CHAP. XI. V. 2—8. The directions to the prophet are here given in the plural number, “ Hear, ye, &c 3” to Jeremiah as one of: many, who had been charged with the Same message : and they refer to the national covenant made with Israel at mount Sinai; and renewed just before the people took possession of the promised land. (Notes, Ex. xix, xxiv. Deut, xxvii. xxviii. xxix.) This was the charter
" of all Israel’s privileges, as long as they were obedient, according to the terms of it. But idolatry and apostacy from God, when general, and when committed, or connived at, by .publick authority,- forfeited the covenant. The prophet
" was therefore sent to remind the people of the curses de-.
nounced in the Jaw against the rebellious ; and to shew, that the continuance of the benefits covenanted to them, when they were delivered from Egyptian bondage, depended on their obedience. Whilst the Lord charged him with this message, and mentioned the good land given them, Jere-thiah answered and said ‘“* Amen, So be it, O Lorp;”’ as expressing his acquiescence in this reasonable requirement; and the justice of the punishment denounced against the disobedient: (Notes, Deut. xxvii. 15—26:) and also his
~ hearty desire, that the people might return to obedience,
and be continued in the possession of their privileges. He was then ordered to proclaim the covenant very publickly ; to shew the. people how their fathers had broken it; to pre-
@
CHAPTER XI.
‘cense unto Baal. .| 20. § Heb. evil.
their ear, but walked every one in the! 0% subbomnes t imagination of their evil heart : *there-? £7, 2%2% fore I will-bring upon them all the words “yy of this covenant which I commanded 2xi"So $s:
Josh. xxiii. 18
them to do: but they did them, not. <6, Ez. xX, Q And the Lorp said unto me, °Aov.’si. vi. 1,
conspiracy is found among the men of as-aty Hos. vi Judah, and among the inhabitants of vi. 2 s. Zep. Jerusalem. aa :
10 They are "turned back to ‘the 24.34%
p iii. 10. 1 Sam.
iniquities of their forefathers, which re-? xv. ii. sen.
xxxiv, 30 —~ 33. Hos. vi. 4. Viis
fused to hear my words; and they went fos, vi, after other gods to serve them ‘ thea snug. t. 17: 19.
e XRVIIU. G-as
house of Israel], and the house of Judah 10, 7,88, Be, have broken my covenant which I made 4 acs‘i. 51, with their fathers. petal dices
11 Therefore thus saith the Lorp, 2%: |b, pest. Behold, ‘I will bring evil upon them, 37°,2-%,#: ‘ which they shall not be able to tHevdi.s”
vi. 19. Xi
tescape ; and though “they shall cry’ s"15-‘nuiii. te: unto me, I will not hearken unto them. 31.
12 Then shall the cities of Judah and, « Hs. vii $s inhabitants of Jerusalem *go, and cry =x,1- 1 xiv.
18 Am. ii.
unto the gods unto whom they offer in- 19 ix.
cense: but they shall not save. them at $./%;, 43>
t Heb. go forth of. U XIV, 12. Pe. XVili. 41, IxVie
18. Prov. i. 28. Ez
ee. = ie
all in the time of their § trouble. 13 For according to the number o thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and vii, is, Mic.
° 4. Zech. vil. 1S. according to the number of the streets of Lute xii. o«—
Jerusalem have ye set up ‘altars to that See on il. eo
shameful thing, even altars to burn in- Det, xxi. 57,
gChr. xxviii,
22, 23. I ° | e y ii. 28. itt, 1,2. Deut. xxxii. 16,17. @ pine cat. 4, 5. 13. "in ite
8. Hos, xii, 11. =. Z xix, 5. xxxil. 95. 2 Kings xxi.¢, 5 | Heb. shame. Hos. ix. 10. .
dict the speedy approach of the calamities threatened in it ; and to charge the whole nation with having conspired together to forsake God; and give themselves up to idolatry.
the renewal of the covenant, lately made during the reign of Josiah. (Marg. Ref. Notes, 2 Kings xxiii. 1— 3. 2 Chr. XXXiV. 29—93-) ‘ The use of an iron furnace is to melt ‘and purify metals, and it is an apt representation of sore ‘ afflictions.’ (Lowth.) (Note, Deut. iv. 20. Marg. Ref.)
V.9, 10. (Notes, Deut. xxix. 10—-15.) ‘They made ‘ some steps towards a reformation in the time-of Josiah ; ‘ but now they have conspired together to return back to ‘their former idolatries.’ (Lowth.) (Notes, Ez. xxii. 25 —30.
V. : 1,12. (Marg. Ref.) ‘1 will not hearken to them, ‘ because they will not pray with true faith and repentance; ‘ but for the smart and grief which they feel.’—So that, not directly receiving a favourable answer from God, they again turned to their idols and sought help from thems; as Saul, when God did not answer him, consulted the witch: and with similar success. (Notes, fudg. x. 10—16. 1 Sam. XXVili, 3—25. 1 Chr. X- 13. 14.) 7
V. 13. (Marg. Ref. Notes, 1. 26-—33. Hes. xii. 10— 14.) * Bosheth, shame, was a nick-name for Baal. So ‘ Jerubbaal is called Jerub-besheth, (e Sam. xi. 21.')
