CHAP. XXI. V. 1, 2. We have been left to conjecture the time, in which most of the preceding prophecies were delivered: but many of those which follow are dated. This chapter leads us forward to the time of Zedekiah, and very near to the captivity: (Notes, 37:1-5. 2 Kings 25:1-5. Ez . 21:19-27.) yet we shall frequently be brought back to the preceding reigns. When Nebuchadnezzar had shewn a determination to make war against Zedekiah, he was anxious to know the event: though that had been so often predicted, that nothing but the most determined incredulity could doubt of it.
He was convinced, at some times at least, that Jeremiah was a true prophet, and he sent messengers to him on this occasion; who entreated him to inquire of the Lord, whether he would not appear for their deliverance, according to the wonders which he had formerly wrought for his people, that the king of Babylon might go up from them.
Perhaps he meant to desire the prayers of the prophet: but neither he nor his messengers paid any regard to his warnings and exhortations, or made any attempts towards reformation, personal or public. - 'Not that the king 'was touched with repentance, ... and so sought 'to God, as did Hezekiah, when he sent to 'Isaiah: but because the prophet might pray 'unto God to take this present plague away; 'as Pharaoh sought unto Moses.' ( Notes , Ex . 8:7,8. 2 Kings 19: Acts 8:18-24, v. 24.)— Pashur, here mentioned, was a different person, from Pashur, who put Jeremiah in the stocks. ( Marg .
Ref . b, c.- Note , 20:1-6. 38:1
Alas! how frail, how mutable, how sinful is man in his best estate! How soon do our graces droop, and our corruptions revive, when we are left to ourselves! And how foolish, impious, and unnatural are the thoughts and wishes of our hearts, when we yield to impatience and discontent! Let us then "consider him, who endured the contradiction of sinners against himself, lest we be weary, and faint in our minds," under our lighter trials: ( Notes , 12:5,6. Heb . 12:1-3.) let us beg of him to enable us to keep our hearts, and to bridle our lips, under temptation: and let us accustom ourselves to view every object in the glass of eternity. For, if we have a good hope of eter--6.) nal happiness, we cannot allow ourselves to wish that we had never been born; or to complain of those "light and momentary afflictions, which are working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory:" and, if we have
V. 4. God would so order it, that the weapons of the Jews should hurt none but themselves. Without the walls , &c.] Some think this message was sent, when the Chaldeans left the siege of Jerusalem to meet the Egyp
not a good hope, we have more important mat-tian army: but this expression implies that the ters to engage our attention, and should be besiegers were at the time encamped against otherwise employed than in fretting and mur- the city. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 37:6-10. Lam . muring about our present trials. But, as our 1:8-11.) VOL. IV.
[321
strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath.
6 And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: mthey shall die of a great pestilence.
7 And afterwards, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.
8 And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, PI set before you the way of life, and the way of
death.
9 He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.
10 For I have set my face against this
1 7:20. 12:3,4.33:12. 36:29. Gen. o 13:14. Deut. 28:50. 2 Chr. 6:7. 3617. Is. 13:17,18. 27:11. 47: 6. Ez. 7:9.8:18.9:5,6,10. Hab. 1:6-10.
Is. 6:11. 24:1-6. Ez. 14:13,17,19,21.33:27-29. Hos. 4:3. Mic. 3:12. Zeph. 1:3. Luke 21:24.
m 32:24. 34:17. 42:22. Ez. 5:12, 13. 7:15. 12:16.
p Deut. 11:26. 30:15,19. Is. 1: 19,20.
q See on 7.-27:13. 38:2,17-23. r 38:2. 39:18. 45:5.
n 24:8-10. 34:19-22. 37:17. 38: 21-23.39:4-7.52:8-11,24- s 44:11,27. Lev. 17:10. 20:3-5. 27. 2 Kings 25:5-7,18-21.
2 Chr. 36:17-20. Ez. 12:12
-16. 17:20,21. 21:25,26.
26:17. Ps. 34:16. Ez. 15:7. Am. 9:4.
V. 5-7. God himself would fight against the Jews, by pestilence and famine, as well as by the sword of the Chaldeans. ( Notes , 15:14. 34:1-5. Ez . 14: 12—21 .)—The same expressions are used concerning the Lord's fighting against the Jews, as had formerly been employed in respect of his fighting for them, against the Egyptians and their other enemies. ( Marg . Ref . i, k, n, o.)
