JEREMIAH CHAPTER 1 The pedigree, time, and calling of Jeremiah; confirmed against his excuses, JEREMIAH 1:1 . His visions of an almond rod and a seething pot, JEREMIAH 1:11 . His heavy message against Judah, JEREMIAH 1:15,16. God promiseth him his assistance, JEREMIAH 1:17 . THE WORDS, i.e. sermons... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORD OF THE LORD; either that commission from God that did authorize him to his prophetical work, as it may probably be taken, 1 THESSALONIANS 10:35, was actually given unto him, JEREMIAH 1:10; or, command of God, as it is used, 1 KINGS 12:24; or rather, the materials of which his prophecies wer... [ Continue Reading ]
IT, viz. the word of the Lord, as JEREMIAH 1:2, CAME ALSO IN THE DAYS OF JEHOIAKIM; called at first by Josiah, Eliakim, 2 KINGS 23:34. Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin, whereof the former reigned before him, 2 KINGS 23:31, the latter succeeded, 2 KINGS 24:8, are conceived not to be mentioned, because they re... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN, i. e. when he was first called to his office; or, The Lord then began to speak unto me. ME; a change of the person, a thing very usual with the prophets.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE I FORMED THEE IN THE BELLY, i.e. womb, ISAIAH 46:3. Having spoken before of the time of his call, JEREMIAH 1:4, he now speaks of the manner of it. I KNEW THEE, i.e. approved and appointed thee, as a fit minister for this work. Words of knowledge among the Hebrews note affection, as hath been... [ Continue Reading ]
AH! an introductory interjection, making way for his excuse in a way of grief and complaint, endeavouring with all reverence to clear himself of undertaking such a work rashly, it being properly the sigh of one that hath too great a weight upon his shoulders. I CANNOT SPEAK; not dumb, as Zacharias,... [ Continue Reading ]
SAY NOT, I AM A CHILD; do not plead excuses. THOU SHALT GO: this is God's answer to Jeremiah, in respect of his sense of his own inability. This may be by way of command, and then it is a check to his timorousness; Thou shalt go, therefore draw not back. Or by way of promise, and then it is a satisf... [ Continue Reading ]
BE NOT AFRAID OF THEIR FACES; their fierce looks, EZEKIEL 3:9, the indication of their enraged minds, DANIEL 3:19; neither when thou deliverest my message to them, nor when thou mayst be cited before them, MATTHEW 10:18,19. This is God's answer to Jeremiah's fears in respect of the persons he was to... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE LORD PUT FORTH HIS HAND: God having before excited the prophet to his work by command and promise, doth now in a vision establish and confirm him, either by the hand of an angel, ISAIAH 6:6,7, or rather, by himself in some visible shape. TOUCHED, Heb. _came upon_, as the word is used, JUDGE... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE THIS DAY SET THEE OVER THE NATIONS AND OVER THE KINGDOMS: having now received his commission, he is directed to whom he is to go, viz. to the greatest, not only single persons, but whole nations, as the Babylonians, Persians, and Egyptians, and exhorted to greatness of mind, as being sent as... [ Continue Reading ]
This and the boiling caldron, JEREMIAH 1:13, is thought to be at the same time, and in the same vision, when he was first appointed to his work. A ROD OF AN ALMOND TREE, viz. that had leaves, and possibly blossoms, on it, like Aaron s, NUMBERS 17:8; for without leaves at least it is possible he had... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST WELL SEEN; or, Thou hast seen and judged right; or, as the Hebrew, THOU HAST DONE WELL TO SEE, i.e. in seeing so. I WILL HASTEN; word for word, I WILL ALMOND-TREE IT, i.e. I will be upon them speedily, in a short time, and suddenly, ere they are aware; or, I will watch, and be ready to acc... [ Continue Reading ]
After the smaller punishment from the Lord follows this of the boiling pot, by which understand Judea and Jerusalem, as may appear by the application that they themselves make of it in a way of scorn and derision, EZEKIEL 11:3,7. Some put the FACE OF THE POT for the pot itself; _as the face of the c... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD SAID; explained this vision. OUT OF THE NORTH, i.e. from Babylon, a metonymy of the subject; for though it lie eastward, yet it is north from Jerusalem, as lying four degrees more from the equinoctial. See JEREMIAH 1:13. SHALL BREAK FORTH; it shall be withheld or restrained no longer in my... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL CALL; or, I am upon calling, it is at hand, I am about to incline the northern countries to join together in this work, JEREMIAH 6:22, JEREMIAH 10:22 25:9,26. THE FAMILIES, or kindreds, viz. those divers countries and nations that were under one lord, as a chief ruler is called the father of... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL UTTER MY JUDGMENTS; cause sentence to be passed according to my threatening. See JEREMIAH 39:5. Or, I will place my bounty and their unworthiness before them. Or, I will upbraid them with their ingratitude, rebellion, and breach of covenant, &c. I will speak with them by thee, Jeremiah, and o... [ Continue Reading ]
GIRD UP THY LOINS: by this expression God quickens and hastens him upon his work, not to stand hesitating, but to be doing; prepare thyself: for it is a speech taken from the custom of the countries where they did wear long garments; and therefore they did gird them up about them, that they might no... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR, BEHOLD; Heb. _For I_, lo: q.d. For my part, I will not fail to do what I have promised, to stand by thee. A DEFENCED CITY, Heb. _city of defence_, impregnable, which the two following expressions do import; it should be supported with pillars, not of wood, but of iron, and encompassed with wall... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL FIGHT AGAINST THEE; make united attempts upon thee. See JUDGES 20:11. THEY SHALL NOT PREVAIL; they shall not be able, by all their devices, to shorten thy days, JEREMIAH 15:20, JEREMIAH 20:10,11. FOR I AM WITH THEE: here is the reason given of his safety, God will be his guard. See JEREMI... [ Continue Reading ]