CHAP. XIV.
A terrible famine in Judah, 1-6. The prophet calls on God to deliver the people, though deeply guilty, for his own name's sake, 7-9. The Lord shews him their wickedness, and forbids him to pray for them, 10-12. The prophet charges the blame on the false prophets, and the Lord includes them also in the threatened vengeance, 13-16. The prophet is ordered to mourn over his people; and he perseveres in interceding for them, 17-22.
THE
pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.
4 Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.
5 Yea, the hind also calved in the
up.
death, and are often taken away in this life: and as ministers must give an account of the people committed to their charge; so must kings and rulers, of the nations which they were intrusted to govern, and of the good or mischief which they did with their authority. But what will sinners say, when they shall be delivered up to be punished by that enemy, whom they have long allowed to rule over them? Will not sorrows then seize on them, as on a woman in travail?-It is natural for pride to object, Wherefore are we to be thus punished?
But all such objections will be answered, when the Lord shall expose to the whole world the greatness of their iniquities. -It is a dreadful case when sinners become habituated to evil, even under the means of grace: their inability to good becomes the great aggravation of their guilt, and renders them obstinate and incorrigible in rebellion, and perfectly like Satan, the arch-apostate and rebel; and thus they are given over to final obduracy. Men should therefore be very careful not to contract habits of sin, and not to resist the convictions of their consciences.
Yet, though we cannot "change the Ethiopian's leopard's spots," our God can;
skin
and neither natural depravity,
est habits of iniquity, form any obstacle to the operations of his new-creating Spirit. We should therefore hope and endeavor to do good to those who are the most enslaved to inveterate habits of vice: uniting our efforts with constant and earnest prayers for a blessing on them. And if any poor slave of sin feels, that he could as soon change the course of nature, as conquer his headstrong lusts and inveterate habits, or learn to delight in doing good, let him not despair; "for the things that are impossible to man, are possible to God;" and he even now asks him, whether he will, or will not, "be made clean." Let him then without delay call for help to him who is almighty to save, and who "waiteth to be gracious," and he will say to him, "I will, be thou clean," and so his leprosy shall be cleansed. But if men hesitate, and procrastinate, and will not use the appointed means of cleansing;
grass.
6 And the wild asses did stand in the
high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; m their eyes did fail, because there
was no grass.
Or, cisterns. 2:13. 1 Kings 17.7. 2 Kings 18:31. Joel 1: 20. Am. 4:8.
f 2:26,27. 20:11. Ps. 40:14. 109: 29. Is. 45:16,17.
g 4. 2 Sam. 15.30. 19:4. Esth, 6:12.
h Lev. 26:19,20. Deut. 28:23, 24. 29:23. Joel 1:19,20.
i Joel 1:11,17.
k Job 39:1-1. Ps. 29:9. 12:24. Job 39:5,6.
m 1 Sam. 14:29. Lam. 4:17. 5: 17. Joel 1:18.
events referred to in this chapter, occurred about the end of Josiah's reign: but it is more likely, that all these prophecies were delivered at a later period, and nearer to the final desolations of the land; at least, after the open prevalence of idolatry, which followed the death of Josiah. The Hebrew Batzaroth' (reudered "dearth") 'signifies restraint ; that is, "when the heaven is shut up that there is no 'rain." ... Deut . 11:17. 1 Kings 8:35. Lowth . ( Marg .)