(Lowth.) (Notes, Fudg. vi. gt, 32.) I9Ma
B.C. 606. -
\
$8. Judg. x. 14. ‘—Some think that the prophet also reminded the people of -
i
a See on vii. 18.—° ° i Wi. xv. 1. my, house. Luke
e Cc it. 3. iil. 14, Xi. 1.30, $1 xxv planted thee, +hath
- Ve 14.
B.C. 606.
- 14 Therefore *pray not thou for this i. 12 people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for
_1 John v.' 16.
b sve on 11s: them: .> for I will not hear them in the
i. 18. Hos.
oi evitn. tine that they ery unto me for their ¢ Heb. What is to @ trouble.
XIV.
my beloved in
Vill. Qe, Greek.
7. Hes. ii. 1.1m mine house, ° seeing she hath wrought
aiie-viv 7-11. lewdness with many, and ‘the holy flesh xv. 1 Ps. }. 16., : Prov. xv.8.x.i. ig passed from thee? + when thou ® doest
ei evil, then thou rejoicest.
ealico: Re: 16 The Lorp called thy name, "A f Hag. -'* oreen olive-tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: + Or ve "1 with the noise of a great tumult he hath t yo sxui. to. kindled fire upon it, and the branches -of Jara, ‘a it are broken. ' 17 For the Lorp of hosts, * that es | ‘pronounced evil xx. 47, 4: Matt. ayainst thee, for the evil of the house of
x ve on ii, ).4erael and of the house of Judah, which
xi, We Xxiv. 6.
xu io-xiv, «they ‘have done against themselves, to g Sam. \.1. 10 ;
Fal 2. ins. provoke me to anger in offering incense "a. . 3. V. In 3. Ee. xvi. UNTO Baal,
xi. 15,-~—24 i Ps ‘Ixxx. 16. Is
1Sec on 1 xvi = 1.8 @Y And ™the Lorp hath given me ee 8. 7
xi. Knowledge of it, and I know it: then
13. 10. XXXV. 17. xxxvt.7 Ni Ze m ig, } Sam. Xxil.
thou shewedst me their doings.
a0. Matt. iz. 13. n-Prov. vii. 22. Is. liii.7.
(Nots, vii. 16. xiv. to—12. Ez. xiv, 19—21. 1 Fohn v..16—18. Marg. Ref.)
V. 15. God had always treated Israel as his beloved, and had still mercy in reserve for the nation. (Votes, iti.
‘1—9. Hos. 11. 1—7. 111. 1—3.) He had espoused them by
the Sinai-covenant: and they vainly deemed themselves his
favourite people, and still came to his temple.’ But what had the spouse to do in the house of her husband, after all her shameless adulteries? She was now about to be divorced, and turned out of doors, The Jews would soon be driven from the city-and temple: the holy flesh of their sacrifices, which was burned upon the altar, or feasted on mn the courts of the Lord, would cease from among them:
' (Note, Hag. ii, 1o—14. Marg. Ref :) for God abhorred their
oblations, seeing they rejoiced in iniquity. Or, when thou art wicked, ‘ shalt thou rejoice ?”
~ V. 16. (Notes, Rom. xi. 16—24.) The Lord had planted
-Israel in Canaan, a3 a good olive-tree in a rich soil ; he had
made the nation very prosperous, and afforded them every advantage for fruitfulness, (Notes, i1. 20, 21. Is. Vv. 1—7 ) Once they were fruitful; and-he called the nation ‘*agreen ** olive-tree, fair and of goodly fruit, &c.” But they were now so degenerated, that he was determined to consume them, as with fire, by means of the tumultuous and furious Chaldean invaders. (Notes, Ez. xv. Matt. iii. 7—10.)
- V.17. (Marg. Ref.) Against, &c. The evils which
the Jews did, in sinning against God, proved eventually to
be committed ‘against themselves ;” as the self-murderer destroys himself, soul and body, by breaking God’s commandment. |
_ 'V. 18——23.. Whilst the prophet was earnestly seeking the good of his people, a conspiracy was formed against his life. His brethren, the priests, of his own city Anathoth, were the ringleaders in this combination. .They -ould not
~-
JEREMIAH. -
15 + What hath ° my beloved ° to.do
19 But "I was like a lamb, or an ox
that is brought to the slaughter; ° aud: [o xvi. ts. 2. to knew not that they had devised devices | 3%, ssa. against me, sayiny, Let us destroy § the, kay ue’ sam tree with the fruit thereof, ? and let us, m™Ret,, cut him. off 9 from the land of the living, te os. oe
xxviii. t%. 4
‘ that his name may be no more remem * Fs. x«ri.1s. ie
bered. eee a 20 But, O Lorn of hosts, *that & Prov. = 7
judgest righteously, ‘that triest the reins zxxvli, Ls Nahe
‘and the heart, “let me see thy vengeance® 3, '\,, 92
on them: for unto thee haveI-* revealed <<j";,9 4 my cause.. . me oe
21 Therefore thus saith the Lorp, of sami rent the men of Anathoth, * that seek thy life, w xx. ts. xrt r, saying, * Prophesy not in the name of the eT, fr. Me Lorp, that * thou die not by our hand s . | =¥i @.
