When Avraham pleaded God to spare Sedom, he stopped at five righteous people, recognizing that even if there were only one or two, they would not be sufficient to justify mercy upon the city (Bereishit 18). In contrast, Yirmiyahu declares that there is not a single righteous person in Jerusalem — the situation is worse than Sedom. Both the common people and the leaders have abandoned the ways of God, steeped in both religious and social sins, to the extent the prophecy declares: “Should I not hold such people to account? declares the Lord. From a nation such as this should I not exact retribution?” (5:9). It is as though we have left God with no choice but to strike us.

At times, the prophet’s words reveal the misconceptions of the people he contends with. In Yirmiyahu’s time, the people completely denied divine providence: “They have denied the Lord and said, ‘He is nothing. No harm will befall us; we shall see neither sword nor famine. The prophets shall be but wind; the word is not in them. May what they prophesy be done to them’” (5:12-13). The prophets warn and admonish, yet the people insist that no harm will befall them and dismiss the words of the prophets as mere wind. When such a belief takes hold, it becomes exceedingly difficult to warn, let alone redirect the course of an entire nation.

This prophecy likely belongs to an early period in Yirmiyahu’s life, as the Babylonian enemy was not yet known by name. Yirmiyahu describes its might without identifying its name or origin: “a powerful nation, an ancient nation” (5:15). The punishment Israel will suffer is one of measure for measure: they chose not to serve God, and so God will ensure that instead, they will be forced to serve foreign idols in exile.

Before introducing another set of the people’s sins, Yirmiyahu underscores God’s power by recalling how He set the sand as the boundary for the sea. His phrasing alludes to other laws that God established in the world: “Me will you not fear? declares the Lord. Will you not tremble before Me, who set the sand as a boundary of the sea, an eternal boundary that it cannot pass? The water may rage, but they are impotent; the waves may roar, but they cannot pass over it” (5:22). The sea obeys God’s natural laws and remains within the limits He has set for it. But Yehuda disregards all religious laws, shattering every boundary: “This people a wayward and rebellious heart; they turned aside and went their way” (5:23). After recounting the sins of the people, Yirmiyahu concludes with a refrain: “Should I not hold such people to account? declares the Lord. Against a nation such as this should I not avenge Myself?” (5:29).