Jeremias 47

Horae Homileticae de Charles Simeon

Jeremias 47:6-7

6 " ‘Ah, espada do Senhor, quando você descansará? Volte à sua bainha, acalme-se e repouse. ’

7 Mas como poderá ela descansar quando o Senhor lhe deu ordens, quando ele lhe ordenou que ataque Ascalom e o litoral? "

DISCOURSE: 1085
THE MEANS OF TERMINATING WAR

Jeremias 47:6. O thou sword of the Lord, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? Put up thyself into thy scabbard; rest, and be still. How can it be quiet, seeing the Lord hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea-shore? there hath he appointed it.

THOUGH the two nations of Judah and Israel were the primary objects of attention to the prophets, yet many other nations were referred to in their prophecies; and the most important events respecting them were circumstantially foretold. The chapter before us relates to the Philistines: and it was written at a time when they had recovered the power, of which David had deprived them. It foretells the invasion of their land by the Chaldeans, together with the long continuance of the conflict, which should end in the subjugation of them and their allies.
We shall not confine our attention to them, but take the text as expressing generally,

I. The evils of protracted war—

War is a tremendous evil—
[It is so even in its commencement: the distress of the Philistines at the approach of the invading army is very strongly depicted [Note: “The men cry and howl:” and the fathers are so terrified and enfeebled, as either to forget their own children, or to be afraid to look back for them. ver. 2, 3.]: and doubtless the representation is suited to any other country that is similarly circumstanced — — — What then must be the miseries attendant on a protracted warfare! the desolations must spread far and wide; the slaughters be multiplied; famines be produced; perhaps pestilence also be generated. But who can enumerate the miseries which war brings in its train? — — —]

Well might the prophet desire its speedy termination—
[Humanity alone, independent of patriotic feelings or private interests, would make one desire to see the sword restored to its scabbard. Some who fatten on the spoils of war, or whose ambition is insatiable, may wish to have these fatal contests protracted; but every one who regards either the temporal or spiritual welfare of mankind, will ardently wish for the termination of them. The days described by the prophet will be desired, infinitely beyond any national aggrandizement, or personal advancement [Note: Isaías 11:6.]

Whilst all acknowledge the evils of war, few seem to be aware of,

II.

The reason of its continuance—

War is one of those judgments with which God punishes the sins of men—
[We are apt to look only to second causes, instead of acknowledging, as we ought, the First Great Cause. Doubtless the passions of men are the immediate sources from whence the calamities of war arise: and men are strictly amenable, both to God and their fellow-creatures, for the evils, which, by their undue exercise of those passions, they inflict upon the world, But God, who accomplishes his own purposes without at all infringing on the liberty of the human will, renders those passions subservient to his own designs; and employs men as his agents, as a man employs an axe in the execution of any work which he chooses to effect [Note: Jeremias 51:20.]. Man is the instrument; but God is the real author of the work that is done [Note: Isaías 10:14.]

Till he has effected his own purposes by it, no human efforts can bring it to a close—
[What are his ultimate designs, is known to himself alone: but whatever “his counsel be, it shall stand; and he will do all his will.” He had “given the sword a charge against Ashkelon and the sea-shore; and therefore it could not be quiet,” till it had executed its commission. He puts a cup into the hand of different nations; and it must go round, till they have all drunk of it. In vain will any refuse it: taste they must, yea and drink too, even to the dregs, if God has so decreed [Note: Jeremias 25:15; Jeremias 25:27.]. And, as we ourselves have been his instruments, to carry war to coasts which were, according to human appearances, most secure; so may we have it brought to our own shores, not with standing the security we appear to enjoy; and, if “God has so appointed,” no power or policy of men will be able to avert the storm: we have partaken largely of the sins of other nations; and we must expect to partake also of their punishments [Note: Ezequiel 23:31.]

But what is impossible with man, is possible with God; who has mercifully declared to us,

III.

The means of its termination—

The intention of God’s chastisements is to bring us to repentance—
[God has no pleasure in correcting the children of men: on the contrary, “judgment is his strange act,” to which with reluctance and difficulty he proceeds. But he tells us plainly, that he will proceed, till he has accomplished his gracious ends; yea that, if we hold fast our iniquities, he will increase his chastisements seven-fold [Note: Levítico 26:27.]. On the contrary, he promises, that if we humble ourselves before him, he will remove them [Note: Levítico 26:40.]. When his rod does not produce the desired effect, he complains of us [Note: Zacarias 7:11.], and expresses the deepest regret that we have not suffered him to exercise the mercy which was in his heart towards us [Note: Salmos 81:13.]. In a word, his message to the whole world is this, “Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin [Note: Ezequiel 18:30.].”]

On the attainment of his end, he will instantly remove his judgments from us—
[What an example is given us, in his mercy towards the inhabitants of Nineveh! How did he regard even the humiliation of Ahab, though he knew it to be only external, selfish, and partial [Note: 1 Reis 21:29.]! This then is the way to terminate the calamities of war. Sin is, as it were, the target, at which God shoots his arrows. The sword is drawn, “to avenge the quarrel of his covenant:” let that quarrel be composed, and “the sword will be returned to its scabbard; it will rest, and be still.”]