22 Therefore thus saith the Lorp of Job, it Be hosts, Behold, I will ! punish them: ’the j,72) 1 Pal.
young men shall die by the sword; theily vis. 2 = sons and their daughters shalt die by “xu. "Spon famine. ‘sh. ao
23 And there shall be ‘no remnant of sie Mics is of Anathoth, even “the year of ‘their $5.20, 0. eal visitation.. “Vil. Si 62. ¥ Heb, visit upon. b ix. 21. xviii. @1. @ Chr. xxxvi. 17. Lam.ii.@l. 1 Thes. il. 15, : 16. c 19. xliv. 27, Is. xiv. 9g—22. dV. 9. 29. Vili. 12. xxiii. J@. xlvi. Qi. xivill, 44. 1 O76
Hos. ix. 7. Mic. vii. 4. Luke xix. 44.
endure his faithful warnings and reproofs: they hated * the .
‘© man and his communications,’ and were.determined either to silence or to slay him; to ‘* destroy the tree and its fruit,” that he and his predictions might be forgotten together. But, before they had brought their matters to bear; the Lord discovered their devices to his prophet, and probably directed him how to frustrate them. Upon this he spake, as one in amazement: he had done nothing to merit this
B.¢. 508.
34—~—-36.' -
them: for I will bring evil upon the men 22x. 1 xevelit
treatment from them; and had never suspected them, any |
more than the lamb, or ox, suspects danger when led to the slaughter. He then appeals for his innocence to. God, who knoweth what passes in the inmost recesses of the heart; and refers his cause to him; denoancing vengeance on his persecutors, root and: branch; so that no remnant should be left of them in the approaching season of visitation. (Noles, xi. 5,6. xv. 10-21. xvii. 28—23. xx. 10—18. Marg. Ref.}—The words rendered, ‘Let me “see thy vengeance on them,” are literally, ‘* I shall-see ‘thy vengeance on them:” ‘I foresee it and predict it, ‘so that they will ruin themselves in seeking my ruin.’— This is one out of very many instances, in which, I apprehend, an undue regard to the Septuagint has induced our venerable translators, needlessly to introduce the. sacred writers, aS Uttering wprecations, rather than predictions, against their persccutors, It cannot be denied, that their
predictions sometimes must be rendered as imprecations ¢ .
but this should not be done, when the words may literally be otherwise translated. _—
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Not only did the covenant of works, and Israel’s national-covenant, denounce curses on those who obeyed not; (Note, Ex, xix. §;) but the very Gospel threatens even severer,
' , thus, obey !
B.C. 606.
a a CHAP. XII.
Ihe prophet ‘pleads. with God concerning . the prosperity of the wicked ; appeals to him for his integrity ; and prays that they, for whose sins the land was visited, might be selected for punishment, 1—A. God reproves his impatience, -warns him
to expect heavier trials, describes the wickedness of the people, and denounces sentence against them, 5—13. A prophecy of heavy judgménts on the oppressors of the Jews, who would be restored to their own land; and of the calling of the Gentiles; the privileges of the obedient, and the destruction of exlv. 17 ‘Dan, the disobedient, 14—17.
3. Home ti.'s* PD IGHTEOUS art thou, O. Lorp * Or, reason the when I plead with thee: yet let
case. with thee
Job xi 3. Iss me * talk with thee of thy judgfnents :
vengeance on these who refuse obedience to the divine Redeemer: so that no man can be saved, who does not obey
the command of God to repent, to believe in Christ, to se- _
arate from sin and the world, to deny himéelf, and to ‘* walk in newness of life.” Indeed it is absurd to suppose,
- that a God of unchangeable holiness should, under any dispensation, authorize rebellion and ingratitude, Still he earnestly protests to all men, saying, ‘*Obey my voice;” and commands his ministers most publickly to make known his words; and especially to charge ‘ al] that name the name * of Christ to depart from iniquity.” But alas! how few do In general.men cry, ** Lord, Lord, but do not *‘ the things, which he says.” They hearken to his ministers, whilst they speak of doctrines, promises, and privi-
‘ Teges: but when self-denying duties are mentioned, they - will not,‘ incline their ear, but walk every man in the ima-
‘* gination of his evil heart.” And professed christians in general seem to liave conspired together to run down strict holy walking with God; to return back to the iniquities of their heathen ancestors ; and to copy after those, who have refused to hear the commandments of God __ But, the law 1s not written in the hearts of such men; and it is certain, that their sins are not forgiven: and the curses of the Bible belong to them, and nothing else. (Note, Fer. xxxi. 33, 34.) Evil is coming upon them, which they cannot escape: if they now remain impenitent, their extorted cries for mercy will at last be disregarded; and they will be left to seek help from their idolized lusts and possessions: their
shameful practices will be exposed; and they will find, that .
even the prayers of despised ministers for their conversion, having returned into their own bosom, will only aggravate thar condemnation.—They may glory in their relation to God, as his “ beloved,” and presume that all the privileges of his covenant.are their own: but whilst they “ rejoice in ** iniquity,” they profane his ordinances here, and have nothing to do in his holy habitation in heaven. For when the olive-trees and fig-trees, that have been planted in this vineyard, remain anfeaitful’ though they be luxuriant in foliage and of promising appearance; yet they shall surely be cut down, and cast into the fire. (Note, Luke xiii. 6—
9-)—But they, who sonar thus to address presumptuous |
CHAPTER XI.’ Wherefore doth the way of the wicked bv. a9. Job xii . Ixxiis. 3, &e. that ‘deal very treacherously ?. xc 7. xciv. ‘2 Thou “hast planted them; yea, ¥#.,'- 4-Mal yea,-they bring forth fruit: thou arta See%nx. 7.— ‘near in their mouth, and far from their sic" xix. iow t Heb. 0 on. 8 But thou, O Lorp, ' knowest me 2 aati 1. a thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart, 6 T + toward thee: ® pull them out like sheep #5, 5,1 chr for the slaughter, and prepare them: for 3, :44"" 1.35.
