ירמיהו, פרק י״ח, פסוק י״ז

A harsh vision of destruction unfolds, depicting a time when the nation is violently scattered by enemies and entirely abandoned by God during their deepest crisis. The devastation is compared to a fierce, stormy east wind that forcefully overturns everything in its path, easily blowing away light objects like straw [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד]. Through this powerful imagery, God declares that He will scatter the people [מצודת ציון]. Just as a violent wind throws debris in every direction, the nation will be widely dispersed in a panicked, desperate flight from their attackers [רד״ק, מצודת דוד].

During this day of ruin and tragedy [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ], the relationship between God and the people is defined by turned backs rather than facing one another. There are two complementary ways to understand who is turning away. One approach suggests that God is looking at the backs of the fleeing Israelites. In their crushing defeat, He will only see the back of their necks as they run for their lives from the enemy [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת ציון]. Alternatively, the imagery represents God turning His own back on the nation. Much like a person turning away from someone they despise, God will hide His face, completely ignoring them and refusing to step in and save them [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, רש״י].

This withdrawal of divine protection operates on a strict principle of measure for measure. Because the people first chose to turn their backs and not their faces to God, He responds in the exact same manner. He will turn His back on them, hide His face, and cast them behind Him, leaving them to face their disaster alone [רד״ק].