ירמיהו, פרק ד׳, פסוק ל׳

A desperate nation facing imminent destruction often turns to the very forces threatening it, hoping to win their favor. The prophet addresses the congregation of Israel [רד״ק] through a tragic and striking image of a ruined entity acting like a woman frantically dressing up to attract lovers, unaware that they actually seek her demise.

When ruin and devastation approach, the expected response is to submit, repent, and put on sackcloth. Instead, the nation ignores the approaching disaster [רד״ק] and attempts to awaken the pity of the attacker through artificial beautification [רש״י]. The preparation is elaborate and desperate. It involves putting on expensive red garments [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ] and adorning oneself with gold jewelry [מצודת ציון]. The effort extends to painting the eyes with dark powder, applying the makeup so heavily and persistently that the eyes appear unnaturally widened or torn open [רש״י, מצודת ציון, רד״ק]. All of this intense preparation is designed solely to attract the attention of adulterous lovers [רש״י, מצודת ציון].

The primary approach among commentators is that this entire scene is a metaphor for the nation's political and spiritual desperation. Rather than turning to God, the people try to flatter and appease idol-worshipping nations. They imitate the ways of foreign empires, adopt their customs, and offer bribes in hopes of securing political alliances and affection [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

However, reality strikes a harsh blow. Because the people abandoned their trust in God to rely on foreign powers, the outcome is the exact opposite of their intentions [רד״ק]. All the political maneuvering and attempts at beautification are completely in vain [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The supposed allies feel only disgust; they transform into bitter enemies who do not just reject the nation's advances, but actively seek to kill and destroy it [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].