John kx A How ‘long shall the land mourn, 9 17°" “ and * the herbs of every field wither, forg wit.’t. xt. the wickedness of them that dwell there- xivii. isi. a7: birds ; because they said, "He sh Gite lo ae see our last.end. professors of religion, must expect to be hated for their faithfulness; how much soever they weep over and pray Though they be hanmless and gentle asthe lamb, and patient and laborious as the ox, and devoid of guile and SUSPICION, ‘their works sake:”) for such men as crucified the holy Lamb of God, will always abhor those who rebuke and warn
BR. B. C. 606. prosper ? wherefore are all they ‘happy. Ps. sowit - Prov. i. S32. they have taken root: they t grow ;° fiat" "nds
510. xix. 10— reins. xxxili. 31. Matt. v t.i.
90. 2 Kings xvii. 3. xxvi. 1. "the day of slaughter. : t Or, with. ° l . « 4. . , in? ‘the beasts are consumed, - and thes x. 19. Is. xliv. Ps. cvil. 34 1 iv. 25. vii. 26. Hos. iv. 3, Hab. iii. 17, Rom. viii. 22. mv. 19 $1. vo vies, for them, or spend themselves in laboyring for their good. they will be persecuted, (instead ‘‘ of highly esteemed, for them as he did: and they would put them to death also, if.they had it in their power, and if they could no otherwise .
sence them. For they want to destroy their reprovers; that they may no more remember, or be tormented by, their faithful testimony. (Note, Rev. xi. 7—12.) But the Lord’ knoweth, and can protect, his servants against -all the de. vices of persecutors : and he will certainly plead their cause,
j and exccute vengeance on their enemies.—In every age of
the church, ungodly priests have been ringleaders in this. diabolical work ; ‘*a man’s foes are often those of his own ‘* household ;”’ and a prophet will be sure to be most without honour in his own country, (Node, Matt. xiii. 54—58. ) —When the Lord, by any means, discovers to us the enmity and devices of our opposers ; we shall find it a peculiar comfort to be able to appeal to him, as the heart-searching and righteous Judge, that. we suffer for well doing, and not for evil doing: and we should reveal our cause, and refer the whole matter to him. We should, however, also look well to our spirits, that we ‘‘ be not overcome with evil ;” but that, by patient continuance in praying for our enemies,” and shewing them kindness, we may, if possible, ‘* overcome “ evil with good.” (Note, Rom. xii. 17—21.)
° NOTES. | :
CHAP: XII. V.1—4. The prophet’s discomiposure,
on account of the conspiracy formed against him, led him into a perplexity about the died eat ot the ringleadcrs in. iniquity, among whom he probably numbcred the men of Anathoth as the principal. He also thought that judgments’ inflicted on the ringleaders might prevent the ruin of the nation: and he resolved 'to pour out his heart befare God on this subject. He allowed, that the Lord was righteous: in his most mysterious dispensations: yet he intreated him,
B. C. 606.
n Prov. fii, Ife
5. If * thou ‘hast run with ‘the-foot-x. 19. 1. «gf sin the land of peace, wherein thou ichr. xii, trustedst they wearied thee, then how qi. xi.si:xx. Wilt thou do ? in the dwelling of Jordan ? jo Gen rv ~.6 For even ‘thy brethren, and the x, unt” soshouse of thy father, even they have dealt
31. Mic.. vii. 5, ; ° ‘ - ¢ ¢. Mat. x. 91. treacherously with thee: ‘yea, they * have
Mark xiii.
jonn vii. Called -a multitude after thee: believe
rs Is. xxxi 4
rie a them not, *though they speak t+ fair
7 & I thave forsaken mine house, I
xvi. 35. Mat have left mine heritage; "I have given a ace :-t the dearly beloved of my soul into the ii. 6. Hos. ix. 15.
Joel ii. 17 fit hand of her-enemies. "kg uz. vi. § Mine ‘heritage is unto me as a lion
io. ‘in the forest; it § crieth out against me: -2 Heh. the love of. | . -§ Or, yelleth. Hep.* therefore have I hated it. giveth out his < : R “_ “volcect. 11 9G Mine: ‘heritage is unto me as a
x Hos. ix. 8 ll speckled -bird, ¥ the birds round about xi. 8. { Or, a bird having talons. yii, 15. @ Kings xxiv. 2, Bz. xvi. $6, $7. xxiii.
|
2¢—~95. Rev. xvii. 16.
to allow him to ‘ expostulote with him of judgments ;”’ (i.
