Jeremiah 6:18,19 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Therefore hear, ye nations The very heathen are called upon to take notice of these threatenings and denunciations of God's wrath against the Jews, lest they should think that the calamities which were soon to fall upon that people had happened by chance, and not by the appointment of that God whom they had dishonoured and refused to obey; and know, O congregation Of Israel, namely, the general assembly of the people at Jerusalem; what is among them Rather, what I have decreed against them. God would have all the world to know that the judgments which were coming on the Jews had been foretold by him, and inflicted for the punishment of their sins. Hear, O earth God's people, meant, it seems, by the word congregation, in the former clause; and the heathen nations are justly equivalent to the earth. Behold, I will bring evil upon this people The Chaldean army, with all the direful effect of it; even the fruit of their thoughts They may thank themselves for what is coming upon them, being the fruit of their contrivances and sinful imaginations. As they have sown, so shall they reap. They thought to strengthen themselves by their alliances with foreigners, which they formed independent of me, and in opposition to my express prohibition, and by having recourse to various species of idolatry, and other superstitions; and these very things will bring ruin upon them.