Charles Spurgeon Commentary Jeremiah 9:19

"For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we ruined! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because they have cast down our dwellings." — Jeremiah 9:19 (ASV)

How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded,

Why did they not say, "How have we sinned"? No; men will think of the punishment they suffer; but they will overlook the sin they commit.

Because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast us out.

Why did they not say, "Because we have forsaken the LORD, because we have cast off the worship of Jehovah"? You cannot bring men to that point. They quarrel with the rod rather than with the hand that holds it. They mourn over the result of sin; but to the sin itself they still cling.