Jeremiah 38:21

_BUT JEREMIAH SAID, THEY SHALL NOT DELIVER THEE. OBEY, I BESEECH THEE, THE VOICE OF THE LORD, WHICH I SPEAK UNTO THEE: SO IT SHALL BE WELL UNTO THEE, AND THY SOUL SHALL LIVE._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

He then adds, _If thou refuse to go forth, this is the word which God hath shewed to me _Jeremiah again declares that Zedekiah resisted in vain, because he kicked, as it is said, against the goad, for he could not possibly escape from coming into the hand of his enemies; which, when done, then neither the city nor the Temple would be spared. But the Prophet repeats again, that it had been shewn to him what to speak, he then spoke not in his own name, but by God’s command; which, it may be, was not then given him: but the Prophet knew that God’s decree, of which he had been the herald, could not be abolished. He then says, that this word had been shewed to him by God, even what follows —...

14-28 Jeremiah was not forward to repeat the warnings, which seemed only to endanger his own life, and to add to the king's guilt, but asked whether he feared to do the will of God. The less men fear God, the more they fear men; often they dare not act according to their own judgments and consciences....

CONTINUATION. EXPOSITION The object of the princes being frustrated (for in the "court of the guard" Jeremiah had perfect freedom and opportunity of speech), the princes resolve upon a more effectual means of stopping the prophet's mouth. He is thrown into a miry pit, with the object that he may die of starvation. JEREMIAH 38:1 Two Pashurs appear to be mentioned here: one probably the same who put Jeremiah in the stocks (Jeremiah 20:1, Jeremiah 20:2); the other a member of the first of Zedekiah's two embassies to the prophet (Jeremiah 21:1). On JUCAL

BUT IF THOU REFUSE TO GO FORTH,.... Out of Jerusalem, to the Chaldean army, and submit to them: THIS [IS] THE WORD THAT THE LORD HATH SHOWED ME, or the thing which should certainly come to pass; the word of prophecy the Lord had showed to the prophet, and which he now declares to the king; who asked of him a word, was desirous to know whether there was a word from the Lord, and what it was; and this it is which follows, in case he continued impenitent, obstinate, and disobedient....

CHAPTER 38 _ 1. Jeremiah in the dungeon and his rescue (Jeremiah 38:1) _ 2. Jeremiah with Zedekiah: His last appeal (Jeremiah 38:14) Jeremiah 38:1. Jeremiah is next accused of high treason. The charge is based on his message, given to him by the Lord: “He that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live.” Like the conscientious objectors during the past war, they accused him of being unpatriotic. “This man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.” They demand his life. In the sixth verse we see him in a deep dungeon, into which he was put by means of ropes. And Jeremiah sank into the vile mire. This reminds us of Him, our blessed Lord, who was also accused by false witnesses

Zedekiah asks Jeremiah about the future, swearing immunity to him, whatever his answer (Jeremiah 38:16). Jeremiah urges him to save himself and the city by surrender to Nebuchadrezzar's princes (Nebuchadrezzar being absent, Jeremiah 39:3; Jeremiah 39:5); promises that the Jews who have already deserted shall not illtreat him; declares a Divine vision of the end, contingent on the king's refusal to surrender. Jeremiah has seen the women of the harem being brought out for the Babylonian victors, and as they go he has heard them singing a dirge (Jeremiah 38:22) for Zedekiah. The king bids him conceal the true nature of this interview from

_the word_ viz. the picture of the women which follows. Dr. makes it to be an actual vision on the part of the prophet, and so renders "all the women … were brought forth … while they said, etc....

E. Interviewed by the King Jeremiah 38:14-26 TRANSLATION (14) Zedekiah the king sent and had Jeremiah the prophet brought unto him at the third entrance of the house of the LORD. And the king said unto Jeremiah, I am about to inquire about a matter; do not hide anything from me. (15) And Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto you, will you not surely put me to death? And if I give you counsel, you will not listen unto me! (16) And king Zedekiah swore unto Jeremiah in secret, saying, As the LORD lives who has made for us this soul, I will not put you to death or give you into the hands of the men who are seeking your life. (17) And Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, Thus says the LORD the God of hosts, the God of Israel: If you will only go forth unto the princes of the king of Babylon, then you shall live, and this city shall not be burned and you and your house

1-3. The removal of Jeremiah from the prison was favourable to the publication of his message. Hence the alarm of the princes....