V.2-6. Some render this passage, in the future, as a prediction: but the prophet seems to speak of scenes, which he himself witnessed. But whether it be a narrative, or a prophecy; he has in these verses given a melancholy description of this calamity and its effects. Through the want of rain, and the consequent failure of the crops, the whole land of Judah mourned in deep distress. Those who went in and out, through the gates of the cities, languished for want of food; or the gates were unfrequented by those who had been used to bring in provisions. The people neglected their persons, and lay on the ground, squalid, meagre, and dejected, through want and misery: and the cry of Jerusalem went
plications for deliverance; for it is probable, that a day of fasting and humiliation was observed on the occasion. (Note, 10-12.) The very nobles were distressed for want of water, and sent their own children, as not caring to trust others in this emergency, to fetch it from the wells or cisterns; but none could be had: and they returned with empty vessels, ashamed, ed, and and covering their heads as mourners or penitents. ( Marg . Ref . g.) The husbandman either could not plow the parched ground, or they cultivated it in vain: so that they were ashamed of their confidence in their industry and knowledge of agriculture; and found themselves unable to support their families, or sustain their own lives. ( Notes , tes , Joel 1:11,17,18.) The very beasts shared the distress: the hinds forsook their young, (as it is usual with some animals in such circumstances,) not having any milk for them, through want of food for
misery and woe will be measured out to them themselves: and the wild asses gasped for
as their portion, for having forgotten God, trusted in falsehood, and multiplied their crimes against him.
NOTES.
CHAP. XIV. V. 1. Some think, that the VOL. IV.
the
breath, and looked like dragons, or large serpents, which in hot and dry seasons greedily inhale the cooling air on mountains, or unsheltered plains: and their eyes, keen in themselves, grew dim through [297
7TO LORD, "though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: P for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.
8. O the Hope of Israel, the Savior thereof sin time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a way-faring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?
9. Why shouldest thou be as a man astonished, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name;
n Is. 59:12. Hos. 5:5. 7:10.
o 20,21. Deut. 32:27. Josh. 7: 9. Ps. 25:11. 115:1. Ez. 20: 9,14,22. Dan. 9:18,19. Eph. 1:6,12.
p See on 2:19. 3.6. 5:6.-Ezra 9:6,7,15. Neh. 9:33,34. Dan. 9:5-16.
q 17:13. 50.7. Joel 3:16. Acts 28:20. 1 Tim. 1:1.
r.ls. 43:3,11. 45:15,21.
Ps. 9.9. 37:39,40. 46:1. 50:15. 91:15. 138:7. 2 Cor. 1:4,5.
their good. Deut. 23:14. Ps. 46:5. Is. 12:
6. Zech. 2:5.
Rev. 21:3.
2 Cor. 6:16.
* Heb. thy name is called upon us. 15:16. Is. 63:19. Dan. 9: 18,19. margins.
y 1 Sam. 12:22. Ps. 27:9. Heb. 15.5.
z See on 2:23,24,36, 3:1,2. 8:5. -Hos. 11:7.
a 2:25. Ps. 119:101.
b 6:20. Am. 5:22. Mal. 1:8- 13.
с 31:34. 44:21,22. 1 Sam. 15:2. 1 Kings 17:18. Ps. 109:14,15. Hos. 8:13. 9:9. Heb. 8:12.
d See on 7:16. 11:14. 15:1.- Ex. 32:39-34.
heat, hunger, and thirst. (Notes, Joel 1:17 -20.)
The gates ... are black , &c. (2) "They are 'in deep mourning ." By this passage we are 'to understand, that the persons who appear 'in public are dejected, and put on black, or 'mourning, on account of the national distress. Blayney. The ground is chapt . (4) "Is crum
bled to dust." Ibid .
12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt-offerings and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
[Practical Observations.]
13 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you tassured peace in this place.
14 Then the Lord said unto me, i The prophets prophesy lies in my name: k I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
15 Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.
e 11:11. Prov. 1:28. 28:9. Is. 1:15. 58:3. Ez. 8:18. Mic. 3. 4. Zech. 7:13.
f 6:20. 7:21,22. Prov. 15:8. 21: 27. Is. 1.11-15.
g See on 9.16.-15:2,3. 16:4. 21: 7-9. 24:10. 29:17,13. Ez. 5: 12-17, 14:21.
h See on 1:6. 4:10.
1 5:31. 6:14. 8:11. 23:17. 28:2- 5. Ez. 13:10-16,22. Mic. 3: 11. 2 Pet. 2:1.
