John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 10:22

"The voice of tidings, behold, it cometh, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah a desolation, a dwelling-place of jackals." — Jeremiah 10:22 (ASV)

Jeremiah shows in this verse that prophetic doctrine was useless to an obstinate people. There is, no doubt, a contrast to be understood between the voice of God, which had constantly resounded in Judea, and the tumultuous clamors of enemies, for the prophets, one after another, had reproved the people, but without effect.

Now, then, as they were deaf to God’s voice, the Prophet declares that new teachers have now come who would address them in another way, and in an unusual manner. The voice then of rumor is heard; “You would not hear me and other servants of God; but a voice of rumor comes from the north: the Chaldeans will be your teachers. I send you to their school, since I have spent my labor for many years in vain, as have all those who before me diligently sought to lead you to the right way, whom God employed and who faithfully endeavored to secure your safety. But they were not listened to any more than I am, and therefore they ceased to teach you. I now turn you over to the Chaldeans; they will teach you.” This is the simple meaning.

The voice of rumor, he says, or literally, of hearing, שמועה (shimuoe), comes. That is, it is the voice which will be heard, for they had closed their ears to the prophetic warnings. And a great tumult or commotion from the land of the north also comes. We now see then that the Chaldeans are set in opposition to the prophets, who had labored in vain among the Jews. It is as though Jeremiah had said that the Jews would, willing or unwilling, be made to attend to this tumultuous noise, and he says that it would be for the purpose of turning the cities of Judah to desolation and an habitation of dragons.