Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 1:13

"And the word of Jehovah came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a boiling caldron; and the face thereof is from the north." — Jeremiah 1:13 (ASV)

The first vision was for the support of the prophet’s own faith during his long struggle with his countrymen: the second explains to him the general nature of his mission. He was to be the bearer of news of a great national calamity about to break forth from the north. He sees a cauldron. It was a metal vessel (Ezekiel 24:11), large enough to prepare the meal for a numerous community (2 Kings 4:38). Being broad at the top, it was also used for washing purposes (Psalms 60:8). This cauldron was boiling furiously.

The face... — More correctly, as the margin indicates, that is, toward the south. We must suppose this cauldron was set upon a pile of inflammable materials. As these are consumed, it settles down unevenly, with its highest side toward the north, so that its face is turned the other way and looks southward. If it should continue to settle in this way, the time must finally come when it will be overturned and will pour the whole mass of its boiling contents upon the south.