_The word which came to Jeremiah_, &c. We have here the beginning of a
new discourse of Jeremiah, which, if introduced in its proper place,
as we have reason to think it is, was probably also, as well as the
foregoing, delivered in some part of the first three years of
Jehoiakim's reign. _Arise, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cannot I do with you as this potter?_ Have I not as absolute an
authority and power over you? Nay, God has an infinitely clearer title
to dominion over us than the potter has over the clay, for the potter
only gives the clay its form; whereas we have both matter and form
from God. As the work of hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation_, &c. God speaks
thus concerning nations and kingdoms in his word, and by his prophets
and ministers. Thus he told Jeremiah 1:10, that he had set him _over
the nations, to root out and pull down_ That is, to declare they
should be rooted out and pul... [ Continue Reading ]
_If I shall speak concerning a nation to build and to plant_ That is,
To advance and establish all the true interests of it; _if it do evil
in my sight_, &c. If it lose its piety and virtue, and become profane
and vicious; _then will I repent of the good_, &c. I will not proceed
with the good work w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now therefore speak to the men of Judah_ The Lord now commands his
prophet to make a particular application of the more general doctrine
which he had before delivered. _Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I frame
evil against you_ I have a work upon the wheel, which, when finished,
will effect your ruin;... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ask ye now among the heathen_ Such an apostacy as you are guilty of
(see Jer 18:15) is not to be paralleled among the heathen. Compare
Jeremiah 2:10. _Who hath heard such things_ When did people ever
behave toward their idols, which yet were no gods, as my people have
behaved toward me? _The virgin... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because my people have forgotten me The fountain of living waters;_
have forgotten what I am in myself, and what I have been, and am still
ready to be to them; have lost their knowledge of me, and their
remembrance of what I have done for them; _they have burned incense to
vanity_ To vain idols, th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said they, Come_, &c. Namely, after they had heard from Jeremiah
what God had ordered him to say to them concerning their destruction;
for this seems to be understood. _Let us devise devices against
Jeremiah_ Let us accuse him of being a false prophet; _for the law
shall not perish from the pr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Give heed to me, O Lord_ The people had determined _not to give heed
to any of his words_, (Jeremiah 18:18,) nor to admit any of his
complaints, nor take the least notice of his grievances; therefore he
appeals to God, as an impartial judge, that would hear both sides, as
every judge ought to do. I... [ Continue Reading ]