◄ Jeremiah 18:22 ►
Let a cry be heard from their houses when You suddenly bring raiders against them, for they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden snares for my feet.
Study Bible
Let a cry be heard from their houses
This phrase reflects the impending judgment and distress that will come upon those who oppose God's prophet. In the context of Jeremiah, the people of Judah are being warned of the consequences of their rebellion against God. The "cry" signifies the anguish and desperation that will arise when God's judgment is executed. This echoes the cries of the Egyptians during the Passover (Exodus 12:30), symbolizing divine retribution.

when You suddenly bring raiders against them
The suddenness of the raiders' arrival emphasizes the unexpected nature of God's judgment. Historically, this can be linked to the Babylonian invasions, which were instruments of God's wrath against Judah. The Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar, were known for their swift and devastating military campaigns. This also serves as a reminder of the suddenness of the Day of the Lord, a theme found throughout prophetic literature (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3).

for they have dug a pit to capture me
This imagery of a pit is often used in the Psalms to describe the schemes of the wicked against the righteous (Psalm 7:15, Psalm 57:6). Jeremiah, as a prophet, faced opposition and plots from his own people. The pit symbolizes the treacherous plans devised by those who reject God's message. It also foreshadows the betrayal and suffering of Jesus Christ, who was plotted against by the religious leaders of His time (Matthew 26:3-4).

and have hidden snares for my feet
Snares are traps set to ensnare the unsuspecting, illustrating the deceitful and malicious intentions of Jeremiah's adversaries. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the righteous being targeted by the wicked (Psalm 140:5). In a typological sense, it points to Christ, who navigated the snares of the Pharisees and Sadducees, ultimately overcoming their schemes through His death and resurrection (John 11:53, Luke 20:20).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
The prophet who is speaking in this verse, known for his messages of warning and repentance to the people of Judah.

2. The People of Judah
The audience of Jeremiah's prophecies, who often resisted his messages and plotted against him.

3. Raiders
Invaders or attackers that Jeremiah calls upon as a form of divine judgment against those who plot against him.

4. The Pit and Snares
Metaphors for the traps and schemes devised by Jeremiah's enemies to harm him.

5. God
The ultimate judge and protector, whom Jeremiah calls upon to execute justice.
Teaching Points
Trust in Divine Justice
Jeremiah's plea for God to bring justice reminds us to trust in God's timing and righteousness rather than seeking personal revenge.

The Consequences of Sin
The imagery of pits and snares serves as a warning about the consequences of plotting evil against others, emphasizing the biblical principle of reaping what one sows.

Perseverance in Adversity
Despite facing opposition, Jeremiah remains steadfast in his mission, encouraging believers to persevere in their faith and calling, even when faced with hostility.

Prayer as a Response to Injustice
Jeremiah's response to his enemies is to pray and seek God's intervention, teaching us to turn to prayer when confronted with injustice or persecution.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jeremiah's response to his enemies in this verse reflect his faith in God's justice?

2. In what ways can the imagery of pits and snares be applied to modern-day situations where we might face opposition or deceit?

3. How do the themes in Jeremiah 18:22 connect with the teachings of Jesus on loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are not setting "pits and snares" for others in our personal or professional lives?

5. How can we apply the principle of leaving vengeance to God in our daily interactions and conflicts?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 35:7-8
This passage also speaks of enemies setting traps and the psalmist's plea for divine justice, similar to Jeremiah's situation.

Proverbs 26:27
This proverb highlights the principle that those who dig a pit for others will fall into it themselves, reflecting the justice Jeremiah seeks.

Lamentations 3:34-36
Jeremiah, traditionally credited with writing Lamentations, speaks of God's justice and the futility of human schemes against the righteous.