16. iv.12, Heb, ;) shew him the reasons of his conduct; and why he suffered such treacherous men, as cloked their inward iniquitous devices with a profession of piety, to ‘prosper in their families, circumstances, and undertakings. (Notes, Lev, xxvi. 3, 4. Ps. xxxvii. 1, 2.
Ixxiil. 1—28.) He could with coobacnce appeal to the heart-searching God, ‘that he acted uprightly ; and that he was hated and perse- -cuted for his sake: and-he therefore prayed that these principal si abet might ‘be singled out for punishment, as sheep are for the slaughter; that a check being thus given --to the growth of wickedness, and a sacrifice as it were made ‘to divine justice, the drought under which the land laboured might be terminated.—These presumptuous criminals had ‘said, that the prophet ‘ should not see their last end: that is, they were confident that the judgments which he pre- -dicted would not be executed: and they had determined to ‘compass his death, and thus prevent him from seeing, whe- ‘ther they would or not.— God will never bring that de- ‘struction upon us, with which Jeremiah threatens us.’ (Lowth.) (Notes, Ps. xciv. 1—9.)—Neéear, &c. (3-) (Notes, ds. xxix. 19—16.
Matt. xv. 7—9.) .
V. 5,6. The Lord seems-here gently to reprove the prophet’s impatience. The opposition of the men of Ana-thoth was not so formidable, as what he must expect to encounter froin the kings and rulers of. Judah; and the present calamities of the nation were trivial, compared with the approaching desolations: If then he was so disconcerted by . these lighter trials, how would he endure more severe afflictions ? If he was so wearied with running with footmen, or contending with his equals; how would he be dis-ages when required to run with horsemen, or execute
is office in defiance of those in authornty? If he could scarcely endure, when the land, (in which he too confidently had expected safety,) remained in peace ; what would he do, when hostile invasions would bear down all before them, like the overflowing waters of Jordan? (Notes, xlix.19, aa. Josh. iii,15-) And as his nearest relations, even such as were néarer to him, than the rest-of the men of Anathoth,
| 2
JEREMIAH.
‘no man ‘layeth z¢+o heart. _
B.C, Col. are against her, * come-ye, assemble all = #39, "4 the beasts of the field, * come to devour. 10 Many * pastors ‘have destroyed’ t's.” b : c d d a See on vi. 3.—= my vineyard, they “have trodden my ‘xv. 's. xan portion under foot, they have made my > Ps-tsx. ese, t pleasant portion a desolate wilderness, PPA c ls. xilli. os. laffi. 11 They have “made it desolate, and 1% tam. 1 10. being desolate ‘it mourneth unto. me;, Hibs
of the whole land is made desolate, because ii", ““ *
| Yeates nine 12 The ‘spoilers are come upon all xv. tsi tc. high places through the wilderness: for, Zech vi 5 = ‘the sword of the Lorp shall devour, xii, 96 ina: : from the one end of the land even to thes Se, tv. 1— other end of the land: -‘no flesh shall }zy.2-==. y.
have peace. &. Lev. xxv $3. 13 They have sown wheat, but shall ys. "34% 7
shall be ashamed of your revenues, be- , sRer, ge cause of the fierce anger of the Lorn. Dect, xxvii
i. 6. ti. 16,17. k See on iii. 29—95, Is, xxx. 1—6. xxxi, 1—S. lv. @ Hab, ii. 18. Rom vi, ¢i,
and whom he probably supposed to be unconcerned in the, conspiracy, would fiercely combine against him, and excite the multitude to assault hime: so. he must expect opposition from every quarter, and pecbars for it: and he ought not to trust even those who spake most friendly to him. (Marg. Ref. Notes, Mic. vii. 5—7. Matt. x. 34—36.) _ V. 7—g9. The Lord next condescended to explaixt his intentions, and the reasons of his conduct, to his discouraged. servant.
He was determined to forsake his temple, and to give up his heritage, (which -he had so Jong treated with peculiar hindaceay into the hands of his enemies. (Notes, | x. 16, xi. 15.) For his people were become outrageous and: rapacious as lions; they. openly quarrelled with his appointe ments and requirements; and because they could not reach Him, they shewed their enmity by murdering his prophets. This was the general character of the nation, and therefore the Lord abhorred them.
Nay, they were become asa speckled bird : they had collected together all the abominations of the surrounding countries ; and combined them, together with the worship of JEHOVAH, into one motley mix. ture of idolatry and superstition. Therefore the nations should be let loose against them, to punish them for borrowing their idolatries; and, as birds of prey, or wild beasts to devour them. (Marg. Ref.)—-The word, rendered ** speckled,”’ is of uncertain signification ; occurring only in this place. It is derived from a root, which signifies ¢o colour, or, to paint in a variegated manner.
