But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the LORD: and I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things round about it.
But I will punish you based on what you have done, says the LORD. I will start a fire in your forest, and it will burn up everything around it.
God is warning that He will judge people according to their actions, and His judgment will be like a consuming fire that destroys everything.
📚 Historical Context
This verse was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Jerusalem during the reign of King Zedekiah, just before Babylon conquered the city in 586 BC. The leaders and people had repeatedly ignored God's warnings and continued in idolatry and injustice. The 'forest' likely refers to Jerusalem itself, which was known for its beautiful cedars and trees, or metaphorically to the royal palace and the nation's leadership.
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