Jeremiah 1:1-19
THE CALL OF JEREMIAH (13TH YEAR OF JOSIAH). FIRST PROPHECY 1-3. See Introduction.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CALL OF JEREMIAH (13TH YEAR OF JOSIAH). FIRST PROPHECY 1-3. See Introduction.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FIFTH MONTH] i.e. when Jerusalem was destroyed (2 Kings 25:3; 2 Kings 25:8). 4-10. Jeremiah's call and first prophecy.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME UNTO ME] see art. 'Introduction to Hebrew Prophecy.' We cannot doubt that Jeremiah had long mourned over his people's sins, and yet perhaps hesitated to undertake the burden of witnessing against them. At length he became conscious of a divine call to the prophetic office,... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNEW THEE] approved, selected thee: cp. Genesis 18:19; Psalms 1:6; Nahum 1:7. SANCTIFIED] consecrated: cp. John Baptist (Luke 1:15) and St. Paul (Galatians 1:15). UNTO THE NATIONS] This points out a distinction between the work of Jeremiah as a prophet and that of many of his predecessors, e.g. El... [ Continue Reading ]
A CHILD] not probably in years, but in fitness. 'Who is sufficient for these things?'... [ Continue Reading ]
TOUCHED MY MOUTH] symbolic of divine grace and inspiration: cp. Isaiah 6:6; Ezekiel 2:9 to Ezekiel 3:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jeremiah's work was to be radical and destructive in denouncing the sins of his people and predicting their chastening, but also one of restoration and rebuilding through leading them to repentance. 11-19. Words of encouragement. Jeremiah is vouchsafed two visions. The first (11, 12) was the branch... [ Continue Reading ]
Since the days of Manasseh the Lord had not visited upon the people their sins. That period of rest was like the winter. The Lord is now rousing Himself; yet not only to punish, but to save as well. Through Josiah's reforms and Jeremiah's ministry religion is to be kept alive in a remnant, viz. thos... [ Continue Reading ]
The second vision was that of a seething pot with its mouth 'towards the south' (lit. 'from the face of the north'), and about to boil over. The meaning was as hinted in Jeremiah 1:14, that the great Babylonian power to the N. of Palestine, which had long been at strife with Elam and Media, would so... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL SET EVERY ONE HIS THRONE, etc.] This prediction was literally fulfilled (see Jeremiah 39:3). The function of administering justice was exercised by the king in person, and the neighbourhood of the city gate was the ordinary place at which trials were held. Here then the rulers of the invader's... [ Continue Reading ]
GIRD UP THY LOINS] The shortening of the robe by drawing it up through the girdle was preparatory to active exertion: cp. Elijah 1 Kings 18:46.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE MADE THEE.. A DEFENCED CITY, etc.] God would endue Jeremiah with firmness and resolution to carry out his mission in spite of all opposition.... [ Continue Reading ]