A bird seems evidently meant, by the context. The margin renders it ‘ having talons.” ae V. 10—13. (Notes, vi. 2, 3. Is. v. 1-7.) The captains of Nebuchadnezzar’s army were the many pastors here intended: they came, as shepherds with their flocks, to des. vour and eee down Judah and Jerusalem; Sia Lord’s vineyard, the hedge of which he had broken down;) and when this pleasant postion should be desvlated, it would mourn unto him; the very ruins of the city and temple would, as it were, mournfu 4 cry for redress; and the captive Jews would repent of their sins, and seék deliverance,
| But till these judgments were actually inflicted, none of the
Cd
| B.C. 606. - . , CHAPTER XIL | B. €..606; | en ss 14 & Thus saith the Lorp ‘against, nam? 2—all mine evil neighbours, ™that touch
< ie ee the inheritance which I have caused my.| 16 And it shall come to pass, if they! 5 ee ™.ii. $. xlix. 1,
s. cv. 18. Ob. people Israel to inherit; Behold, *I will 10-16. Zech. i:
— . Mive.ai3-pluck them out of their land, ° and pluck b xiv —i, 22. out the house of Judah from among my them. - . pests = S; 15 And it: shall come to pass, ” after Boo 82 that I have plucked them out I will re-a. xexvi. 1,turn, and have compassion on them, and
Xxxix. 27, 28. Hos.i. 11. Am. ix. 34, 15. Zeph. iii, 19, 20. Zech. x. 6—12. p xiviii.
47. xlix. 6.39. Is. xxiit. #7, 18. : ’. RAxvV, © iil. t@. xxxii. 37.
utterly * pluck up and destroy that nation, * gee saith the Lorp. xiv. 16 — 196! 2 Thes. i. 8. 1 Pet. ii. 6—8. X 14—17. xviii. 7. xxxi. 28. EZ. xix. 12. Dan. vii. 48. Xi.4e- | TT
and ‘to treasure wp wrath for themselves,” should not be: called happy. For if they’be ‘ planted, and take root, and ‘* bear fruit,’’ it is unto death and condemnation. But it is not easy, however, in trying circumstances, to avoid every degree of impatience; even when the Lord himself may safely be appealed to for our pas dak and when the hypocrisy of our opponents is most evident.
Our grief for the prevalence of iniquity is often leavened-with peevishness, on account of the trials which it occasions us: and our zeal for the honour of God, our abhorrence of sin, and even our love to the church and nation to which we belong, are often mingled with an undue regard to our own credit, and bitterness against our opposers.
We ought then on such. occasions, to watch our hearts, and to bridle our tongues, that we may not speak or act unadvisedly, and in our own spirit.—Should the Lord see any of .us, in this our favoured day, fretful or desponding under our trifling difficulties, he might, sharply and properly, reprove us, as he did his ser- ‘vant of old: we should therefore judge ourselves; and consider how we should behave, if, instead of our light trials, we were called to sufferings like those of the prophets,. apostles, and martyrs. of other-ages :- thus our minds would be quieted in submission and gratitude..
We ought not,. however, to trust in our land of peace, for we know not what overwhelming calamities await. us; and we are sure,. that if faithful in the cause of truth and holiness, the wicked, though nearly related, will hate us, and we must: expect treachery cloked with fair words: we should then prepare for trials, and count our cost; and we may well question. our own faithfulness, if all go smoothly with us in this evil . world.
But, none will be so inveterate against the faithful servant of God, as those who presume themselves to be his.. chief favourites, merely because they have enjoyed and perverted peculiar advantages. Such men count every privi-- lege their own, by a title which nothing can forfeit; and as. they are ready to complain of the Lord, when he thwarts them in providence; so they are enraged at his ministers when they reprove them from his word.
They.often desire to be deemed the lambs of his fold; but their ungoverned tempers and rapacity shew them. to be more. like. furious. lions devouring the prey: and, instead of the purity and sime. plicity of the dove, they present to the view an heterogene. ous mixture of religion and the world, with its-vain fashions, maxims, puisuits, and pollutions. .
Thus many churches become like speckled ‘birds, mixing: together -religion and: vain superstition: attempting.to serve.God-and Mammon, . and to form.a coalition between light and‘darkness, Christ and Belial. (Note, 2 Cor. vi. 14. 18: P.O. 11-28.) But this the Lord abhors: and for-such degeneracy he often: leaves them to be punished by thé very persons, whose vices.
people would lay either the denunciations, or any preceding corrections, to heart. (Note, Js. xlii. 22—95.) The
Chaldean spoilers therefore would come through the wilderness, to destroy Jerusalem, and all their fortified places;
_ forthe Lord would use them as his sword to destroy the
whole land, and to take away peace from every inhabitant’:
all the methods, which could be taken for relief, though
= ‘Taborious and expensive, would resemble the sowing of
| wheat and the reaping of thorns or thistles: and they would; be ashamed, when they saw the wretched effects of all their devices and, efforts. (Marg. Ref.)
V. 14—17. The Jews had deserved their calamities from God: but the neighbouring nations injuriously invaded and spoiled them, out of hatred to JeHovAH, and his worship ; and because they coveted the land which he had allotted his people: and therefore he would plead their
cause against his evil neighbours; and both execute judg- | “ments on them, and re-instate Judah in his own land. (Marg. Ref. Notes, xxv. xlviii—li.)—Yet he would after- : wards shew mercy to those nations, and give them the quiet Possession of the countries, which he had assigned them:- nay, he meant to admit them into his church, and to all.the privileges of his people; when they were disposed to learn
is true religion, as they had formerly taught the Israelites
their idolatries. (Note, iv. 2.)—This evidently implies a prediction ofthe incorporation of the Jews and Gentiles in
the Christian church; (Notes, Eph. ii. 12--23 ;) and looks forward to those times, when all Israel shall be restored, _
and **the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in ;” and when
- __ all nations will be destroyed, which persist in their Opposition to the cause of Christ. (Notes, Is. Ix. 10—14. Zech, X- 512. xiv. 12—21, Rev, xix. 11—21.)—* Those that
* will not have God and Christ to reign over them, shall in * the end be punished with everlasting destruction,’ (Lowth.)
