John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 18:22

"Let a cry be heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring a troop suddenly upon them; for they have digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet." — Jeremiah 18:22 (ASV)

He proceeds with his imprecation. He then wishes that a cry should be heard from their houses, as if he had said, “Let there be no refuge for them when their calamity strikes.” For one's own house is a place of safety for everyone in a disordered state of affairs. The Prophet, therefore, wished them to be slain by their enemies even when concealed in their houses, for it appears from the preceding verse that he intended slaughter.

For why should there be a cry, except because of enemies breaking in and raging against them, while they, unable to defend their lives, were driven to lamentations and howlings? Let a cry then be heard from their houses, when you bring an army upon them suddenly; and he adds, For they have dug a pit to take me.

The Prophet indeed seems here to be the defender of his own cause; however, there is no doubt that, apart from anything personal, he hated the impiety of those of whom he speaks, because they insidiously assailed him even while he was doing the work of God. For the Prophet neither sowed nor reaped for himself, but only labored to obey God. When, therefore, they artfully assailed and circumvented him, what was it but openly to carry on war with God? Let us then remember that the Prophet does not here complain of troubles he underwent, or of injuries, but that he only pleads a public cause. For these ungodly men treated him perfidiously, while he was doing nothing else but laboring for God, and indeed for their salvation. At last he adds—