Declare in Judah, proclaim in Jerusalem, and say, Blow the ram’s horn throughout the land. Cry out loudly and say, “Assemble yourselves, and let’s flee to the fortified cities.” Lift up a signal flag toward Zion. Run for cover! Don’t stand still! For I am bringing disaster from the north— a crushing blow. A lion has gone up from his thicket; a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his lair to make your land a waste. Your cities will be reduced to uninhabited ruins. Because of this, put on sackcloth; mourn and wail, for the Lord’s burning anger has not turned away from us. “On that day”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“the king and the officials will lose their courage. The priests will tremble in fear, and the prophets will be scared speechless.” I said, “Oh no, Lord God, you have certainly deceived this people and Jerusalem, by announcing, ‘You will have peace,’ while a sword is at our throats.” “At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, ‘A searing wind blows from the barren heights in the wilderness on the way to my dear people. It comes not to winnow or to sift; a wind too strong for this comes at my call. Now I will also pronounce judgments against them.’ ” Look, he advances like clouds; his chariots are like a storm. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined! Wash the evil from your heart, Jerusalem, so that you will be delivered. How long will you harbor malicious thoughts? For a voice announces from Dan, proclaiming malice from Mount Ephraim. Warn the nations: Look! Proclaim to Jerusalem: Those who besiege are coming from a distant land; they raise their voices against the cities of Judah. They have her surrounded like those who guard a field, because she has rebelled against me. This is the Lord’s declaration. Your way and your actions have brought this on you. This is your punishment. It is very bitter, because it has reached your heart!

 The punishment that the nation of Israel had brought upon themselves because of their sin would be upon all in Judah. The evil and the righteous would suffer. The guilty and the innocent would experience judgment. Yet even still, God was calling them to repent. They do not repent of their sinful and idolatrous ways, and their sentence was upon them. God continually calls His people to repentance, even amid coming punishment.

Sometimes we wonder why the good must suffer. It is because of our sinful world. Sin does not happen in a void. We are all afflicted not only by our sin but also by the sin of others. We must repent of our sins and lead others to do the same if we want to see any form of peace in this life.