Heb peace of truth.
¡j 23:25,26. 27:10,14. 28:13, 29:
21. 37:19. Is. 9:15. Zech. 13: 3. 1 Tim. 4:2.
k 23:14-16,21-32. 28:15. 29: 8,9,31. Is. 30:10,11. 2 Thes. 2:9-11.
127:9,10. 29:8,9,31. Ez. 12:24. 13:6,7,23. 21:29. Mic. 3:11. Zech. 10:2.
m 23:26. Is. 30:10.
n 5:12,13. 6:15. 8:12. 20:6. 23: 14,15. 28:15-17. 29:20,21,31, 32. 1 Kings 22:25. Ez. 14: 10. Am. 7:17. 2 Pet. 2:1-3, 14-17. Rev. 19:20.
ready and able to save: and would he now appear like a man, who is surprised by some unexpected accident, which renders him unable to save those who expect help from his power and valor?-The gentiles would be ready to draw conclusions to this effect from the calamities of that people, by whom JEHOVAH had so long been worshipped, among whom he had his only temple, and who were called by his
V. 7-9. In this extreme distress, the proph-name, or, on whom "his name was called:"
et ventured to intercede for his people, notwithstanding the interdiction which had been laid upon him: ( Notes , 7:16. 11:14.) and he seems still to have indulged a hope, that by repentance the threatened judgments might be averted; or at least that this would be a lengthening of the tranquillity of Judah. He acknowledged that their multiplied apostacies, idolatries, and iniquities were so many witnesses against them, that they had deserved these miseries: but he entreated the Lord, for the honor of his own name, to interpose in their behalf. ( Notes , Deut . 32:26,27. Josh . 7:6-9. Ps . 74:21-23. 79:8-13. Ez . 20:7-9. Eph . 1: 3-8.) He had always been the only "Hope of Israel;" and their Deliverer, even from those troubles which had come upon them for their sins: and would he now finally forsake them? He had dwelt among them, and taken care of
and therefore the prophet pleaded, that the honor of his power, wisdom, truth, and goodness engaged him not to leave his people to sink under their afflictions. ( Notes , 10:23-25, v. 25. Is . 63:15-19. 64:1-3,6-12.)
V. 10-12. God condescended to shew the prophet, that his "zeal," in this case, "was not according to knowledge." He calls the Jews "this people," not "my people:" they had delighted to wander into idolatry and iniquity; and they did not refrain their feet from walking in those evil ways, either from fear or love of God. He therefore declared, that he no longer accepted them; but was determined to punish them according to their sins, for the honor of his justice and holiness. And he would not allow Jeremiah to pray any more for good to them; ( Notes , 7:16. 15:1-4. Ez . 14:13-21.) nor would their fastings, praywere then engaged, prevent still heavier vengeance from falling on them: for "these were but the beginning of sorrows," which with combined destructions would entirely desolate the land. ( Notes , 36:8-25. Is . 1:10-20. 58:17. Joel 2:12-20.)
them, as of his own habitation; and if he haders, and sacrifices, in which it is probable they
left them for a time, to chastise them for their sins, he had soon returned to them in mercy: and would he now be as a stranger? or as a traveller, who, having tarried for a night in any place, departs next morning, and takes no more thought about it? He had shewed himself
16 And the people, to whom they prophesy, shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: 9 for I will pour their wickedness upon them.
17 Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: * for the virgin-daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.
18 If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.
19 Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul loathed Zion? why hast thou
o 5:31. Is. 9:16. Matt. 15:14. p See on 7:33. 9:22.-15:2.3. 16: 4. 18:21. 19:6,7. P.. 79:2,3. q 2:17-19. 4:18. 13:22-25. Prov. 1:31. Rev. 16:1. 8:13,21. 9:1. 13:17. Ps. 80:4, 5. 119:136. Lam. 1:16. 2:18. 3:48,49.
