Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 6:4

4 Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Wo unto us, for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out.

The Prophet now passeth from his Metaphor to tell them plainly what he means by the Shepherds, viz. Warriors; some make these words of the Chaldeans making preparations for their Invasion, and it may be by some of their accustomed rites, that they used before War; but it seems more probably to be the Words of God inviting them, and calling them into this work, therefore in the Heb. it is sanctifie War against her, chap. 22.7. he speaks unto such, as he had sanctified, or set apart for this work his sanctified ones, Isa. 13.3.

This shews how ready they will be to obey Gods call, the like we read, Isa. 21.5. and therefore is it said to go or march up at noon, not only to note their daringness, as needing no stratagems, or strength, or needing to stay for help, but rather to shew their forwardness to March on without stop or stay, they would not burn day light, but be speedy in their work, and they would take the first opportunity, whether morning or noon, day or night, as the next verse: The next words seem to strengthen this sense. Wo unto us the

day goeth away, &c. q. d. we delay, and tarry too long, and the day spends apace, we loose time, let us make haste about our work, expressing their greediness after their prey, as Souldiers use to do, or this wo unto us may be some form of imprecation, either against God, or men, which kind of speeches are usual with Souldiers when they are chased, and going upon some sudden onset, or exploit; though not a few make it the Complaint of the Prophet in the name of the people, foreseeing how their night of Affliction hasted on, their joyful dayes being as it were gone, Amos 8.9.10. but the former seems best to agree with the Scope.

They were so eagerly set upon it, that they watched the very lengthening of the shadow, which shews the approach of the evening, Psal. 109.23. See Hab. 1.8.