‘PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
f The Lord allows his people to spread their perplexities {Before him, and humbly to plead with him-concerning his ; Judgments: but he expects it to be always taken for grant.
ed, that ‘‘ he is righteous in all bis ways, and holy in all his * works.’’—The success of the wicked, and especially that of persecutors and deceivers, who oppose the cause of God; terrify or seduce multitudes into impiety, infidelity, or hypocrisy; and bring down judgments on churches and nations, is very embarrassing to the pious mind. Yet the Lord never permits such men to prosper; except it be for the salutary trial or correction at his people; or for just judgments on those who hate his truths and precepts: and they, who are spared to be executioners of wrath on others,
B.C. 606.
CHAP. XIII. -
®
The prophet, by-the'sign of a linen girdle,
Jirst-worn by him, and then.buried and spoiled near Euphrates; and by the simile of bottles filled with wine, predicts the approuching captivity, and the miseries attending it, 114A. He calls the rulers and the people to re-peniance ; and mourns over their pride, and in the prospect of their calamities, 15—21. He expostulates with them, concerning their incorrigible obstinacy, , 22—27. $11. abet. nee. | HUS saith the Lorp unto me, * Go 1" & He “and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water. OG ez i, 2 SOI gota girdle, » according: to the jonn xiii. 6,2. word of the Lorp, and put, i¢ on my
— loins. 3 And the word’of the Lorp came unto me the second time, saying, sates A Take the girdle that thou hast got,. Ps. : bg : ° cxxavii, 1s Mic. Which is upon thy loins; and arise, ‘go
t ° e 7 e ° s d Bx. xxix. «2,tO Euphrates, and hide it there ina hole
43. xi.16. Matt
xxi.s—8. Jom Of the rock.
ii. S—8. Acts ee is
xvi. 19, 2: 15 So 1 went, and hid it by Euphrates
Heb, xi. 6. 17-4 as the Lorp commanded me. nn in and errors they have imitated.—All the efforts of sinners to escape misery, without repentance and “fruits meet for re- ‘‘ pentance,” will surely terminate in confusion; ‘ becaue ‘* of the fierce anger of the Lorn.” But if judgment begin at the house of God, let not the evii neighbours and persecutors of his church expect impunity. - (Noles, 1 Ped. iv. 17-19) Yet in wrath our God remembers mercy: he will assuredly return and compassionate his church; and all, who diligently learn his ways, and join themselves to his spiritual worshippers, shall be built up among them, even though they once were tempters of others to the vilest abominations: but inevitable destruction awaits all that persevere in disobedience.
May we then employ ourselves diligently in learning the ways of the Lord, and be thankful that poor gentiles may acceptably worship his name: Jet us endeavour in our several places, to lead others also to the knowledge of ‘the truth as it is in Jesus:” and may he speedily unite al] Israel, and all the Gentiles in ‘one fold ‘‘ under one Shepherd,” and ‘‘ destroy every enemy which ** continues to do evil in his sanctuary.”
= NOTES. . CHAP. XIII, V. 1—7. It is probable, that the girdle, which the. prophet was commanded to procure, was one of those which. were used as ornaments by the priests.at that time. He was directed to putit on without washing; ‘to ‘represent the Jews in their corrupt state of nature, when ‘they had nothing to recommend them to grace and favour. ‘ (Compare Ez. xvi. 4.’) {Lowtt.) Perhaps the prophet was required to wear the girdle for a considerable time with-
»
JEREMIAH. | 6 And itcame to pass after marry days, -, ; so
BC. Goth
that the Lorp said: unto me, ° Arise, go°*”"™** to Euphrates, and take the girdle frome, sv. 12, thence, which I commanded thee to hide >.'3",,%
there. / 7. ale 84 She 7 Then I went to Euphrates, and dig- fhiew.1i. ™
ged, and took the girdle from the.plate® fm:v.rs, ”
where I had hid it; and, behold, the "are seb gitdle was marred, ‘it was profitable for 7. 1-3, i.
nothing. | Be, xvi. $0. 36,- 8 Then the word of the Lorp came {sit?aem unto me, saying, 14. Jam. iv. 6.