Is. 37:22. Lam. 1:15. 2:13. Am. 5:2.
t $0:14,15. Ps. 39:10. Mic. 6: 13.
u 52:6,7. Lam. 4:9. Ez. 7:15. v 6:13. 8.10. 23:21. Deut. 28: 36,64. Is. 28:7. Lam. 4:13 -16.
* Or, make merchandise against a land, and men acknowledge it not. 2:3. 5:31. Mic. 3:11. 2 Pet. 2:3.
x 6:30. 15:1. 2 Kings 17:19,20. Ps. 78:59. 30:12,13. 89:38. Lam. 5:22. Rom. 11:1-6.
y 12:8. Zech. 11:8,9.
V. 13-16. The prophet could not but allow the justice of the Lord's controversy with the people: yet he was desirous of finding something to plead in their behalf. He thought that the false prophets were the principal criminals; for they flattered the people with assurances of peace and prosperity, and set them against the faithful warnings of the true prophets.
This the Lord allowed to be the case; and with great severity gave sentence against the prophets also: but as "the people loved to have it so," ( Notes , 10-12. 5:30,31.) they were not to be excused, or to escape: for judgments, corresponding to their enormous wickedness, were about to be poured out on them.
The many energetic words, which are used in describing the conduct of the false prophets, and the Lord's indignation both against them and the people, are peculiarly suitable to the occasion, and calculated to lay hold on the reader's attention. ( Notes , 4:10. 8:1-3. 23:9—32. 26:9. 27:12–15. 28: Is . 30:8 11. Міс . 2 : 6-12. Matt . 7:15-20. 2 Thes . 2:8 12. 2 Pet . 2 : 1-3, Rev. 19:17-21, ν . 20.)
V. 17, 18. The Lord next ordered his servant to declare before the people his determination, to give a loose to incessant and excessive grief, in the prospect of those miseries, which he could not prevent, either by his warnings or prayers. The Jews endured great distress from famine; but far greater calamities were approaching: and Jerusalem would be broken in a more grievous manner han she had ever before been. Then, in the field would be seen those who had been slain by the Chaldean besiegers; and in the city such as were dying of famine: even the priests and prophets would attempt to flee into foreign lands for safety; and such as remained would be carried away captive. ( Notes , Lam . 1:1217.4:7-16.) The last clause may be rendered;
z See on 8:22. 15:18. 2 Chr. 36:16. Lam. 2:13.
a See on 8:15. Job 30:26. Lam. 4:17. 1 Thes. 5:3.
b 3:13,25. Lev. 26:40-42. Ezra 9:6,7. Neh. 9:2. Ps. 32:5, 51:3. 106:6,&c. Dan. 9:5-8. 1 John 1:7-9.
c 2 Sam. 12:13. 24:10. Job 33: 27. Ps. 51:4. Luke 15:1821.
d 19. Lev. 26:11,30. Deut. 32: 19. Ps. 106:40. Lam. 2:7. Am. 6:8.
e See on 7.- Ps. 79:9,10. Ez. 36:22,23. 39:25. Dan. 9:7,15 -19. Eph. 2:7.
f See on 3:17、17:12. Ps. 74:3 -7. Lam. 1:10, 2:6,7,20. Ez. 7:20-22, 24:21. 43:7. Dan.
8:11-13. Luke 21:24. Rev 11:2.
g Ex. 32:13. Lev. 26:42-45. Ps. 74:2,18-20. 89:39,40. 106: 45. Is. 64:9-12. Zech. 11: 10,11. Luke 1:72. Heb. 8:6 -13.
h 10:15. 16:19. Deut. 32:21. Is. 41:29. 44:12-20.
i1 Kings 17:1. 18:1. Zech. 10: 1,2. Acts 14:15-17.
k 5:24. 51:16. Deut. 28:12. Kings 8:36. 17:14. 18:39-45 Job 5:10. 38:26-28. Ps. 147 8. Is. 30:23. Joel 2:23. Am 4:7. Matt. 5:45.
