CHAPTER XV _God declares to Jeremiah that not even Moses and Samuel, whose_ _prayers had been so prevalent, could divert him from his_ _purpose of punishing so wicked a people_, 1. _Accordingly their captivity is again announced in a variety of_ _images so full of terror_, 2-9, _that the proph... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:2. _WHITHER SHALL WE GO FORTH? - SUCH AS_ ARE _FOR DEATH, TO_ _DEATH_] Some shall be destroyed by the _pestilence_, here termed _death_. See Jeremiah 18:21. Others shall be slain by the _sword_ in battle, and in the sackage of cities. Others shall perish by _famine_, shall be starv... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:3. _I WILL APPOINT OVER THEM FOUR KINDS_] There shall appear _four_ instruments of my justice. 1. The _sword_ to slay. 2. The _dogs_ to tear what is slain. 3. The _fowls_ of the heaven to feed on the dead carcasses. And, 4. The wild _beasts_ to destroy all that the fowls have l... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:4. _I WILL CAUSE THEM TO BE REMOVED INTO AN KINGDOMS OF THE_ _EARTH_] This seems to have respect to the _succeeding_ state of the Jews in their _different generations_; and never was there a prophecy more literally fulfilled; and it is still a standing monument of Divine truth. Let... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:5. _WHO SHALL GO ASIDE TO ASK HOW THOU DOEST?_] Perhaps there is not a more despised nor a more degraded people under the sun. Scarcely any one thinks himself called upon to do a kind office for a Jew. Their character is bad in society, and they are not at all solicitous to redeem... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:6. _I AM WEARY WITH REPENTING._] With repeatedly _changing my_ _purpose_. I have often, after purposing to punish, showed them mercy. I will do it no longer; it is useless. I took them often at their promise, and in every instance they have failed.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:7. _I WILL FAN THEM WITH A FAN_] There is no pure grain; all is chaff. _IN THE GATES OF THE LAND_] The places of public justice: and there it shall be seen that the judgments that have fallen upon them have been highly merited. And from these places of fanning they shall go out in... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:8. _THE MOTHER OF THE YOUNG MEN_] The _metropolis_ or mother city, _Jerusalem_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:9. _SHE THAT HATH BORNE SEVEN_] She that hath had a numerous offspring; Jerusalem, the parent of so many cities, villages, and families in the land. _Seven_ signifies a _complete_ or _full_ number.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:10. _A MAN OF CONTENTION TO THE WHOLE EARTH!_] To the whole LAND, to all his countrymen; though he had done nothing to merit their displeasure.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:11. _I WILL CAUSE THE ENEMY TO ENTREAT THEE_ WELL _IN THE_ _TIME OF EVIL_] This was literally fulfilled; see Jeremiah 39:11, c. Nebuchadnezzar had given strict charge to Nebuzar-adan, commander in chief, to look well to Jeremiah, to do him no harm, and to grant him all the privileg... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:12. _SHALL IRON BREAK THE NORTHERN IRON AND THE STEEL?_] Shall our weak forces be able to oppose and overcome the powers of the Chaldeans? נחשת _nechasheth_, which we here translate _steel_, property signifies brass or copper united with tin, which gives it much hardness, and enabl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:13. _THY SUBSTANCE - WILL I GIVE TO THE SPOIL WITHOUT PRICE_] _Invaluable property_ shall be given up to thy adversaries. Or, _without price_ - thou shalt have nothing for it in return.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:15. _O LORD - REMEMBER ME, AND VISIT ME_] Let me not be carried away into captivity; and it does not appear that he had ever been taken to Babylon. After the capture of the city he went into Egypt; and either died there, or was put to death by his countrymen.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:16. _THY WORD WAS - THE JOY AND REJOICING OF MINE HEART_] When I did receive the prophetic message, I did rejoice in the honour thou hadst done me; and I faithfully testified thy will to them. They have become mine enemies; not because there was any evil in me, but because I was fa... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:18. _WILT THOU BE ALTOGETHER UNTO ME AS - WATERS_ THAT _FAIL?_] Meaning either springs, which in the height of summer grow dry; or, like that phenomenon in the sandy desert, where, by a peculiar action of the air on the rising vapours, the resemblance of water is produced, so that... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:19. _IF THOU RETURN_] By repentance unto me, - _THEN WILL I BRING THEE AGAIN_] Restore thee to thy own country. But some think the words are spoken to the prophet in reference to his ministry. He had greatly repined because of the persecutions which he endured. The Lord reprehends... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:20. _I WILL MAKE THEE - A FENCED BRAZEN WALL_] While thou art faithful to me, none of them shall be able to prevail against thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 15:21. _I WILL DELIVER THEE OUT OF THE HAND OF THE WICKED_] From the power of this evil people. _AND I WILL REDEEM THEE OUT OF THE HAND OF THE TERRIBLE._] Out of the power of the Chaldean armies. Every thing took place as God had promised, for no word of his can ever fall to the grou... [ Continue Reading ]