CHAP. I. V. 1-3. Jeremiah, being of the family of Aaron, would have been an ordinary teacher of the people, if he had not been called to his extraordinary office: and the priestly and prophetical character were combined in him; as in Ezekiel and in John the Baptist. Some think that he was the son of Hilkiah the high priest, who found the book of the law in the temple: ( Note , 2 Kings 22:8-11.) but, as no intimation is given of this in the subsequent history, history, the o opinion is not at all probable.-Anathoth was about three miles distant from Jerusalem. ( Marg .
Ref . c.) Jeremiah was appointed to prophesy just after Josiah had effectually begun his reformation: and great things might have been expected from the united efforts of such a king and such a prophet, both young, and likely to continue long to be useful to the nation: yet their zealous labors aggravated the guilt, and thus accelerated the ruin, of their incorrigible countrymen.
Jeremiah prophesied forty years before the expulsion of the Jews from the promised land; as Moses had prophesied forty years previous to their entrance into it; but with a very different effect.- Fifth month . (3) Note, Zech. 7:2,3, v. 3.
V. 4. This seems to have been a visible 'appearance of the divine majesty,... by the 'Son of God, or the second Person of the 'blessed Trinity. Gen. 18:2. Josh. 5:13. Ez . '1:26. Dan . 8:15,18. 10:6,10.' Lowth . (Note, 9,10. Is . 6:1-4.)
Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; m and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, " and I * ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
6 Then said I, ° Ah, Lord God, behold, PI cannot speak; for I am a child.
7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: 'for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.
r 17,18. Ex. 7:1,2. 1 Kings 22:14. 2 Chr. 18:13. Ez. 2:3 -5.3:17-21,27. Matt. 28:20. Mark 16:15,16. Acts 20:27.
s 17. Is. 51:7,12. Ez. 2:6,7. 3: 8,9. Matt. 10:26,28. Luke 12: 4,5. Acts 4:13,29. Eph. 6:20. t 15:20,21. 20:11. Ex. 3:12. Deut. 31:6,8. Josh. 1:5,9. Is. 43:2. Matt. 28:20. Acts 7:9, 10. 18:10. 26:17. 2 Cor. 1:810. 2 Tim. 4:17,18. Heb. 13: 5,6.
'son out of a multitude, and call him by name, 'and appoint him to some honorable office or trust. So God expresses the peculiar favor he had to Moses, by saying, "I know thee by 'name," Ex . 33:12,17. The same thing is like'wise expressed by God's "sanctifying him," or 'setting him apart for the prophetical office. '... John 10:36. Lowth . ( Notes , Ex . 33:12-17. Is . 45:1-6. Acts 15:13-18, v. 18. Rom. 8:29 -31. 2 Tim . 2:19. Heb . 10:28-31, ν. 29.) Jeremiah did not only prophesy concerning the Jews, and Israelites; but also the Egyptians, Babylonians, Moabites, and other nations. ( Notes , 25: 46:-51:)
V. 6-8. The prophet would have declined, at least for the present, the service to which he was called.
He was young and inexperienced; ( Notes , 1 Kings 3:5-14. 1 Chr . 22:25, v . 5.) he did not consider himself as competent to so arduous and important an office; and he especially thought himself defective in the capacity of speaking with fluency and pertinency, or with that boldness and presence of mind which were requisite. ( Notes , Ex . 3: 11-13.4:10–14. 6:12.) This hesitation, though it arose from humility, and a proper sense of the greatness of the work, was alloyed with a mixture of unbelief, and a timid reluctancy to the perils and hardships, to which he might be exposed.
The Lord therefore over-ruled his objection, and ordered him not to say that he was a child; for he would embolden and strengthen him to address all, to whom he sent him, and give him utterance to speak all that he commanded him: he ought therefore to dismiss his fears, and rest assured that God would be with him to defend and deliver him. ( Notes , Matt . 10:19,20. 28:19,20, v . 20. Luke 12:11,12. 21:12-19, ν. 15.
