_The word which came to Jeremiah_, &c. We have here the beginning of a new discourse of Jeremiah, which, if introduced in its proper place, as we have reason to think it is, was probably also, as well as the foregoing, delivered in some part of the first three years of Jehoiakim's reign. _Arise, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cannot I do with you as this potter?_ Have I not as absolute an authority and power over you? Nay, God has an infinitely clearer title to dominion over us than the potter has over the clay, for the potter only gives the clay its form; whereas we have both matter and form from God. As the work of hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation_, &c. God speaks thus concerning nations and kingdoms in his word, and by his prophets and ministers. Thus he told Jeremiah 1:10, that he had set him _over the nations, to root out and pull down_ That is, to declare they should be rooted out and pul... [ Continue Reading ]
_If I shall speak concerning a nation to build and to plant_ That is, To advance and establish all the true interests of it; _if it do evil in my sight_, &c. If it lose its piety and virtue, and become profane and vicious; _then will I repent of the good_, &c. I will not proceed with the good work w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now therefore speak to the men of Judah_ The Lord now commands his prophet to make a particular application of the more general doctrine which he had before delivered. _Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I frame evil against you_ I have a work upon the wheel, which, when finished, will effect your ruin;... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ask ye now among the heathen_ Such an apostacy as you are guilty of (see Jer 18:15) is not to be paralleled among the heathen. Compare Jeremiah 2:10. _Who hath heard such things_ When did people ever behave toward their idols, which yet were no gods, as my people have behaved toward me? _The virgin... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because my people have forgotten me The fountain of living waters;_ have forgotten what I am in myself, and what I have been, and am still ready to be to them; have lost their knowledge of me, and their remembrance of what I have done for them; _they have burned incense to vanity_ To vain idols, th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said they, Come_, &c. Namely, after they had heard from Jeremiah what God had ordered him to say to them concerning their destruction; for this seems to be understood. _Let us devise devices against Jeremiah_ Let us accuse him of being a false prophet; _for the law shall not perish from the pr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Give heed to me, O Lord_ The people had determined _not to give heed to any of his words_, (Jeremiah 18:18,) nor to admit any of his complaints, nor take the least notice of his grievances; therefore he appeals to God, as an impartial judge, that would hear both sides, as every judge ought to do. I... [ Continue Reading ]