Jeremiah 13:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Proclaim to the sovereign and authorities: Lower yourselves. The message was not directed at them, but rather to the community. Reflect on the boldness of the prophet in highlighting this to the leaders via his delegates. Choose to act willingly in a way that will inevitably be demanded of you in due course. Will you refuse this? Yet let it be according to your desires, rather than being compelled by the force of adversaries. May it be the same for us: let us impose judgment upon ourselves, so that we may avoid the judgment of God.

To the king and his leaders, declare this: "Lower yourselves and take a seat, for the glory that adorned your crown has been taken from your head. The southern cities are shut tight, and there is no one available to open them. All of Judah has been carried away into captivity in a thorough manner. The prophet is instructed to inform King Jechoniah and his queen mother to humble themselves and sit in ashes, for their royal status has been stripped away, and they have been handed over to the king of Babylon. The southern cities—specifically, those of the tribe of Judah and Jerusalem—are besieged with no one to liberate them.