Definition: Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots [shall be] as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 4:13. It's a really powerful and somewhat dramatic statement about the future of humanity. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse describes a terrifying vision of God’s judgment on humanity. It suggests that we – humans – are destined to be completely destroyed, and there’s nothing we can do to stop it. Let's unpack the imagery: “He shall come up as clouds…” - Think of clouds – they drift through the sky, changing shape and moving quickly. This suggests a sudden, unexpected appearance. “…and his chariots [shall be] as a whirlwind” - A whirlwind is incredibly chaotic and destructive. It’s fast-moving, swirling, and causes devastation. This implies God will appear in a forceful, overwhelming way. “his horses are swifter than eagles” – Eagles are the fastest birds of prey. Horses are also powerful, but faster. This image emphasizes God's swiftness and power far beyond anything we can imagine. It’s like he’s appearing with incredible speed and agility. What does it mean in terms of our situation? The verse says that humanity is "spoiled." Let's translate that a bit: Spoiled means corrupted, broken, or tainted. It suggests we have fallen away from God’s goodness and righteousness. We are not aligned with his will anymore. So, the overall message is this: God is coming to judge humanity with incredible speed and power. He's about to bring a devastating consequence for our choices and actions. It's a stark warning about the consequences of rejecting God’s guidance. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a prophecy of judgment, but it doesn't necessarily mean literal destruction in the sense of a physical apocalypse. It speaks more to the spiritual consequences of our choices – our rebellion against God and our separation from him. --- Do you want me to: Explain any specific part of the verse in more detail? Discuss the context of this verse within the larger story of Jeremiah? Offer a different interpretation of its meaning?