Benjamin Is Warned as Siege Reaches Jerusalem

Benjamin is told to flee as northern evil reaches Zion

O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction. I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman. Shepherds with their flocks come against her; they pitch tents and feed round about.

Flight signals are mercy to those who can leave. Military imagery does not command present violence. Daughter Zion's delicacy is vulnerability, not a sneer at women. The north remains this book's imperial horizon, not a modern country code.

Oppression wells up, and instruction is still offered

Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away. This is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her. As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her. Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.

Endangered civilians are not made responsible for the armies at the wall. Violence and spoil inside the city explain the visit; they do not justify harming the people trapped there. Instruction is still addressed to Jerusalem.