In Jeremiah, chapter one, verse fourteen, “Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.” This verse refers to the Babylonian campaigns against Judah and the siege of God’s holy city. A massive invasion would come from the north because God’s people had forsaken Him, offered sacrifices to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands, as in verse sixteen. “And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.”
God gave Jeremiah a view of the destruction of Judah and the city of God by the Chaldeans. The almond-tree, which is more forward in the spring than any other, represented the speedy approach of judgments. God also showed whence the intended ruin should arise. Jeremiah saw a seething-pot boiling, representing the city of God and Judah in great commotion. The mouth or face of the furnace or hearth was toward the north, from whence the fire and fuel were to come. The northern powers shall unite. The cause of these judgments was the sin of Judah.
The whole counsel of God must be declared. The fear of God is the best remedy against the fear of man. Better to have all men our enemies than God our enemy; those who are sure they have God with them need not, ought not to fear, whoever is against them. Let us pray that we may be willing to give up personal interests, and that nothing may move us from our duty.
Evil may occur when the godly has done something ungodly. To obey God and His Word is better than sacrifice. To be a doer.