Jeremiah 14:8

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? () (). HOPE OF ISRAEL. The reference is, not to the faith of Israel, which had almost ceased but to the promise and everlasting covenant of God. None but the true Israel made God their "hope." WHY SHOULDEST THOU BE AS A STRANGER IN THE LAND, AND AS A WAYFARING MAN THAT TURNETH ASIDE TO TARRY FOR A NIGHT. The traveler cares little for the land he tarries but a night in; but thou hast promised to dwell always in the midst of thy people (2 Chronicles 33:7;...

I have said that the former verse is confirmed by these words; for since the Prophet mentions to God his own name, we must consider the cause of the confidence with which he was supported, which was even this, — because God had chosen that people, and promised that they should be to him a peculiar people. It is then on the ground of that covenant that the Prophet now prays God to glorify his name; such a prayer could not have been made for heathen nations. We hence perceive how the Prophet dared so to introduce God’s name, as to say, _Deal _with _us for thy name’s sake _ He calls God, in the next place, _the hope of Israel; _not that the Israelites relied on him as they ought to have done, for the ten tribes had long before revolted from him, and so great a corruption had also prevailed in Judah, that hardly one in a thousand could be deemed faithful. Hope then among the people had becom...

1-9 The people were in tears. But it was rather the cry of their trouble, and of their sin, than of their prayer. Let us be thankful for the mercy of water, that we may not be taught to value it by feeling the want of it. See what dependence husbandmen have upon the Divine providence. They cannot plough nor sow in hope, unless God water their furrows. The case even of the wild beasts was very pitiable. The people are not forward to pray, but the prophet prays for them. Sin is humbly confessed. Our sins not only accuse us, but answer against us. Our best pleas in prayer are those fetched from the glory of God's own name. We should dread God's departure, more than the removal of our creature-comforts. He has given Israel his word to hope in. It becomes us in prayer to show ourselves more concerned for God's glory than for our own comfort. And if we now return to the Lord, he will save us t...

Verse Jeremiah 14:8. _O THE HOPE OF ISRAEL_] O thou who art the only object of the _hope_ of this people. _THE SAVIOUR THEREOF IN TIME OF TROUBLE_] Who hast never yet abandoned them that seek thee. _WHY SHOULDEST THOU BE AS A STRANGER IN THE LAND_] As one who has no interest in the prosperity and safety of the country. _AND AS A WAY-FARING MAN_] A traveller on his journey. THAT _TURNETH ASIDE TO TARRY FOR A NIGHT?_] Who stays the shortest time he can; and takes up his lodging in a _tent_ or _caravanserai_, for the dead of the night, that he may pursue his journey by break of day. Instead of _dwelling among us_, thou hast scarcely paid the most transient visit to thy land. O come once more, and dwell among us....

EXPOSITION This chapter must be read in connection with the following one. They describe chiefly Jeremiah's twofold attempt at intercession (see verses 7-9 and 19-22)—a tender and appealing attempt indeed. The terrible sufferings of the people during a drought went to the prophet's heart. He even ventured, when repelled the first time, to intercede anew, on the ground of the covenant, but in vain. On receiving (Jeremiah 15:2) a revelation of the bitter fate in store for his people, he bursts out into a heartrending complaint that his own destiny should throw him into such a whirlpool of strife. His Lord at once corrects and consoles him (Jeremiah 15:10). There are doubts, however, about the connection of these latter verses—The date of the drought is not stated; but as the punishm

O THE HOPE OF ISRAEL,.... The author, object, ground, and foundation of hope of all good things, both here and hereafter; in whom Israel had been used to hope in times past, and had great encouragement so to do, Psalms 130:7 or, "the expectation of Israel" f; whom they looked for to come: THE SAVIOUR THEREOF IN TIME OF TROUBLE; the Saviour of all men in a way of providence, but especially of the true Israel of God, of them that believe; who, though they have their times of trouble and affliction, by reason of sin, Satan, and wicked men, and other things, yet the Lord saves and delivers them out of them all in due time: WHY SHOULDEST THOU BE AS A STRANGER IN THE LAND; or, a "sojourner" g; who abides but for a while; and it not being his native place, is not so solicitous for the welfare of it. Jerome interprets this of Christ when here on earth, who was

In some respects, Jeremiah is one of the greatest of the ancient prophets, for he had most sorrowful task to perform. He had not to deliver a message full of Evangelical comfort, like that of Isaiah; nor had he gorgeous visions of coming kingdoms, as Ezekiel had; but he was the Cassandra of ibis age. Jeremiah spoke the truth, yet few believed him; his life was spent in sighing over a wicked people who rejected and despised him. He bore a heavy burden upon his heart, and tears continually bedewed his Cheeks, so that he was rightly called «the weeping prophet.» This chapter gives us an illustration of the style in which he used to pray. Jeremiah 14:1. _The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth._ There had been no rain, so the crops had failed, and there was a famine in the land. Jeremiah describes that famine in striking poetic imagery....

II. THE PROPHET'S MINISTRY BEFORE THE FALL OF JERUSALEM, THE PROPHECIES OF JUDGMENT AND RESTORATION, THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF JEREMIAH, HIS FAITHFULNESS AND HIS SUFFERING CHAPTER 14 The Great Drought, the Sword, the Famine, and the Pestilence _ 1. The description of the drought (Jeremiah 14:1) _ 2. The prophet's priestly intercession (Jeremiah 14:7) 3. The answer (Jeremiah 14:10) 4. The renewed prayer (Jeremiah 14:19) Jeremiah 14:1. The vivid description of the great drought is gi

JEREMIAH 14:1 TO JEREMIAH 15:9. THE DROUGHT IN JUDAH, AND JEREMIAH'S CONSEQUENT INTERCESSION. The date of this disaster is unknown, but some year in the latter half of Jehoiakim's reign is most probable. The effects of the drought are graphically described in Jeremiah 14:2. The personified gates represent the people who gather at them in mourning attire and attitude (sit in black upon the ground; _cf._ Jeremiah 8:21; Jeremiah 13:18). The empty pits are dried-up storage cisterns (_cf._...

THE HOPE OF ISRAEL. Put by Figure of speech _Metonymy_ (of Adjunct), for Jehovah, Who was, or should have been, Israel's hope. See Jeremiah 17:13; Jeremiah 50:7. and compare Genesis 49:18; 1 Timothy 1:1. STRANGER. sojourner....