In earlier times, Jerusalem was like a beautiful woman, admired by all. Now she is like a woman who is menstruating and unclean (see Leviticus 15:19–24). Worst of all, she is like a naked woman, whose uncleanness can be seen by everyone.
How did Jerusalem bring such shame on herself? It was by her great sin. She turned away from her God and committed adultery with false gods. She broke covenant with God. Jerusalem knows this and his ashamed: “She herself groans and turns her face away.”
Who is Jeremiah speaking about here? It seems that most of the people of Judah and Jerusalem were not ashamed for their sin. They were rather angry at God (see, e.g., Jeremiah 38:1 – 44:30). Jeremiah is speaking about those people who did humble themselves when the exile came. Think of Jeremiah’s friends Baruch (Jeremiah 36:1–32; Jeremiah 45:1–5 and Ebed-Melech (Jeremiah 38:1–28). Think of the prophets Ezekiel and Daniel and their followers. These people were ashamed of the sins of their people. They confessed sin on behalf of their people (seePsalm 74:1–23; Psalm 79:1–13; Daniel 9:1–27). This is a lesson we can learn from them: to be ashamed of sin and confess it before God, also the sin that was committed by the church before our time, and in our time.
8 Jerusalem sinned grievously; therefore she became filthy; all who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans and turns her face away.