The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth. Ver. 1. _The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth._] _De rebus retentionum_ - that is, concerning the drought or dearth by restraint of necessary rain and moisture - _unde frugum raritas, annonae caritas, fame... [ Continue Reading ]
Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up. Ver. 2. _Judah mourneth._] The prophet's pitiful complaint, bitterly bewailing the common calamity, and labouring thereby to bring them to a sense of the true cause of it, their sins... [ Continue Reading ]
And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, [and] found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads. Ver. 3. _And their nobles._] Who would be sure to have it if it were to be had. _ Sent their l... [ Continue Reading ]
Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads. Ver. 4. _Because the ground is chapt._] As our hearts also are and will be, when the heaven doth not hear the earth. _as _ Hos 2:21 It hath been before observed, that in the use of t... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook [it], because there was no grass. Ver. 5. _Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it._] The loving hind; Pro 5:19 _Alioqui studiosa sui partus,_ _a_ that is otherwise so exceeding chary and careful of her young. _ a_ Plin., lib. viii... [ Continue Reading ]
And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because [there was] no grass. Ver. 6. _And the wild asses._] _Secretes alias vagae libidinis in silvis,_ that usually course up and down the woods, and can bear hunger and thirst a long whil... [ Continue Reading ]
_O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou [it] for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee._ Ver. 7. _O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us._] Though our guilty consciences bring in large rolls of indictment written against us within a... [ Continue Reading ]
O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man [that] turneth aside to tarry for a night? Ver. 8. _O the Hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof._] In prayer, to pitch upon such of God's attributes as wherein we may... [ Continue Reading ]
Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man [that] cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, [art] in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not. Ver. 9. _Why shouldest thou be as a man astonished?_] That knows not which way to take: first he goes one way, and by and by he retur... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins. Ver. 10. _They have loved to wander._] Therefore now they shall have enough of it; yet not wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for [their] good. Ver. 11. _Pray not for this people._] See on Jeremiah 7:16 .... [ Continue Reading ]
When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence. Ver. 12. _When they fast I will not hear their cry._] At their fasts they were wont to pray earnestl... [ Continue Reading ]
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place. Ver. 13. _Ah, Lord God!_] The Vulgate Latin hath it, _Ah, ah, ah. Vide diligentissimam intercessionem._ He seeketh somewhat to ex... [ Continue Reading ]
Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. Ver. 14. _The prophets prophesy falsely in my name,... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed. Ver. 15. _Yet they say._] Heb., They are saying. This is all their song, though the pr... [ Continue Reading ]
And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them. Ver. 16. _And the people to whom they pr... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow. Ver. 17. _Let mine eyes run down._] This the prophet did doubtless in good earnest; l... [ Continue Reading ]
If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not. Ver. 18. _If I go forth into the field._] The prophet here sets forth the siege... [ Continue Reading ]
Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and [there is] no healing for us? we looked for peace, and [there is] no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble! Ver. 19. _Hast thou utterly rejected Judah?_] So as that I may not put up one prayer... [ Continue Reading ]
We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, [and] the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee. Ver. 20. _We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness._] We, the better sort of us, do so. And so the saints have ever done in their interdealings with God, falling low at his footstool for pardon... [ Continue Reading ]
Do not abhor [us], for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us. Ver. 21. Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake.] This was to "continue instant in prayer." Rom 12:12 This was to pray on, and not to faint. Luk 18:1 If thy suit be not honest, n... [ Continue Reading ]
Are there [any] among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? [art] not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these [things]. Ver. 22. _Are there among the vanities of the Gentiles,_] _i.e., _ The heathen idols w... [ Continue Reading ]