9 Thus saith the Lorp, * After this"... "Nest manner will I mar "the pride of Judah, i zwit:’ 9. m. and ‘the great pride of Jerusalem. k vil ‘ee, a
10 This * evil people, which refuse =v. Hz to hear my words, ' which walk in-the 33, 6 Heb. xi. “imagination of their heart, and walk! th 2-4 after other gods, to serve them, and to frcug BP worship them, ™shall even be as this* S2’a "ary: girdle, which is good for nothing. x a
11 For as the girdle cleaveth to thems‘ 1—v. loins of a man, so have "I caused to cleave n Ex. iz. b a unto me the whole house of Israel, and 27. 16. smut. the whole house of Judah, saith the Lorn; . &™**-* easly that they might be unto me for a people, ° smi", Buia and ° for a name, and for a praise, and tov. t.P.
for a glory: ? but they would not hear. pee —
out washing, when it would cease to be ornamental, and even become offensive 3 asan emblem of the corrupt state: of Israel, the chosen people of God. (11.}—Many interpreters conclude that the subsequent transaction was only a
- Vision: but it is related as a fact; and it is not advisable,
without evident necessity, to sanction such a mode of ine terpretation, in opposition to (he obvious’ meaning of scrips ture. (Note, a) Nay, the selt-denying, laborious, ime plicit obedience of the prophet, in taking these journeys of several hundreds of miles each, was aptly suited to render his sign impressive; to shame the disobedience of the people, and to shew the excessive hardships, to which they would be exposed by the approaching captivity. (Note, Hes. i. 2, 3.
¥ 8—11. It is probable that the people were made acquainted with this sign, some time before it was expounded, and they were left to make their own observations on it: at length God instructed his servant to explain it to them. He had chosen Israel to be his covenanted people, and brought them near unto him by every external privilege, that they might be an honour and praise unto him: * That they might have the honour of being ‘called by my name; and that I might be glorified, by ‘their shewing forth my truth and praises to the world.’ (Lowth.) (Notes, xxxiit. 6—g. Ex. xix. 5, 6. Js. xlit.. 14—21, 1 Pet.ii. 8,9.) And this was the case whilst they adhered to his worship, and were obedient and prosperous. *_ But they gloried in their peculiar distinctions, and were very proud of them, and at the same time turned aside to atrocious and aggravated idolatry’ and iniquity. “Thus
_
_ evi. 7,8
B. C. 606.
12 @ Therefore thou shalt speak unto
them this word: Thus saith the Lorp
God_.of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled
carers ,, With wine: ‘and they shall say unto thee,
7m dx. s-Do we not certainly know that vay bottle shall be filled with wine?
9. xlix. 26. li. i bee Ixiii. 6. 13 Then shalt thou say unto them,
1g. ¢t air oli: xi viii.
1a. Jude “am Lhus, saith the Lorp, Behold, *I will ze, 08. Pe. feo. fill all the inhabitants of this land, even
Hep. am nan the kings that sit upon David's throne,
‘and the priests, and the prophets, and
all the inhabitants .ot Jerusalem, with .. drunkenness. 3
14 And 'I will dash them * one against
vii es oe 8 another, "even the fathers and the sons
+ He, fren nae together, saith the Lorp: *I will not
yi salt, Re. pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, Tf but
= 1s. xaviii, 146 destroy them.
* Side faa 15 &| Hear ye, Yand give ear; * be
not proud: @ for the Lorp hath spoken.
16 > Give glory to the Logp your God,
a ne "on vi. 2i.— an at Ez. ae
* xix. aoe TE xxvii. 11, Ez. x. Bt. ii. 4. 9-boeshe " vii. 19. 1 Sam. Vi. ame Ps.
they became a scandal instead of an honour to the Lord;
losing their comeliness, and becoming polluted like the un-washen girdle. Therefore he proposed to punish them by the Chaldeans, and to carry the remnant of them captives to Babylon. Then their ‘* great pride would be marred :” their temple would be destroyed and its worship caused to cease ; their city would be desolated, their prosperity ruined,
their numbers reduced ; and a poor ‘despised enslaved company alone would be left to go captives to Babylon, and
there to be worn out by oppressions, till they became like
the decayed girdle. (Note, Lam. v. 5—16.) But though this would ‘* mar their great pride,”’ it was not intended to ruin the nation, but to prepare them for future mercies. (Adarg. Ref.)
V.12—14.
The prophet was next ordered, in the name of the Lord, to assure the people, that ‘* every bottle should << be filled with wine.” ‘This seems to have been a proverbial expression, and applied in different ways; and the Lord forewarned him, that they would reply, in a mixture of contempt and indignation, ‘¢ Do we not certainly know ‘¢ that every bottle shall be filled with wine?”’ ‘ The hearers ‘ shall take this prophecy in great scorn, and say, What “ wonders are these that thou tellestus?: Asif we knew not, “ that the use of bottles is to be filled with wine! ‘Tell these ‘ things to children that understand nothing.’ (Bp.
Hail.) —Upon this he was ordered to explain his meaning; and to shew them, that as the bottle was fitted to hold the wince,,. so their sins had made them ‘* vessels of wrath, fitted for’’ the judgments of God: and that they should all be filled with them, till they were intoxicated and made furious, to accomplish each others destruction; like earthen bottles filled
with wine and dashed against each ‘other: (Notes, Xxili. 1, 2. :
9-12. xxv. 15-17. Ps, lxxvi. 8. Js. xlix. 24—26. li. 17 —2o0, Ez. vili. 17, 18. xxii. 25—27.)
V.15—17. These denunciations seem to have greatly exasperated the Jews: but the prophet endeavoured to ‘enforce his warnings, and soften their resentments, by a most pathetick exhortation. He intreated their patient and atten-