"The daughter of Zion"
Text: Jeremiah 6:2
TOTALLY UNPREPARED FOR WAR
Many were the terms used to describe the people of Judah. In the past they were called “the children of Israel”, To describe Judah at this point of time, the people were described candidly.
“I have likened the daughter of Zion
To a lovely and delicate woman.
The shepherds with their flocks shall come to her.
They shall pitch their tents against her all around.
Each one shall pasture in his own place.”
Jeremiah 6:2-3
1. “I have likened the daughter of Zion to a lovely and delicate woman.”
a) Is it wrong to describe the nation as “a daughter of Zion”?
i) No!
ii) It is a term of affection.
b) “A lovely and delicate woman”
i) Is it wrong to be described in this way?
ii) No!
c) The problem here:
i) Judah is not prepared for the war to come as much as a “lovely and delicate woman” would be unable to cope with war.
ii) Judah could have been a Deborah. She was a lady-judge who led Israel to victory against the Canaanites (Judges 4-5).
2. “The shepherds with their flocks shall come to her.
They shall pitch their tents against her all around.
Each one shall pasture in his own place.”
a) These are not literal shepherds.
b) The word “shepherd” was used figuratively to describe “rulers”.
c) Kings were supposed to shepherd their people.
d) The Babylonian Empire
i) It was made up of many kingdoms.
ii) They were united under the Babylonian flag.
iii) The shepherds were the rulers of the separate kingdoms.
iv) Each shepherd-ruler will be well-supplied as they laid siege against Judah.
v) They will encamp around the nation of Judah before final assault.