In the first prophecy of the series Jeremiah 18, the fate of Jerusalem was still undetermined; a long line of kings might yet reign there in splendor, and the city be inhabited forever. This was possible only so long as it was still undecided whether Josiah’s efforts would end in a national reformat... [ Continue Reading ]
HOUSE - i. e., workshop. The clay-field where the potters exercised their craft lay to the south of Jerusalem just beyond the valley of Hinnom. Compare Zechariah 11:13; Matthew 27:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WHEELS - literally, “the two wheels.” The lower one was worked by the feet to give motion to the upper one, which was a flat disc or plate of wood, on which the potter laid the clay, and moulded it with his fingers as it revolved rapidly.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO ARE YE IN MINE HAND - When a vessel was ruined, the potter did not throw it away, but crushed it together, dashed it back upon the wheel, and began his work afresh, until the clay had taken the predetermined shape. It was God’s purpose that Judaea should become the proper scene for the manifestat... [ Continue Reading ]
AT WHAT INSTANT - literally, “in a moment.” Here, “at one time - at another time.”... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL REPENT OF THE EVIL ... I WILL REPENT OF THE GOOD - All God’s dealings with mankind are here declared to be conditional. God changeth not, all depends upon man’s conduct.... [ Continue Reading ]
The word rendered “frame” is a present participle, and is the same which as a noun means “a potter.” God declares that He is as free to do what He will with the Jews as the potter is free to shape as he will the clay. DEVISE A DEVICE - “I am purposing a purpose.”... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SAID - Better, But they say. IMAGINATION - Or, stubbornness, see Jeremiah 3:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
The contrast between the chaste retirement of a virgin and Judah’s eagerness after idolatry, serves to heighten the horror at her conduct.... [ Continue Reading ]
Rather, “Will the snow of Lebanon fail from the rock of the field?” The meaning probably is, “Will the snow of Lebanon fail from its rocks which tower above the land of Israel?” The appeal of the prophet is to the unchangeableness of one of nature’s most beautiful phenomena, the perpetual snow upon... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE - “For.” Jeremiah returns to, and continues the words of, Jeremiah 18:13. VANITY - A word meaning “falsehood,” which signifies that the worship of idols is not merely useless but injurious. THEY HAVE CAUSED THEM TO STUMBLE - Judah’s prophets and priests were they who made her to err Jeremi... [ Continue Reading ]
HISSING - Not derision, but the drawing in of the breath quickly as men do when they shudder. WAY HIS HEAD - Or, “shake his head,” a sign among the Jews not of scorn but of pity. The desolation of the land of Israel is to fill people with dismay.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL SHEW THEM THE BACK - The hiding of God’s face is the sure sign of His displeasure Isaiah 1:15; Isaiah 59:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Jews were only hardened by the foregoing prophecy, and determined to compass Jeremiah’s death. LET US DEVISE DEVICES - i. e., “deliberately frame a plot” for his ruin (see Jeremiah 18:11 note). THE LAW SHALL NOT PERISH ... - As the Law of Moses was imperishable, the people probably drew the co... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VOICE - i. e., the outcry and threats.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jeremiah had been laboring earnestly to avert the ruin of his country, but the Jews treated him as farmers do some noxious animal which wastes their fields, and for which they dig pitfalls.... [ Continue Reading ]
POUR OUT ... SWORD - literally, “pour them out upon the hands of the sword, i. e., give them up to the sword.” PUT TO DEATH - Rather, slain of death. The prophet’s phrase leaves it entirely indefinite in what way the men are to die.... [ Continue Reading ]
The sack of the city follows with all the horrible cruelties practiced at such a time.... [ Continue Reading ]
YET, LORD - Better, But, Lord. They conceal their plots, but God knows, and therefore must punish. NEITHER BLOT OUT ... - Or, “blot not out their sin from before Thy face that they may be made to stumble before Thee.” THUS - Omit this word. Since there is an acceptable time and a day of salvation,... [ Continue Reading ]