Why do the people ask if the Lord has rejected Judah, if his soul loathes Zion, and why there is no healing and peace for the nation?
The questions asked are typical of lament and especially typical of Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 2:14, Jeremiah 2:19; Jeremiah 8:19, Jeremiah 8:22; Jeremiah 22:28; Jeremiah 49:1). The Hebrew word translated as Your soul
is nepes and in this context describes the passion with which the Lord turns away from his people in judgment.1 The implied answer to these questions is negative. The Lord has not utterly rejected Judah
and his soul does not loath Zion.2 Even the covenant curse offered the possibility of return (Leviticus 26:43–44). This question is asking if there is more to the covenant than simply curse when the people fail.3
If ever the people did ask these questions, they would have been full of a great paradox since it was the people who have rejected the Lord and brought this judgment on themselves. The situation is made worse because of the false prophets who promised healing and peace and yet war has come, bringing wounds and terror.4
19 As-tu donc rejeté Juda, Et ton âme a-t-elle pris Sion en horreur? Pourquoi nous frappes-tu Sans qu'il y ait pour nous de guérison? Nous espérions la paix, et il n'arrive rien d'heureux, Un temps de guérison, et voici la terreur!