THE PROPHET SETS FORTH THE SIN OF THE NATION AND POINTS OUT THE INEVITABLE RESULT (REIGN OF JOSIAH, AND PROBABLY BEFORE THE REFORMS OF THAT KING: CP. JEREMIAH 3:6) This section furnishes us with the gist of the prophet's testimony during the early years of his ministry, and doubtless represents the... [ Continue Reading ]
JEREMIAH'S THIRD PROPHECY. THE FATE OF THE TEN TRIBES A WARNING TO JUDAH In this prophecy, as in the last, idolatry is denounced under the figure of unfaithfulness to the marriage vow. But as a marked distinction, God here invites to repentance, and on this there hinges pardon. 6-20. Israel and Ju... [ Continue Reading ]
BREAK UP, etc.] As the farmer is careful to clear the soil of weeds before sowing his seed, so with Israel. The sowing of repentance must be serious and real.... [ Continue Reading ]
CIRCUMCISE] Circumcision was a dedication of self to God's service, and a removal of imperfections.... [ Continue Reading ]
5-10. Destruction approaches Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
SET UP THE STANDARD] to mark out the safest route to those who were seeking the shelter of the walls of Jerusalem. EVIL FROM THE NORTH] The enemy (see Jeremiah 4:13) used chariots, and were therefore probably the Chaldeans, not (as some have supposed) Scythians.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LION] i.e. the enemy. OF THE GENTILES] RV 'of nations.'... [ Continue Reading ]
I SAW] some read, 'she saw.' BILL OF DI VORCE] i.e. exile.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jeremiah here struggles against the fate announced for the nation. After all its glorious history and the many promises of coming glory that prophets like Isaiah had made to it, was this to be the end? The prophet was 'in a strait betwixt two,' sorrowing for the doom of the nation and anxious to ave... [ Continue Reading ]
A DRY WIND] the Chaldean army coming like a sirocco from the E. JUSTIFIED HERSELF MORE] for Judah had even more warning than Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
TOWARD THE NORTH] to Assyria, the place of Israel's captivity.... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE OF.. TWO OF, etc.] A 'city' might be a mere village. A 'family,' i.e. descendants of a common ancestor, suggested a larger number. There were, e.g., only four or five families in the whole tribe of Judah. The reference here is to the return from the exile to Palestine.... [ Continue Reading ]
Dan was on the northern border of Palestine. MOUNT EPHRAIM was the range immediately N. of Judah, only about 10 m. from 'Jerusalem itself. Thus the enemy's approach is rapid.... [ Continue Reading ]
The blessings of repentance and obedience. Even the ark with the mercy seat on which the brightness which marked Jehovah's presence rested shall be forgotten, for Jehovah shall no longer be confined to one place or one people. All nations shall serve Him; His dominion centred in Jerusalem shall exte... [ Continue Reading ]
IMAGINATION] RV 'stubbornness.' The besiegers' tents compared to the booths of shepherds or husbandmen. 19-31. The prophet expresses horror at the approaching calamity.... [ Continue Reading ]
MY BOWELS] supposed to be the seat of emotions. The Lord tells of His affection for Israel. BUT] rather,'and.' HOW] i.e. In what honourable position? THE CHILDREN] the nations of the earth, all of them God's children, as created by Him. 22-25. An acceptable prayer of repentance.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEE Jeremiah 4:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
God's answer to the implied appeal to know why the invasion was permitted. It is not without cause, for, etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MULTITUDE OF MOUNTAINS] RV 'the tumult' (RM 'the noisy throng') 'on the mountains': the orgies and clamorous supplications of idolatrous crowds at the high places.... [ Continue Reading ]
LIGHTLY] RV 'to and fro.' SHAME] RV 'the shameful thing,' i.e. the god Baal: cp. Jeremiah 11:13. HATH DEVOURED] hath consumed in the form of sacrifices the fruits of our toil. JEREMIAH 4:1. The assurance of forgiveness. 1. Then shalt, etc.] RM 'and wilt not wander.'... [ Continue Reading ]
YET WILL I NOT MAKE A FULL END] The destruction will not be complete: a remnant shall return: cp. Amos 9:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND _when_ THOU _art_ SPOILED] better, 'and thou, spoiled one,' i.e. Jerusalem. RENTEST THY FACE WITH PAINTING] RV 'enlargest thine eyes with paint.' The Eastern custom was to paint black the border of the eyes, so as to give the effect of size and brilliancy. So Jezebel in 2 Kings 9:30. JEREMIAH'S... [ Continue Reading ]