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Jeremiah 4:14
O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

shall I.

Jeremiah 4:5,6,19
Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities…

Jeremiah 6:1
O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.

2 Chronicles 35:25
And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, theyare written in the lamentations.

and hear the sound of the horn?
The horn, or trumpet, was another tool used in ancient times to signal important events, such as the call to battle or the announcement of significant news. In the biblical context, the sound of the horn often signifies a call to attention or action, particularly in times of war or divine intervention (e.g.,Joshua 6:4-5, where the trumpet signals the fall of Jericho). In Jeremiah's time, the sound of the horn would have been a familiar and urgent call to the people of Judah, warning them of the approaching Babylonian invasion. The persistent sound of the horn underscores the imminent threat and the need for the people to heed God's warnings. This also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and the call for repentance, a theme prevalent throughout the prophetic books. The horn can also be seen as a type of Christ, who calls His people to repentance and salvation, as seen in the New Testament with the trumpet call of God (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

Jeremiah cries, “How long must I see the signal flag and hear the sound of the horn?” (Jeremiah 4:21). The lament “How long” reflects the agony of prolonged judgment. God’s warning had sounded again and again, yet Judah refused to repent. Similar appeals appear inPsalm 13:1–2 andHabakkuk 1:2, where believers plead for God’s intervention. The phrase underlines both the patience of the prophet and the stubbornness of the people: the signal has flown for years, but rebellion persists.

The prophet’s eyesight is filled with images of looming disaster. Jeremiah literally sees the banners of invading armies (Jeremiah 4:20). This is not a distant threat; it lies before his eyes.Isaiah 22:1–8 portrays a comparable scene: watchmen view banners, yet the city remains careless. The continual sight of impending doom grieves Jeremiah’s heart (Jeremiah 9:1). For us, it reminds that unrepented sin will keep judgment in plain view until we turn.

In ancient warfare a flag (or standard) rallied troops and marked the enemy’s approach (Jeremiah 4:6). God ordains that visible warning:

• A gracious alert, giving time to repent (Ezekiel 33:4–5).

• A confirmation that judgment is real and near (2 Kings 25:1–4).

The flag also points forward to Christ’s cross, the final standard lifted for salvation (John 12:32–33). Rejecting that ultimate banner leaves only the banner of judgment.

Sound intensifies sight. The horn—often a ram’s horn or trumpet—pierced the air in times of war (Numbers 10:9). Jeremiah cannot close his ears; the call blares repeatedly (Jeremiah 6:17). InRevelation 8:7–13, trumpet blasts likewise herald divine judgments. God couples audible warnings with visible signs so no one may claim ignorance (Romans 1:20). Persistent hearing without obedience hardens the heart (Hebrews 3:15).

The shofar’s blast signals both danger and gathering. For Judah it warns of Babylon’s advance (Jeremiah 4:5). For believers, it foreshadows the trumpet that will announce Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The same sound that terrifies rebels thrills the faithful. Today the “horn” is heard through Scripture and proclamation (Romans 10:14–17). Heeding it brings salvation; ignoring it invites ruin.

Jeremiah 4:21 captures the prophet’s weary anguish: unrelenting signals—flags in sight, horns in ear—declare judgment because Judah will not repent. God’s patience is underscored by continuous warnings, yet judgment remains literal and imminent. The verse urges us to recognize the banners and listen to the horns in our own lives, swiftly turning to God before the last trumpet sounds.