Why is the Lord bringing an ancient and enduring nation from afar, that speaks a foreign language, against Judah?
Jeremiah speaks again of the nation that will invade Judah, bringing the Lord’s judgment. The Lord will bring this nation from afar
against Judah. It is an enduring nation,
and ancient nation,
and a nation whose language you do not know.
This description of the invading nation heightens not only its power, but also its alien character.1 Moses spoke of just such a nation bringing the Lord’s curse on Israel if they broke the terms of the covenant (Deuteronomy 28:49–52).
15 Behold, I am bringing against you a nation from afar, O house of Israel,declares the LORD. It is an enduring nation; it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know, nor can you understand what they say.