I Have said that the time, when Jeremiah began to discharge his office of a Prophet in God’s Church, is not stated here without reason, and that it was when the state of the people was extremely corrupt, the whole of Religion having become vitiated, because the Book of the Law was lost: for nowhere... [ Continue Reading ]
He begins in the second verse to speak of his calling. (8) It would have, indeed, been to little purpose, had he said that he came forth and brought a message; but he explains, in the second verse, that he brought nothing but what had been delivered to him by God, as though he had said, that he fait... [ Continue Reading ]
As to the beginning of his time and its termination, it has been briefly shewn, why he says that he had been chosen a prophet _in the thirteenth year of Josiah, _and that he discharged his office till _the eleventh year of Zedekiah. _ Now that _Josiah is called the son of Amon, _it is doubtful wheth... [ Continue Reading ]
Here Jeremiah explains more fully what he had already mentioned that he had been called from above, for otherwise he would have presumptuously obtruded himself: for no one, as the Apostle says, takes this honor to himself; but the call of God alone raises up prophets and teachers to their dignity se... [ Continue Reading ]
After having spoken of his call, the Prophet adds, that he at first refused his office, and he states this for two reasons; first, that he might clear himself from every suspicion of rashness, for we know how much ambition prevails among men, according to what James intimates, that many wish to be t... [ Continue Reading ]
Now follows the answer given to him, _Say not, I am a child; for thou shalt go, etc_. God not only predicts here what the Prophet was to do, but declares also what he designed him to do, and what he required from him, as though he had said, “It is thy duty to obey, because I have the right to comman... [ Continue Reading ]
We may learn from this verse that Jeremiah, when he observed the heavy and hard conflicts he had to undertake, was greatly disturbed; for he had not courage enough firmly and boldly to assail enemies so many and so violent. He indeed saw, that he had to do with a degenerated people, who had almost a... [ Continue Reading ]
Here Jeremiah speaks again of his calling, that his doctrine might not be despised, as though it proceeded from a private individual. He, therefore, testifies again, that he came not of himself, but was sent from above, and was invested with the authority of a prophet. For this purpose he says, that... [ Continue Reading ]
God having now shewn that Jeremiah’s mouth was consecrated to himself, and separated from common and profane use, proceeds to invest him with power: _See_, he says, _I have set thee this day over nations and over kingdoms _By these words God shews how reverently he would have his word received, even... [ Continue Reading ]
God confirms in this passage what he had previously said of the power of his word. These two verses, then, are to be taken as explanatory, for no new subject is introduced; but the former part is confirmed — that the Prophets spoke not in vain, or to no purpose, because they were invested with celes... [ Continue Reading ]
God then caused his servant to see the staff of a watcher. For what purpose? The answer is given: _Thou hast rightly seen the staff of a watcher, because I watch over my word to execute _(or, fulfill) _it _Interpreters seem to have unwisely confined this to the punishments afterwards mentioned: they... [ Continue Reading ]
Jeremiah begins now to address the people to whom he was sent as a Prophet. He has hitherto spoken of his calling, that the authority of his doctrine might be evident: and he spoke generally; but now he accommodates his teaching specially to the people. Hence he says, that he had a vision, and saw a... [ Continue Reading ]
And thus God testifies that the fire was already kindled in Chaldea and Assyria, which was not only to boil the Jews, but also reduce them to nothing. And then he expresses the same in other words — that _evil would come from the north _upon all the Jews. We shall hereafter see that there is present... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse contains an explanation of the last; for God more dearly and more specifically expresses what he had before referred to — that the evil would come from the north. He says that he would be the sender of this evil, and speaks thus of it: _Behold, I call all the families of the kingdoms of t... [ Continue Reading ]
God now assigns the reason why he had resolved to deal so severely with the Jews. It was necessary to teach them two things, — first, that the Chaldeans would not of themselves come upon them, but through God, who would gather and arm them; and secondly, that God Would not act in a cruel manner, nor... [ Continue Reading ]
God first bids his Prophet to be the herald of the dreadful judgment, which we have already noticed: for it was not his purpose to speak only as it were in a corner, or secretly, to Jeremiah, but he committed to him what he intended should be proclaimed audibly to the whole people. It hence follows,... [ Continue Reading ]
God supplies here his servant with confidence; for courage was necessary in that state of trembling which we have observed. Jeremiah thought himself unfit to undertake a work so onerous; he had also to do and to contend with refractory men, and not a few in number; for the whole people had already,... [ Continue Reading ]
God in this verse briefly reminds his servant, that though he would be supplied with invincible power, yet he would have great trials, so that his office would not be, according to a common saying, a mere play. He then shews for what purpose he would be made like a fortified city, an iron pillar, an... [ Continue Reading ]