1 Ps. 25:3,21. 27:14. 130:5. Is. 30:18. Lam. 3:25,26. Mic. 7:7 Hab. 3:17-19.
"Because both the prophet and the priest carry on a trade against the land, and they acknowledge it not." ( Marg .) "For filthy lucre's sake," they deceived the people with lying divinations, and promised them peace: yet, when charged with it, they would not own their guilt and seek forgiveness. Or, intent on their own gain, they disregarded the miseries of the people.
They know not. (18) The verb )ידי,( here translated know , is rendered acknowledge in the twentieth verse.
V. 19-22. The prophet still pleaded for a mitigation of the sentence. Had the Lord utterly cast off Judah, his visible church, in which the promised Messiah was to be raised up? Did he abhor Zion, the place of his temple and worship, and the type of good things to come? And would he no longer have a church on earth? If this were not his purpose, wherefore did he so smite them that there was no healing?
None else could, and he would not, heal them: and all their expectations of deliverance and peace were frustrated. ( Notes , 7-9. 8:14-16.) -He then acknowledged his own sins, and those of his people: but he still prayed that the Lord would not abhor them, for the honor of his great name. The temple, in which he manifested his special presence above the mercy-seat, was "the throne of his glory" on earth; which would be disgraced, if profaned by the heathen: and he pleaded with the LORD, ( Notes , 7:3-16. 17:12,13.) that he would remember his covenant and not disannul it.
The people had, indeed, violated their national covenant; and forfeited the covenanted blessings: yet Jeremiah prayed that it might not wholly be made void, and of no effect: ( Note , Ps . 74:20.) for that is the proper meaning of the word, rendered "break."-Even in their present distress, none of the idols of the
gentiles could help them, nor could the heav-iquities testify against them:" for "the Hope
ens give rain of themselves: they had none to apply to but the LORD; and on him they waited for relief, as the omnipotent Creator and Governor of all things. ( Marg . Ref . h, i.- Notes , 10:12-15. 1 Kings 17:1. 18:1,2,41-44. Zech. 10:1.
Acts 14:11-18, v . 17.)- 'He teacheth the 'church a form of prayer, to humble themselves 'to God by true repentance, which is the only 'mean to avoid this famine.' ( Notes , Is . 63: 15-19. 64:)-Though most of the peopl people were either hypocrites or idolaters; or idolaters; yet a small remnant of believers may be supposed to have joined the prophet in these prayers: and probably they prevailed for the removal of the famine, though not for the prevention of the captivity. ( Note , 15:1.) The Hebrew word " Hu , "He," is often e equivalent to the true or 'eternal God. See Deut . 32:39.
Is . 43:10,13.48: '12. and especially Ps . 102:27. where the ex'pression is the same as that of the text, ... "Thou art He:" our English reads, "Thou 'art the same." Lowth . The apostle applies this to our Savior. ( Notes , Ps . 102:25-28. Heb. 1:10-12. 13:7,8.)-Break not, &c. (21) "Annul not thy covenant with us." Blayney. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1-12.
Our entire dependence on God is manifest in every thing: if he withholds the showers of rain; the fields no longer yield their increase, the springs of water fail, tillage ceases, flourishing cities languish, and the inhabitants wax pale, faint, and die: and should he continue this sore judgment, the earth, with all its proudest and wealthiest possessors, as well as the poor and mean, must at length perish.When man's iniquity has provoked the Lord thus to visit any land, the inhabitants often lament their miseries, without any due regard to him, or humiliation for their sins; and they express their anguish in much the same way as the innocent animals do, which are involved in their punishment; except that their complaints are rebellious as well as bitter.
And often, when fasts are proclaimed, and formal confessions and supplications made before God; the insincerity of those concerned is demonstrated, by the want of "fruits meet for repentance;" and then such hypocritical cries are disregarded and rejected.-Whatever men trust to, whilst they neglect God, and his service and salvation, it will finally disappoint them: they will return from their broken cisterns "with their vessels empty, and ashamed" of their confidence: ( Note , 2:13.) nor will industry and ingenuity stand in any more stead, than nobility and affluence, when God arises to execute vengeance.