Acts 4:29-31. 6:9 -14, v . 10.)-'The word translated "a child" is used with great latitude in scripture; and frequently signifies one who has arrived at full maturity: so that we cannot from it determine any thing concerning the age of Jeremiah, when he entered on his prophetical office: though the number of years, during which he executed the prophetical office, shews, that he must at this time have been young.-'To re
V. 5. The Lord foreknew Jeremiah before he was formed in the womb; and gave him his being for the purpose of making him a prophet to Israel, and to other nations: he separated him, by his fixed determination for this work, before his birth; and perhaps made him partaker of the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, even in his mother's womb. And he let him know this his appointment, that he might prepare for the work assigned him, and apply himself to it. ( Notes , Judg . 13:2-5. Is . 49:1, 2. Luke 1:11-17. Acts 9:15,16, v. 15. Gal. 1:15-24, ν. 15.) - 'This favor is expressed by 'knowing him , or taking special notice of him: 'as if a prince should single one particular per- || 'prove the faults of all persons, the great men 9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, "and touched my mouth; and the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations, and over the kingdoms, "to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
[Practical Observations.]
11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond-tree.
12 Then said the LORD unto me, & Thou hast well seen; for I will hasten my word to perform it.
13 And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What
u Ex. 4:11,12. Is. 6:6,7. 49:2.
50:4. Luke 21:15.
x 5:14. Ex. 4:15,16. Is. 51:16. Ez 3:10. Matt. 10:19,20. Luke 12:12.
y 25:15-27. 27:2-7. 46:-51: 1 Kings 17:1. Rev. 11:3-6. z 18:7-9.1 Kings 19:17. Ez. 32:18. 43:3. Am. 3:7. Zech. 1:6. Rev. 19:19-21.
a 18:9. 24:6. 31:4,5,28. Is. 44:26 -28. Ez. 36:36. Am. 9.11. b Am. 7:8. 8:2. Zech. 4:2. 5:2. c Num. 17:8. Ez. 7:10.
d Deut. 5:28. 18:17. Luke 10: 28. 20:39.
e 39:52: Deut. 32:35. Ez. 12: 22,23,25,28. Am. 3:2
f Gen. 41.32. 2 Cor. 13:1,2.
'of the world, as well as those of lower degree,
seest thou? And I said, & I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is * toward the north.
14 Then the Lord said unto me, b Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.
15 For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, k and against all the cities of Judah.
16 And I will utter my judgments against them, touching all their wickedness, m who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.
g Ez. 11:3. 24.3-14.
1 4:12,28. 5:9,29.
Ez. 24:14.
Heb. from the face of the Joel 2:11. Matt. 23:35,36.
north.
h 4:6. 6:1,22. 10:22. 31:8. 46:20. 50:9,41. Is. 41:25. Ez. 1:4. † Heb. be opened. i 5:15. 6:22. 10:22,25, 25:9,28. 31,32.
j 39:3. 43:10. Is. 22:7. k 4:16. 9:11. 33:10. 34 22. 44:6. Deut. 28:49-53, Lam. 5:11.
m 2:13,17. 15:6. 16:11. 17:13. 19: 4. Deut. 28:20. 31:16,17. Josh. 24:20. 2 Kings 22:17. 2 Chr. 7:19. 15:2.34:25.
n. 7:9. 11:12,17., 44:17. Is. 65:3. Ez. 8:9-11. Hos. 11:2.
ο 10:8,9,15. 51:17. Is. 2:2. 37:19. 44:15-17. Hos. 8:6. Acts 7: 41.
And thus the very messages, which, if proper
'with that plainness and impartiality which the ly received, would have been the means of
'prophets used, requires a more than ordinary 'degree of courage. ... Deut . 31:8. Josh . 1:9. Ez . 2:6.3:9. Lowth .
