Jeremiah 5:1

CHAPTER V

The prophet, having described the judgments impending over his

countrymen, enlarges on the corruptions which prevailed among

them. Their profession of religion was all false and

hypocritical, 1, 2.

Though corrected, they were not amended, but persisted in their

guilt, 3.

This was not the case with the low and ignorant only, 4;

but more egregiously so with those of the higher order, from

whose knowledge and opportunities better things might have been

expected, 5.

God therefore threatens them with the most cruel enemies, 6;

and appeals to themselves if they should be permitted to

practise such sins unpunished, 7-9.

He then commands their enemies to raze the walls of Jerusalem,

10;

that devoted city whose inhabitants added to all their other

sins the highest contempt of God's word and prophets, 11-13.

Wherefore his word, in the mouth of his prophet, shall be as

fire to consume them, 14;

the Chaldean forces shall cruelly addict them, 15-17;

and farther judgments await then as the consequence of their

apostasy and idolatry, 18, 19.

The chapter closes with a most melancholy picture of the moral

condition of the Jewish people at that period which immediately

preceded the Babylonish captivity, 20-31.

NOTES ON CHAP. V

Verse Jeremiah 5:1. Broad places] Market-places, and those where there was most public resort.

If ye can find a man] A certain philosopher went through the streets of Athens with a lighted lamp in his hand; and being asked what he sought, answered, "I am seeking to find a MAN." So in Jerusalem none was found, on the most diligent search, who acted worthy the character of a rational being.

I will pardon it.] I will spare the city for the sake of one righteous person. So at the intercession of Abraham, God would have spared Sodom if there had been ten righteous persons found in it; Genesis 18:26.