ירמיהו, פרק י״א, פסוק י״ב

In times of deep crisis and approaching danger, a desperate people will often turn to the false powers they once trusted, only to discover their absolute helplessness. When disaster strikes, the inhabitants living throughout the region of Judah [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ], or those attempting to flee from these places [רש״י], will cry out for rescue.

Their reaction reveals a deeply fractured and localized system of worship. The people of each individual city will seek out their own unique idol. Similarly, within Jerusalem itself, the residents of every neighborhood will desperately appeal to the specific false god to which they are accustomed to burning incense [מלבי״ם].

Yet, the response from these false gods will be complete silence. Despite the countless frantic prayers directed at this wide array of idols, the tragic reality will become undeniable. It will be absolutely clear that these objects of worship possess zero power to save or protect the people when the crushing weight of disaster finally falls upon them [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].