V. 9, 10. This seems to have been an appearance of the personal Word, in human form, anticipating his incarnation. ( Notes , 4. John 1:18.) JEHOVAH put forth his hand, and by touching Jeremiah's mouth signified, that he would "give him a mouth and wisdom, which all his adversaries should not be able to gainsay or resist." ( Notes , 6-8. Is . 6:5-7. 51:15,16.) Thus he gave him commission, and authority over the nations, rule make
war against them, but to denounce the judge ments of God upon them; and these judgments would be so certainly executed, according to his word, that he might be said "to root them out, and throw them down, &c." (Note, 18:7-10.) He was also to declare the Lord's mercies and salvation to his people, which would be effectual to build and to plant them.
It may likewise mean, that the tendency of the prophet's ministry would be, to repress the idolatry and wickedness of the heathen, and to promote the knowledge of God and true religion among them: and the desolations to be wrought in some of those nations, which had most obstinately opposed the cause of God, would make way for the planting a and building of others in their places, who would be more favorable to it. ( Marg . Ref . z, a.)-"The prophets are said to do things, 'when they declare God's purpose of doing 'them.
Thus Ezekiel... was sent to "destroy 'the city;" ( Ez . 43:3.) that is to prophesy con'cerning its destruction. And Isaiah is com'manded to "make the heart of the Jews fat," that is, to foretel their obduration and increality. ( Is . 6:10.) Lowth. (Notes, Is . 6:9,10. Ez . 43:2-5.)-It may also be added, that God
'dulity.
their preservation, eventually accelerated and enhanced their punishment. ( Note , 2 Cor . 2: 15-17.)
V. 11, 12. This vision of a rod of the almondtree, which is more forward in the spring than any other tree, represented the speedy approach of the judgments predicted against the Jews, and other nations; and was an apt emblem of the prophet's mission, who lived to witness the accomplishment of more of his own predictions, than any other prophet did. An almond-tree . )11( קר from to hasten .
- hastening 12-'Not only the nature of 'the almond-tree, but the very sound of the 'Hebrew word that signifies it, denotes God's 'hastening to fulfil the prophecies which Jere'miah uttered by his directions.' Lowth .
V. 13, 14. By another emblem, the Lord shewed Jeremiah what was to be the grand subject of his ministry, namely, the destruction of his people by the king of Babylon, whose dominions lay northward of Judea. Jerusalem was represented to him, by a pot, or caldron, boiling, or pouring out steam, as placed over a large fire: for the city was all in commotion, and about to be emptied by that fiery indignation which distressed it. ( Note , Gen. 15:17.) The face of this seething pot was towards the north: the place under the caldron, which was opened to receive the fuel, by which the fire was kept up, faced the north; by which the Lord instructed the prophet, that out of the north an evil should break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. ( Notes , 4:5-7. Ez . 11:1-12. 24:1-13.)
V. 15. The king of Babylon would invade Judea, and encamp against Jerusalem, not alone, alone, but attended with all those kings and nations, nations who were his allies, or vassals, and
foresaw that the Jews and others would ag-who chiefly inhabited the countries still more
gravate their past guilt, and even bring down on themselves both spiritual and temporal judgments, by hardening their hearts against the warnings and exhortations of his prophets.
to the north of Judea than Chaldea was. ( Notes , 34:1-5, v . 1. 43:8--13, υ . 10. 50:41,42.) V. 16. Jeremiah would especially be employed, in solemnly denouncing, in the name
of God, that sentence against the Jews for their idolatries, which the northern nations would speedily execute. ( Notes , 4:11-13, v . 12. 2 Kings 25:6,7.)- Have forsaken me, &c.] Notes , 2:10-13.44:2-23. 2 Kings 17:7-11. 21:9-13. 23:26,27.
V. 17--19. ( Marg . Ref . p, q.) God commands the 'prophet instantly to undertake the 'office he designed him for, and to discharge it 'with courage and presence of mind.... The 'Hebrew word is the same in both parts of the 'sentence, which may literally be rendered thus, "Be not confounded at their faces, 'lest I confound thee before them." They 'shall no more be able to prevail against thee, 'than they could against an impregnable wall 'or fortress.' Lowth .