Romans 12:19
Paul echoes the theme of leaving vengeance to God, aligning with Jeremiah's appeal for divine intervention.
Sermons
Jeremiah's Enemies and His Prayer Against ThemD. Young Jeremiah 18:18-23
PersecutionS. Conway Jeremiah 18:18-23
The Prophet's Prayer for Vengeance on His EnemiesS. Conway Jeremiah 18:19-23
People
Jeremiah
Places
Jerusalem, Lebanon, Sirion
Topics
Armed, Band, Bring, Bringest, Capture, Cry, Digged, Dug, Hid, Hidden, Hole, Houses, Invaders, Laid, Marauder, Nets, Outcry, Pit, Raiders, Secretly, Snares, Suddenly, Troop
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 18:22

     5589   trap

Jeremiah 18:20-22

     4257   pit

Library
The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
"Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation." This is predicated of the judgments of God on those who had shed the blood of his saints. The Savior declares that all the righteous blood which had been shed on the earth from that of Abel down to the gospel day, should come on that generation! But is not this unreasonable and contrary to the Scriptures? "Far be wickedness from God and iniquity from the Almighty. For the work of man shall be render unto him, and cause every …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

The Hebrew Sages and their Proverbs
[Sidenote: Role of the sages in Israel's life] In the days of Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer. xviii. 18; Ezek. vii. 26) three distinct classes of religious teachers were recognized by the people: the prophets, the priests, and the wise men or sages. From their lips and pens have come practically all the writings of the Old Testament. Of these three classes the wise men or sages are far less prominent or well known. They wrote no history of Israel, they preached no public sermons, nor do they appear …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Sick Person Ought Now to Send for Some Godly and Religious Pastor.
In any wise remember, if conveniently it may be, to send for some godly and religious pastor, not only to pray for thee at thy death--for God in such a case hath promised to hear the prayers of the righteous prophets, and elders of the church (Gen. xx. 7; Jer. xviii. 20; xv. 1; 1 Sam. xii. 19, 23; James v. 14, 15, 16)--but also upon thy unfeigned repentance to declare to thee the absolution of thy sins. For as Christ hath given him a calling to baptize thee unto repentance for the remission of thy …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Hindrances to Mourning
What shall we do to get our heart into this mourning frame? Do two things. Take heed of those things which will stop these channels of mourning; put yourselves upon the use of all means that will help forward holy mourning. Take heed of those things which will stop the current of tears. There are nine hindrances of mourning. 1 The love of sin. The love of sin is like a stone in the pipe which hinders the current of water. The love of sin makes sin taste sweet and this sweetness in sin bewitches the …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Ninth Commandment
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' Exod 20: 16. THE tongue which at first was made to be an organ of God's praise, is now become an instrument of unrighteousness. This commandment binds the tongue to its good behaviour. God has set two natural fences to keep in the tongue, the teeth and lips; and this commandment is a third fence set about it, that it should not break forth into evil. It has a prohibitory and a mandatory part: the first is set down in plain words, the other …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians at the Table of the Lord;
COMPRISING I. HIS CONFESSION OF FAITH, AND REASON OF HIS PRACTICE; II. DIFFERENCES ABOUT WATER BAPTISM NO BAR TO COMMUNION; AND III. PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES AND TRUE[1] ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Reader, these are extraordinary productions that will well repay an attentive perusal. It is the confession of faith of a Christian who had suffered nearly twelve years' imprisonment, under persecution for conscience sake. Shut up with his Bible, you have here the result of a prayerful study of those holy …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
"Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord."--Jeremiah i. 8. The Prophets were ever ungratefully treated by the Israelites, they were resisted, their warnings neglected, their good services forgotten. But there was this difference between the earlier and the later Prophets; the earlier lived and died in honour among their people,--in outward honour; though hated and thwarted by the wicked, they were exalted to high places, and ruled in the congregation. …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Of the Decrees of God.
Eph. i. 11.--"Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."--Job xxiii. 13. "He is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth." Having spoken something before of God, in his nature and being and properties, we come, in the next place, to consider his glorious majesty, as he stands in some nearer relation to his creatures, the work of his hands. For we must conceive the first rise of all things in the world to be in this self-being, the first conception …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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