TSK · Jeremiah 9:7

The Babylonians Destroy Jerusalem The LORD God of their ancestors continually warned them through his messengers, for he felt compassion for his people and his dwelling place.

Patiently wait for God alone, my soul! For he is the one who gives me hope.

I will attack you; I will purify your metal with flux. I will remove all your slag.

For your hands are stained with blood and your fingers with sin; your lips speak lies, your tongue utters malicious words.

The LORD said to me,“I have made you like a metal assayer to test my people like ore. You are to observe them and evaluate how they behave.”

Indeed, the people of Israel are my dear children. They are the children I take delight in. For even though I must often rebuke them, I still remember them with fondness. So I am deeply moved with pity for them and will surely have compassion on them. I, the LORD, affirm it!

With his horses’ hoofs he will trample all your streets. He will kill your people with the sword, and your strong pillars will tumble down to the ground.

Transitory Faithfulness and Imminent Judgment What am I going to do with you, O Ephraim? What am I going to do with you, O Judah? For your faithfulness is as fleeting as the morning mist; it disappears as quickly as dawn’s dew!

Turning to me, the messenger then said,“Cry out that the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says,‘I am very much moved for Jerusalem and for Zion.

He will act like a refiner and purifier of silver and will cleanse the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will offer the LORD a proper offering.

Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you.