Compassion.
God through Jeremiah pleads for Jerusalem to repent. But God’s word falls on deaf ears. The people continue to live as if God no longer matters. Even worse, the people believe that nothing bad can happen to them because they attend temple services. The people treat God as if he is a “good luck charm.” Say the right words, attend a temple service, and God will leave us alone. Jeremiah’s reaction is to weep. He cries because he knows what is going to happen and Jerusalem’s destruction requires a tender heart not anger. Sorrow for others is difficult to give at times. We may express anger at poor decisions and may even speak of the need for God to punish (this was done in the psalms and by prophets). But the emotional response that needs to come is sadness and grief. We know that innocent people are being hurt by the foolish choices people make especially when morality matters little. When we weep for those who are moving away from God then we will search for ways to encourage others to hear God’s message.