ירמיהו, פרק נ״א, פסוק י״ב

A decisive battle cry is directed at the enemy armies marching upon Babylon, outlining a precise military assault against the city walls that serves as the execution of a predetermined divine decree [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The attacking forces are instructed to raise a tall pole bearing a cloth flag [מצודת ציון]. The primary approach among commentators is that this banner signals the troops to gather, prepare, and launch their attack [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Conversely, another perspective suggests that this flag will only be hoisted upon the walls after the city falls, serving as a declaration of absolute victory and control, even though the immediate military orders focus on the upcoming siege [רד״ק].

A highly coordinated, multi-stage strategy is then set in motion to encircle the city [מלבי״ם]. First, the army must establish fixed guard posts and maintain strict shifts. The soldiers are ordered to hold their positions firmly and never miss a shift, preventing the Babylonian warriors from launching counterattacks from atop their walls [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם]. Second, individual watchmen are deployed. Unlike the stationary guards, these scouts actively patrol the perimeter of the city, particularly under the cover of darkness, to thwart any sudden sorties or escape attempts by the besieged inhabitants [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. Finally, forces are ordered to hide in the surrounding fields, preparing an ambush to capture and eliminate anyone who manages to slip past the patrols and attempt to flee [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].

Ultimately, this meticulous military campaign is guaranteed to succeed because it is the direct fulfillment of God's decree against the people of Babylon [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. God planned the downfall of the empire long ago [רש״י]. The absolute certainty of this destruction lies in the seamless connection between divine thought and divine action [רד״ק]. Exactly as God intended, the events unfold in reality [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם], with the final devastation of the city serving as the perfect, physical realization of His original plan [רש״י].