_THE TIME, AND THE CALLING OF JEREMIAH: HIS PROPHETICAL VISIONS OF AN ALMOND-ROD AND A SEETHING-POT: HIS HEAVY MESSAGE AGAINST JUDAH: GOD ENCOURAGETH HIM WITH HIS PROMISE OF ASSISTANCE._ _Before Christ 628._... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORDS OF JEREMIAH— This chapter forms an entire section by itself. It contains the call of Jeremiah, and the commission given him by God; the purport of which is explained by two symbolical images. God encourages him to proceed in the execution of it by assuring him of protection and support.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE I FORMED THEE, &C.— See Isaiah 49:1. We have examples of a similar designation with that mentioned in the text, in St. John the Baptist, and St. Paul.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEE, I HAVE—SET THEE OVER THE NATIONS— In the style of Scripture the prophets are said _to do_ what they declare shall be done, and therefore Jeremiah is here said to be _set over nations, to root out,_ &c.; because he was authorized to make known the purposes of God, and because these events would... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAID, I SEE, &C.— The _almond-tree,_ שׁקד _shaked,_ is so called, because this tree, before all others, first _waketh,_ and riseth from its winter-repose. See Numbers 17:8. It flowers in the month of January, and by March brings its fruit to maturity; that is to say, in the warm southern count... [ Continue Reading ]
I SAID, I SEE A SEETHING-POT— _A pot that sendeth forth steam._ The steam of a boiling-pot very properly represents the judgments of the Almighty, which are often compared to a fire, as the afflictions of the Israelites are to a smoking furnace. The latter part of the verse should be rendered, _And... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SHALL SET EVERY ONE HIS THRONE, &C.— The allusion here is to the ancient custom of setting and judging at the gates: "I will send against Jerusalem the princes, to judge, to condemn, to punish it: I will establish a tribunal at each of your gates, where kings shall sit to judge you, attende... [ Continue Reading ]
BE NOT DISMAYED, &C.— _Be not thou confounded at their presence, lest I confound thee in their presence._ REFLECTIONS.—1st, We have here an account of the prophet's parentage, with the time of his prophesy. 1. He was of the sacerdotal race, the son of Hilkiah, not the high priest, nor of that fami... [ Continue Reading ]