But they who make "the Hope of Israel" their confidence, will find him a present Savior in every time of trouble, 'in the hour of death, and in the day of judg'ment.' And though our manifold "iniquities testify against us, and our backslidings have been many:" yet, if we now return to the Lord, by sincere repentance, faith, and prayer, he will save us, "to the praise of the glory of his grace." Such genuine converts long for the salvation of their neighbors and relatives, and interest themselves in the concerns of the church: and they are sometimes more troubled for the miseries which oppress or await others, than for their own share in temporal calamities.
They therefore supplicate their reconciled God in behalf of all connected with them, for their native country, and that part of
and Savior of Israel" will return to deliver those communities, in which a considerable remnant of true believers are found; though otherwise justly deserving of his severest vengeance. But when "the faithful fail," and the measure of iniquity is filled up, God will certainly estrange himself from those, who have been most favored with the means of grace; and his glory will require that they be more severely punished, than less enlightened communities. He can silence the blasphemies of his enemies, when he sees good thus to punish those "who are called by his name;" and shew that he knows how, and is able, to deliver them when he pleases, though for a time he leave them to suffer for their iniquities. And when he sheweth his servants how they, for whom they plead, "love to wander," ," and do not refrain their feet from any evil way; they will be constrained to allow the justice of his most awful dispensations.
V. 13-22.
False teachers, who have always abounded in the visible church, are of all characters the most criminal: for they speak lies in the name of God; and, by teaching the people false doctrine and "the deceit of their hearts," they encourage men to expect peace and salvation, without repentance, faith, conversion, and holiness of life. ( Note , Ez . 13:10-23. Р. 0.1— 23.) Thus a large proportion of the guilt and misery of mankind will be charged to their account; and inevitable and tremendous destruction will overwhelm them.
But, as the hatred of truth and holiness, and the love of sin, dispose men to prefer such ministers of Satan to the faithful servants of God; they, who are thus given up to "a strong delusion to believe a lie," will not be allowed to plead this for an excuse, when the Lord shall "pour their wickedness upon them." He is righteous in these judgments: yet it behoves us to mourn over the miseries of the human race; for the law that commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves, is our rule of conduct: which his unrevealed, or even revealed purposes could not be.
And when we consider, how "evil men and seducers wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived," to the temporal ruin of nations and churches, and the destruction of innumerable immortal souls; "our eyes" might well "run down with tears night and day, and not cease:" and we should more frequently be thus affected, if that mind were in us, which was in him, who wept over Jerusalem, and prayed on the cross for his persecutors.
Yet we need not fear lest the Lord should utterly reject his church, or abhor his ordinances: he will always have a people to commune with him at bis mercy-seat, and never suffer that "throne of his glory" to be disgraced, or abrogate his covenant with the great Redeemer.
Though he may smite, and not heal, professing nations and hypocrites; yet he will bind up the wounded conscience of every true penitent, and heal the stripes which he inflicts on his believing people: and if he should not see good to hear our prayers in behalf of our guilty land; yet he will cer tainly bless, with temporal and eternal salva tion, all who confess their sins before him, and wait on him for his promised mercy.-In the case of drought, what unbelievers and philosophers call nature , can no more give showers, than the idols of the heathen could. On the
the church especially to which they belong. 'contrary, God directs them when and where Here also the mercy of God, and the honor of 'they shall fall.' Lowth . (Notes, Job 5:8-10. his name, supply many a plea to urge before 37:1-13. Ps . 135:7.) Thus "every good and him, in behalf of the very persons, whose "in-perfect gift is from above, and cometh down God determines, (let who will intercede.) to pour out many heavy judgments on the Jews, Jeremiah complains he is generally hated; and God promises good to him amidst the calamities of the nation, 10-14. The prophet professes