CHAPTER XVII _This chapter begins with setting forth the very strong bias_ _which the people of Judah had to idolatry, with the fatal_ _consequences_, 1-4. _The happiness of the man that trusted in Jehovah is then_ _beautifully contrasted with the opposite character_, 5-8. _God alone knows the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:2. _WHILST THEIR CHILDREN REMEMBER_] Even the rising generation have their _imagination_ stocked with _idol images_, and their _memories_ with the frantic rites and ceremonies which they saw their parents observe in this abominable worship.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:3. _O MY MOUNTAIN IN THE FIELD_] The prophet here addresses the _land of Judea_, which was a _mountainous_ country, Deuteronomy 3:25; but _Jerusalem_ itself may be meant, which is partly built upon _hills_ which, like itself, are elevated above the rest of the country.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:5. _CURSED_ BE _THE MAN THAT TRUSTETH IN MAN_] This reprehends their vain confidence in trusting in _Egypt_, which was _too feeble_ itself to help, and, had it been otherwise, too ill disposed towards them to help them _heartily_. An _arm of flesh_ is put here for a _weak_ and _ine... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:6. _HE SHALL BE LIKE THE HEATH IN THE DESERT_] כערער _kearar_; or, like a blasted _tree_, without moisture, parched and withered. _SHALL NOT SEE WHEN GOOD COMETH_] Shall not be sensible of it: the previous drought having rendered it incapable of absorbing any more vegetable juices... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:8. _AS A TREE PLANTED BY THE WATERS_] Which is sufficiently supplied with _moisture_, though the heat be intense, and there be no rain; for the roots being spread out by the river, they absorb from it all the moisture requisite for the flourishing vegetation of the tree. _SHALL NO... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:9. _THE HEART_ IS _DECEITFUL_] עקב הלב _akob halleb_, "the heart is supplanting - tortuous - full of windings - insidious;" lying ever at the catch; striving to avail itself of every favourable circumstance to gratify its propensities to pride, ambition, evil desire, and corruption... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:10. _I THE LORD SEARCH THE HEART_] The Lord is called by his apostles, Acts 1:24, Καρδιογνωστης, _the Knower of the heart_. To him alone can this epithet be applied; and it is from him alone that we can derive that _instruction_ by which we can in any measure _know ourselves_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:11. _AS THE PARTRIDGE_] קרא _kore_. It is very likely that this was a bird different from our partridge. The text Dr. _Blayney_ translates thus: - (As) the kore that hatcheth what it doth not lay (So is) he who getteth riches, and not according to right. "The covetous man," says... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:12. _A GLORIOUS HIGH THRONE_] As he is _cursed_ who trusts in man, so he is _blessed_ who trusts in GOD. He is here represented as on a throne in his temple; to him in the _means of grace_ all should resort. He is the support, and a _glorious support_, of all them that trust in him... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:13. _WRITTEN IN THE EARTH_] They shall never come to true honour. Their names shall be written in the dust; and the first wind that blows over it shall mar every letter, and render it illegible.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:14. _HEAL ME - AND I SHALL BE HEALED_] That is, I shall be _thoroughly_ healed, and _effectually_ saved, if thou undertake for me. _THOU_ ART _MY PRAISE._] The whole glory of the work of salvation belongs to thee alone.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:15. _WHERE_ IS _THE WORD OF THE LORD?_] Where is the accomplishment of his _threatenings_? Thou hast said that the city and the temple should both be destroyed. No such events have yet taken place. But they did take place, and every tittle of the menace was strictly fulfilled.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:16. _I HAVE NOT HASTENED FROM_ BEING _A PASTOR_] Dr. _Blayney_ translates thus: "But I have not been in haste to outrun thy guidance." I was obliged to utter thy prediction; but I have not hastened the evil day. For the credit of my prophecy I have not desired the calamity to come... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:17. _BE NOT A TERROR UNTO ME_] Do not command me to predict miseries, and abandon me to them and to my enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:18. _LET THEM BE CONFOUNDED_] They shall be confounded. These words are to be understood as simple _predictions_, rather than _prayers_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:19. _THE GATE OF THE CHILDREN OF THE PEOPLE_] I suppose the most _public gate_ is meant; that through which there was the greatest thoroughfare.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:20. _YE KINGS OF JUDAH, AND ALL JUDAH_] This last clause is wanting in eight of _Kennicott's_ and _De Rossi's_ MSS., in the _Arabic_, and some copies of the _Septuagint_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:21. _TAKE HEED TO YOURSELVES AND BEAR NO BURDEN_] From this and the following verses we find the ruin of the Jews attributed to the breach of the Sabbath; as this led to a neglect of sacrifice, the ordinances of religion, and all public worship, so it necessarily brought with it al... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:24. _IF YE DILIGENTLY HEARKEN UNTO ME_] So we find that though their destruction was _positively_ threatened, yet still there was an unexpressed proviso that, _if they did return to the_ _Lord_, the calamities should be averted, and a succession of princes would have been continued... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 17:27. _BUT IF YE WILL NOT HEARKEN_] Then their sin lay at their own door. How fully were they warned; and how basely did they reject the counsel of God against themselves!... [ Continue Reading ]