In Jeremiah, chapter sixteen, verses two through ten, certain restrictions were put on Jeremiah’s life and ministry that would serve as object lessons for the people when the hour of judgment arrived. The first restriction was not to marry and have children, illustrating that in the coming affliction, many families would die, as in verses one through four. “The word of the lord came also unto me saying, Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters in this place. For thus saith the Lord concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this place, and concerning the mothers that bare them, and concerning their fathers that begat them in this land; They shall die of grevious deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.”
The second was not to mourn or show sympathy at a funeral meal, revealing that God had withdrawn His blessing, love and compassion from people, as in verses five through seven, starting from verse five, “For thus saith the Lord, Enter not into the house of mourning, neither go to lament nor bemoan them: for I have taken away my peace from this people, saith the Lord, even lovingkindness and mercies.” The third was not to take part in festive occasions, showing that God would bring an end to all joy and gladness of Judah, as verse eight, “Thou shalt not also go into the house of feasting, to sit with them to eat and drink.” These instructions were for the prophet Jeremiah.