ירמיהו, פרק ב׳, פסוק ל״ז

Relying on foreign powers instead of trusting in God ultimately leads to disappointment, regret, and deep pain. Political alliances offer a false sense of security that shatters exactly when it is needed most. Just as past attempts to rely on the king of Assyria ended in worry and wailing, the current dependence on the ruler of Egypt will end in bitter disappointment. When it becomes clear that these foreign supports have failed, the people will walk away full of regret.

They will depart with their hands on their heads. This physical posture is a traditional expression of mourning, lamentation, and profound sadness. It is the typical stance of a woman crying out after suffering a sudden disaster or violation, much like Tamar did after her own tragedy [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Beyond the physical gesture, this posture also serves as a metaphor, illustrating that the people will bear the heavy weight of the punishment for their sins directly upon their own heads [רד״ק].

This political strategy is doomed to fail because God actively rejects the objects of their trust. This rejection is not directed at the emotion of confidence itself, but at the foreign ministers and mediators the people have chosen to rely on [מלבי״ם]. God opposes the very act of turning to Egypt for help, as it directly contradicts His will.

Consequently, no success can come from this alliance. The people will fail to find favor with the Egyptians and will not receive any protection against their enemies [מצודת דוד]. They will not achieve any meaningful success through these foreign powers [רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. Taking this a step further, the failure extends even to the foreign powers themselves. Because God has rejected these alliances, the people will be unable to bring any prosperity or success to their supposed helpers. Once God withdraws His favor from these foreign supports, they are stripped of any possibility of success [מלבי״ם].