CHAPTER XXIII _Sequel of the discourse which commenced in the preceding_ _chapter. The prophet denounces vengeance against the pastors of_ _Israel who have scattered and destroyed the flock of the Lord_, 1, 2. _He concludes with gracious promises of deliverance from the_ _Babylonish captivity,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:2. _YE HAVE SCATTERED MY FLOCK_] The bad government both in Church and State was a principal cause of the people's profligacy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:5. _I WILL RAISE UNTO DAVID A RIGHTEOUS BRANCH_] As there has been no _age_, from the Babylonish captivity to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, in which such a state of prosperity existed, and no _king_ or _governor_ who could answer at all to the character here given, th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:6. _IN HIS DAYS JUDAH SHALL BE SAVED_] The real _Jew_ is not one who has his circumcision in the flesh, but in the spirit. The real _Israel_ are true believers in Christ Jesus; and the genuine _Jerusalem_ is the Church of the first-born, and made free, with all her children, from t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:7. _THE LORD LIVETH WHICH BROUGHT UP_] Jeremiah 16:14; _"_Jeremiah 16:15_"_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:9. _MINE HEART WITHIN ME IS BROKEN BECAUSE OF THE PROPHETS_] The first word of this clause is לנבאים _lannebiim_, which we incorporate with the whole clause, and translate, "Because of the prophets." But as a new prophecy begins here, it is evident that the word is the _title_ to t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:10. _THE LAND IS FULL OF ADULTERERS_] Of idolaters. Of persons who _break their faith_ to ME, as an _impure wife_ does to her _husband_. _THE PLEASANT PLACES OF THE WILDERNESS ARE DRIED UP_] He speaks here, most probably, in reference to _dearth_. Profane oaths, false swearing, ev... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:11. _IN MY HOUSE_] They had even introduced idolatry into the Temple of God!... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:13. _I HAVE SEEN FOLLY IN THE PROPHETS OF SAMARIA_] This was not to be wondered at, for their religion was a system of corruption.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:14. _I HAVE SEEN ALSO IN THE PROPHETS OF JERUSALEM_] That is, the prophets of Jerusalem, while professing a pure _faith_, have followed the ways, and become as corrupt as the prophets of _Samaria_. _THEY ARE ALL OF THEM UNTO ME AS SODOM_] Incorrigible, brutish sinners, who will as... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:16. _HEARKEN NOT UNTO THE WORDS OF THE PROPHETS_] That is, of those who promise you _safety_, without requiring you to forsake your sins and turn unto the Lord; see Jeremiah 23:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:18. _WHO HATH STOOD IN THE COUNSEL OF THE LORD_] Who of _them_ has ever received a word of prophecy from me? _My word_ is not _in_ _them_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:19. _BEHOLD, A WHIRLWIND_] The _simoom_: the hot pestilential wind blowing from the south, frequently mentioned or referred to in the sacred writings; see Jeremiah 23:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:20. _IN THE LATTER DAYS YE SHALL CONSIDER IT_] I give you warning: and this punishment which I now threaten shall surely take place; a short time will determine it; ye shall not escape.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:21. _I HAVE NOT SENT THESE PROPHETS, YET THEY RAN_] Not to save souls, but to profit themselves. _I HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO THEM, YET THEY PROPHESIED._] They never received the word at my mouth; yet they went, publishing their own deceits, and pretending them to be revelations from God... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:23. AM _I A GOD AT HAND, - AND NOT A GOD AFAR OFF?_] You act as if you thought I could not see you! Am I not omnipresent? _Do_ _not I fill the heavens and the earth_? Jeremiah 23:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:27. _BY THEIR DREAMS_] Dreams were anciently reputed as a species of inspiration; see Numbers 12:6; 1 Samuel 28:6; Joel 3:1; Daniel 7:1. In the Book of _Genesis_ we find many examples; and although many mistook the workings of their own vain _imaginations_ in sleep for _revelation... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:28. _WHAT_ IS _THE CHAFF TO THE WHEAT? SAITH THE LORD._] Do not mingle these _equivocal matters_ with _positive revelations_. Do not consider a _dream_, even from a prophet, as that _positive_ _inspiration_ which my prophets receive when their _reason, judgment_, and _spiritual fee... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:29. IS _NOT MY WORD LIKE AS A FIRE?_] It enlightens, warms, and penetrates every part. When it is communicated to the true prophet, it is _like a fire_ shut up in his bones; he cannot retain it, he must publish it: and when published, it is like a _hammer_ that breaks the rock in p... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:30. _I_ AM _AGAINST THE PROPHETS_] Three cases are mentioned here which excited God's disapprobation: 1. The prophets who _stole_ _the word_ from their neighbour; who associated with the true prophets, got some intelligence from them, and then went and published it as a revelation... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:33. _WHAT_ IS _THE BURDEN OF THE LORD?_] The word משא _massa,_ here used, signifies _burden, oracle, prophetic discourse_; and is used by almost every prophet. But the persons in the text appear to have been _mockers_. "Where is this _burden_ of the Lord?"-"What is the _burden_ now... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:36. _EVERY MAN'S WORD SHALL BE HIS BURDEN_] Ye say that all God's messages are _burdens_, and to _you_ they shall be such: whereas, had you used them as you ought, they would have been _blessings_ to you. _FOR YE HAVE PERVERTED THE WORDS OF THE LIVING GOD_] And thus have sinned ag... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:39. _I WILL UTTERLY FORGET YOU, AND I WILL FORSAKE YOU AND_ _THE CITY_] Dr. _Blayney_ translates: - _I will both take you up_ _altogether, and will cast you off together with the city_. Ye are a _burden_ to me: but I will take you up, and then cast you off. I will do with you as a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 23:40. _I WILL BRING AN EVERLASTING REPROACH UPON YOU_] And this reproach of having rebelled against so good a God, and rejected so powerful a Saviour, follows them to this day through all their dispersions, in every part of the habitable earth. The word of the Lord cannot fail.... [ Continue Reading ]