they ride on horses, equipped like a warrior for battle, against you, O daughter Zion!" (vs. 22-23)
Descriptions of the coming judgment follow, as anguish will seize the hearts of the people in the face of the invaders. Their hands will fall limp by their side, and they will be powerless to act against the enemy. The destroyer has come and now is the time for wailing and lamentation. As Jeremiah notes, "Terror is on every side" (vs. 25).
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