Jeremiah 5:9

Jeremiah 5:9 (KJV) delivers a powerful declaration of God's righteous indignation and impending judgment against the nation of Judah. It serves as a rhetorical question, emphasizing the absolute certainty of divine retribution: "Shall I not visit for these [things]? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?" The verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice in the face of widespread rebellion and sin.

Context

This verse is situated within a broader prophetic indictment delivered by the prophet Jeremiah to the kingdom of Judah, primarily during the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC, leading up to the Babylonian exile. Chapter 5 paints a grim picture of societal decay, where the people, from the highest to the lowest, had forsaken the LORD and embraced idolatry, injustice, and moral corruption. Despite God's persistent calls to repentance through His prophets, Judah remained stubborn and unrepentant. The "these [things]" refers to the myriad sins detailed earlier in the chapter, such as their breaking of God's covenant (Jeremiah 5:5), widespread idolatry (Jeremiah 5:7), and pervasive deceit (Jeremiah 5:1). God's rhetorical question in verse 9 highlights the undeniable necessity of His intervention.

Key Themes

• Divine Justice: The verse powerfully asserts God's attribute as a righteous judge who will not overlook sin. His justice demands accountability for disobedience and moral corruption.
• Consequences of Sin: It emphasizes the inevitable outcome of persistent rebellion against God. Unrepentant sin, whether by individuals or nations, leads to divine judgment. This aligns with the principle of reaping what is sown.
• God's Sovereignty and Wrath: The declaration "saith the LORD" underscores God's absolute authority. His "soul being avenged" is not an act of petty vindictiveness but a just and holy response to profound betrayal and spiritual adultery.
• Warning and Call to Repentance: While a statement of impending judgment, it also serves as a stark warning, reinforcing the urgency of turning back to God before His full wrath is unleashed.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "visit" here is paqad (פקד). While paqad can mean to visit with favor (as in a blessing), in contexts like this, it carries the strong connotation of visiting for inspection, reckoning, or punishment. It implies a divine reckoning where God calls to account and executes judgment. The term "avenged" is from the Hebrew naqam (נקם), which speaks of righteous retribution or vindication. It is not about personal vengeance in the human sense, but about God upholding His holy standards and bringing just consequences upon those who defy Him, similar to the divine judgment described in Romans 1:18.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 5:9 reminds us of several timeless truths:

• God's Holiness and Justice are Unchanging: He is a God of love and mercy, but also of justice and righteousness. His character demands that sin be addressed, whether individually or nationally.
• The Seriousness of Sin: This verse highlights that sin is not trivial to God. It grieves Him and provokes His righteous anger, leading to consequences.
• A Call to Self-Examination: While addressed to ancient Judah, the principle applies universally. It prompts us to consider our own lives and nations, asking if we are living in a way that honors God or provokes His displeasure.
• Hope in Repentance: Though judgment is certain for unrepentant sin, God always offers mercy and forgiveness to those who genuinely turn to Him. The path to escaping divine "visitation" for sin is found in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, who bore the judgment for our sins on the cross (John 3:16).