_THE CAPTIVITY OF JUDAH FOR HER SIN. TRUST IN MAN IS CURSED; IN GOD IS BLESSED. THE DECEITFUL HEART CANNOT DECEIVE GOD. THE SALVATION OF GOD. THE PROPHET COMPLAINETH OF THE MOCKERS OF HIS PROPHESY: HE IS SENT TO RENEW THE COVENANT, IN HALLOWING THE SABBATH._ _Before Christ 602._... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SIN OF JUDAH IS WRITTEN— This chapter is connected with the last thus: "I am now about to make my vengeance manifest upon Judah: their crimes are risen to the greatest height; they even glory in them. They have engraved them as an inscription upon their heart, upon the horns of their altars; as... [ Continue Reading ]
O MY MOUNTAIN— Houbigant, following the Vulgate, reads thus, _Thy high places are in all thy borders; I will therefore for all thy sins cause thy riches and treasures to be spoiled._ According to our interpretation, by _my mountain in the field,_ we are to understand the temple.... [ Continue Reading ]
CURSED BE THE MAN, &C.— This alludes to the confidence which the Jews had of assistance from the Egyptians, and their other allies, when threatened by the Chaldeans. By _flesh_ is meant mere mortal man, in opposition to the Almighty; and by _arm_ is meant _power_ or confidence. See Isaiah 31:1 and C... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEATH— See ch. Jeremiah 48:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL NOT SEE— _Is not sensible when heat cometh,_ &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEART IS DECEITFUL, &C.— This passage, divided from the context, and considered as an independent proposition, has been applied in a sense different from the design of the author. This will evidently appear, if we consider the connexion, and the general reason that he is pursuing: for, in the 5t... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THE PARTRIDGE— _As the snipe hatcheth_ or _broodeth upon eggs which she did not lay; such is he who getteth wealth, and not by right. In the midst of his days it shall desert him, and at his end he shall be a fool._ See Scheuchzer on 1 Samuel 26:20. Houbigant renders the 12th verse, _The ancient... [ Continue Reading ]
A GLORIOUS HIGH THRONE— As in the preceding verses was set forth the vain dependence of him who seeks to advance himself by indirect methods; so here we are taught the solid foundation which he builds upon, who has recourse to the divine blessing and seeks to recommend himself to the favour of that... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL BE WRITTEN IN THE EARTH— "Their name shall be written in the dust, the least wind shall obliterate it." This is a proverbial manner of speaking, parallel to that of the Latins, who, speaking of vain and false promises, say that they are written on water; or, perhaps, to be _written upon earth,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERE IS THE WORD OF THE LORD? LET IT COME NOW— The interval of delay between the delivery of the word of prophesy and its accomplishment has afforded frequently to unbelievers a handle for scoffing at and questioning the truth of it. They want, forsooth, more immediate proofs for their conviction.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS FOR ME, I HAVE NOT HASTENED— _But I have not been in haste to outrun thy guidance,_ &c.] Houbigant translates it, _As for me, I do not hasten it, but follow after thee;_ that is to say, obeying thy counsel and advice.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHALL THERE ENTER, &C.— It hence appears, that the judgments denounced against Jerusalem were not irreversible; and from Jeremiah's advice to Zedekiah, chap. Jeremiah 38:17 it may be concluded, that if the king had hearkened to that counsel, the city would not have been destroyed, and he himsel... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FROM THE PLAIN, AND FROM THE MOUNTAINS, AND FROM THE SOUTH— These divisions of the country belonging to the tribe of Judah may be found, Joshua 15:21; Joshua 15:33; Judges 15:48 and these together with the tribe of Benjamin made up the whole kingdom of Judah, when taken separate from the kingdom... [ Continue Reading ]