Having considered the means of terminating the calamities of war, and of averting the judgments of God from our land, we would, in

Conclusion—

Suggest some hints respecting those heavy judgments, which God has denounced against sinners in another world, and respecting the best means of averting them from our souls—
[That the sword has a charge against impenitent sinners, is certain [Note: Salmos 7:11; Salmos 9:17; Salmos 11:6.] — — — nor, however secure they may think themselves, shall they be able to escape it [Note: Provérbios 11:21.] — — — “Except they repent, they must all inevitably perish [Note: Lucas 13:3; Lucas 13:5.].” Moreover, if it be once drawn out against a person in the eternal world, it shall never be returned to its scabbard. Think then whether it have not received a charge against you. It is true, you are not mentioned by name; but you may be as clearly marked by character, as if your very name were specified. Possibly enough your works are such as to determine your state, beyond any possibility of doubt [Note: Gálatas 5:19.]: or, if not, your want of regeneration and conversion may no less clearly mark you as monuments of God’s displeasure [Note: João 3:3; João 3:5.] — — — Know then, that in Christ only can you obtain pardon and peace: “There is no other name given, whereby you can be saved.” Seek then “to be found in him:” and know for your comfort, “if your life be hid with Christ in God,” it will be out of the reach of God’s avenging sword; and “when Christ, who is your life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory.”]

Introdução

CONTENTS TO VOL. IX.

Discourse

Text

Subject

Jeremiah

1026. Jeremias 2:4.

The Ingratitude of Men

1027. Jeremias 2:12.

The Fountain of living Waters

1028. Jeremias 2:19.

The Evil of Backsliding

1029. Jeremias 2:23.

Self-Vindicating Sinners reproved

1030. Jeremias 2:27.

The Folly of neglecting God

1031. Jeremias 2:31.

God’s Complaint against the Rebellious

1032. Jeremias 3:11.

Comparative Criminality

1033. Jeremias 3:12.

God’s Invitation to his People

1034. Jeremias 3:19.

The true Source of Salvation

1035. Jeremias 3:22.

Invitation to Backsliders

1036. Jeremias 4:3.

Repentance the Means of preventing Ruin

1037. Jeremias 4:14.

The Importance of suppressing vain Thoughts

1038. Jeremias 4:19.

The Miseries of War

1039. Jeremias 5:23.

God’s Bounties and our Ingratitude

1040. Jeremias 6:16.

The good old Way

1041. Jeremias 8:4.

Expostulation with the Impenitent

1042. Jeremias 8:11.

Healing our Wounds slightly

1043. Jeremias 8:20.

The Remedy for those who have lost their Seasons of Grace

1044. Jeremias 8:22.

Christ our Physician

1045. Jeremias 9:3.

Fortitude recommended on the Side of Truth

1046. Jeremias 9:23.

True and sufficient Grounds of Glorying

1047. Jeremias 13:11.

The Contempt with which God’s richest Mercies are treated

1048. Jeremias 13:15.

A Call to Repentance

1049. Jeremias 13:23.

The Power of evil Habits

1050. Jeremias 13:27.

God is desirous of saving Men

1051. Jeremias 14:7.

God’s Name the Sinner’s Plea

1052. Jeremias 14:7.

A Pattern for National Humiliation

1053. Jeremias 14:20.

How to plead with God

1054. Jeremias 15:16.

The Word of God precious

1055. Jeremias 17:5.

The Duty of trusting in God

1056. Jeremias 17:9.

Necessity of knowing Ourselves

1057. Jeremias 17:10.

God’s Rule of Judgment

1058. Jeremias 18:6.

The Potter’s Power over the Clay

1059. Jeremias 20:9.

A Soul under Discouragement

1060. Jeremias 23:6.

The Lord our Righteousness

1061. Jeremias 23:23.

The Omnipresence of God

1062. Jeremias 23:28.

Fidelity required in Ministers

1063. Jeremias 25:5.

Religion is not a Source of Evil to those who embrace it

1064. Jeremias 29:11; Jeremias 29:13.

God will be found of sincere Worshippers

1065. Jeremias 30:10.

God’s gracious Designs towards his chosen People

1066. Jeremias 30:17.

The Conversion of the Jews—our Duty to promote it

1067. Jeremias 30:21.

God’s Regard for those who approach unto Him

1068. Jeremias 31:3.

Gracious Influences the Fruit of electing Love

1069. Jeremias 31:7.

The Restoration of the Jews

1070. Jeremias 31:8.

The Christian Pilgrims

1071. Jeremias 31:10.

The preached Gospel a Source of Blessings to the World

1072. Jeremias 31:18.

The Reflections of a Penitent

1073. Jeremias 31:30

The sure Consequences of sin

1074. Jeremias 31:31.

The New Covenant

1075. Jeremias 31:35.

The Church’s Security

1076. Jeremias 32:37.

The future Conversion of the Jews

1077. Jeremias 32:39.

Salvation is of God from first to last

1078. Jeremias 33:3.

The Importance of Prayer

1079. Jeremias 33:6.

Conversion of the Jews—a Matter of Importance to God and Man

1080. Jeremias 35:13.

Disobedience to God condemned

1081. Jeremias 36:27.

Jehoiakim burns the sacred Roll

1082. Jeremias 42:20.

Dissimulation reproved

1083. Jeremias 44:16.

The Impiety of ungodly Men

1084. Jeremias 45:5.

We must not seek great Things

1085. Jeremias 47:6.

The Means of terminating War

1086. Jeremias 50:4.

Repentance described

1087. Jeremias 50:20.

God’s Mercy to his People

1088. Jeremias 51:5.

God’s Mercy contrasted with our Sinfulness

1089. Jeremias 51:10.

Duty of acknowledging God’s Mercies