Jeremiah 4:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

You hurry to Zion. This presents a certain paradox, as it involves one who is attentive and proactive, striving to prevent any unforeseen occurrences while also desiring to grant and to subject to the most severe trials. If you are bringing troubles from the north, why do you rush towards them? These words signify conflict, while this indicates protection against foes. Do you perceive that these are the utterances of Him who disciplines, who cares, and who seeks to awaken faith for what lies ahead? Since the words have not been effective for them, He offers them what seems as if it is already fulfilled.

Establish a symbol for Zion, displaying a sign before the people of Zion and Jerusalem, for the time of devastation is upon them, and they must either ready themselves for combat or escape into exile.

Proclaim in Judah, and circulate a message in Jerusalem; speak out, sound a trumpet, proclaim loudly, and declare, "Assemble and proceed to the fortified cities. Raise a banner for Zion, hurry, do not delay; for I am bringing disaster and severe destruction from the north. Let Judah take note, and let Jerusalem hear this, where the affirmation of faith resides and the peace of Christ abides, as it is proclaimed through Isaiah, 'Go up to the high mountain, you who bring good tidings to Zion; lift up your voice with strength, you who bring good tidings to Jerusalem,' Isaiah 40:9; let them raise their voices in power and command, 'Let us enter the fortified cities.' The strife of heretics is upon us; may the defenses of Christ safeguard us!

He mentions this in passing, referring to Nebuchadnezzar as ‘a lion’ (Jeremiah 4:7), designating Babylon as ‘a lodge,’ and indicates that Nebuchadnezzar will emerge from Babylon to incinerate the cities and lay waste to the lands.