The Lord thus called on his servant to expect the most violent opposition, from the kings and all the most powerful persons in the land; that he might understand the nature of the service, and be prepared accordingly: ( Marg . Ref . u, x.) but such express promises of protection, support, and deliverance were added, as were fully sufficient for his encouragement. (Notes, 6-8. Matt. 10:16-18,23. 28:19,20, υ. 20. Luke 14:25-33. John 15:17-21. 16:31-33, v. 33.
Acts 18:911. 23:11. 2 Tim . 3:10--12. 4:16-18.) He seems, however, afterwards on some occasions, to have greatly lost sight both of the warnings and the promises. ( Notes , 15:19--21. 17:15--18. 20:10--18.)
Lest I , &c. (17) "Be not thou afraid of them, lest I should suffer thee to be crushed before them." There is no 'threat implied here.
The particle פן points out the danger which 'might possibly alarm the prophet's fears, that 'of being overborne by the opposition he was 'likely to meet with. He therefore receives 'special assurances of God's immediate pro'tection and support. Blayney .
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1-10.
The Lord raises up and qualifies proper in
his ministers. (Note, John 15:12-16.) general, young ing persons are not so proper for the discharge of this sacred I office, in important stations and difficult times, as their seniors; and a modest diffidence arising from conscious unworthiness and inability, is a more favorable token,
en, than self-confidence and a hasty eagerness to be employed. (Note, 1 Tim . 3:6.) Yet the Lord may please to call one, who is a child in years and experience, and apparently of inferior endowments: in this case he will surely make it evident that it is his call; he will over-rule all objections, and remove all impediments; he will encourage his servant against dejection, as arising from the concurring influence of humility, and weakness of faith; and also against the fear of man: and he will bear him out in all to which he commissions him; he will "give him a mouth and wisdom, which all his adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist;" and will be with him in every work, in which he engages according to the instructions given him.--Whatever the wise men and politicians of the world may suppose or devise, the safety of kingdoms is decided, according to the purpose and word of God; and it greatly depends on the reception which is given to his faithful ministers.
When their labors are unsuccessful, and their "prayers return into their own bosom:" and when they are persecuted, injured, and driven away, nations ripen apace for judgments "to root up and destroy" them.
But when they are protected and prospered, when their prayers are answered, and the number of true believers is greatly increased; there will be more and more, by their prayers, examples, and exertions, to check the progress of impiety and iniquity; and thus faithful ministers are useful "to build, and to plant;" and to prolong the external prosperity of the community, as well as to promote the salvation of souls.
V. 11-19.
If we would speak in the name of God with propriety, decision, holy fortitude, and meek
struments for his work, in every age and cir-ness, we must observe attentively his word
cumstance of his Church: and when their labors fail to reform degenerate nations, they prove useful to individuals, and leave others without excuse.--He, who formed us in the womb, knew before-hand for what services or purposes he intended us: and if we desire to serve him, he will qualify us for all which he has for us to do or suffer in this world, and carry us through it. But except he "sanctify" us by his new creating Spirit, we shall neither be fit for his holy service on earth, nor his holy happiness in heaven. This is a most invaluable mercy, whenever it is vouchsafed; but the earlier in life, the happier for us and for others: and as the Lord sometimes sanctifies even infants, parents may be encouraged to pray for this blessing on their offspring, even from their conception in the womb.--He, who gives grace, can alone efficaciously ordain men to be
and works, and study his providence as well as his precepts; this will bring us acquainted with "the signs of the times," and direct our labors and prayers: (1 Chr . 12:32. -Note , Matt . 16-1-4.) and though our services are all imperfect and defiled; yet God will graciously shew his approbation of all which we do well, according to our measure: and we should thus candidly accept of the well-meant services of each other. The destruction of the wicked, and the salvation of the righteous, are ripening apace: in both respects the Lord will "hasten his word to perform it." ( Notes , Rom. 13:11 -14, v . 11,12. 2 Pet . 2:1-3, v . 3.) This ministers must boldly declare, according to all which God commands them. They should therefore gird up their loins, and without delay address themselves to their work: they ought to expect enmity and opposition from