V. 8-10. If the king and his princes refused to surrender, the people were called on to provide for their own safety; which could only be done by going over to the Chaldeans. (Notes, 27:12-15. 38:1-6. Josh. 2:4-6.)-As this was the express command of God, it fully released them from all obligation to obey their rulers, who acted in avowed defiance of him.
For a prey. (9) 'As a thing recovered from 'extreme danger. Or, "instead of spoil."-'He 'ought to think himself a considerable gainer, 'by escaping with his life, in so general a de'struction.' Lowth . ( Notes , 39:15-18. 45:4,5.)-I have set , &c. (10) Marg . Ref . s, t.- Note , Am .
9:1-4.
V. 11, 12. Some expositors suppose, that a new prophecy is here begun, which was delivered long before the rest of the chapter. But there is not the smallest intimation given
city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.
11 And touching the "house of the king of Judah, say , Hear ye the word of the LORD;
12 Ox house of David, thus saith the LORD; * Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, a lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench it , because of the evil of your doings.
13 Behold, I am against thee, O tinhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain, saith the LORD; which say, e Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?
14 But I will punish you faccording to the fruit of your doings, saith the LorD: and I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things round about it.
t 17:27. 26:6. 32:28-31.37:8
10 38:18,23. 39:8. 52:13,14. 2 Chr. 36:19. Zech. 1:6.
u 13:18. 17:20. Mic. 3:1. x Is. 7:2,13. Luke 1:69.
* Heb. Judge. 5:28. 22:2,3,15- 17. 23:5. 2 Sam. 8:15. Ps. 72:1-4,12-14.82:2-4. Is. 1: 17. 16:3-5. 32:1,2. Zech. 7:9 -11.
y Ex. 18:13. Ps. 101:8. Ec. 10:16,17
z Job 29:17. Ps. 82:4. Prov. 24:11,12. 31:8,9. Is. 1:17. Luke 18:S-5. Rom. 13:4.
a 5. 4:4. 5:14. 17:4. 23:19. 36:7. Lev. 26:28. Deut. 32:22. Lam. 2:3,4. 4:11. Ez. 20:47,48, 22:
18-22,31. 24:8-14. Nah. 1: 6. Zeph. 1:18.
b See on 7:20. -Is. 1:31. Mark 9:43-48.
с 5. 23:30-32.50:31.51:25. Ex. 13:8,20.
Heb. inhabitress. d Ps. 125:2. Is. 22:1.
e 7:4. 49:4,16. 2 Sam. 5:6,7. Lam. 4:12. Ob. 3,4. Mic. 3:11.
Heb. visit upon. 9:25. 11:22. Is. 10:12. 24:21. margins.
f 6:19. 17:10. 32:19. Prov. 1:31. Is. 3:10,11. Gal. 6:7,8.
g 22:7. Is. 10:18,19. 27:10,11. 37-24. Ez. 20:46-48. Zech. 11:1.
h 52:13. 2 Chr. 36:19.
ishing the obstinate rebels, who refused to hearken, would be thus more fully illustrated. And, though the destruction of the city, and the captivity of the nation, had been absolutely determined: yet a variety of circumstances might exceedingly have mitigated the horrors of that catastrophe, especially to Zedekiah and his sons, had this exhortation been regarded. ( Notes , 38:17—23. 2 Kings 25:6,7. Ez . 12:8-16. 17:12-21. 21:25-27.)-The wickedness of Zedekiah and his sons, and of the princes of that line, was aggravated by their relation to David.
They probably trusted in the covenant of royalty, whilst their crimes forfeited their personal interest in it: and the exhortation implied a severe reproof of Zedekiah's conduct, as guilty of perversion of power and neglect of duty. But let him and his princes, immediately and earnestly, set themselves to execute justice, and deliver the oppressed: let them do it "in the morning," as their first concern, at that time when their courts were held, and every morning: or else the Lord's anger would burn unquenchably against them. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 2 Sam . 8:15-18, v . 15. Ps . 101:8.
Is . 50:4.)
V. 13, 14. ( Notes , 17:3,4. 2 Sam . 5:6-8. Ps . 125:1,2. Is . 22:1.) Jerusalem was builded part 'on the hill, and part in the valley, and was
of this: and it was proper even to the very time, 'compassed about with mountains.'- 'They in which judgment was executed, that exhort- 'confided in the strength of their situation, as ations to "repentance, and works meet for re- 'the Jebusites ... had formerly done.' Lowth. pentance," should be given along with denun- O inhabitant of the valley , &c. (13) "O thou inciations of wrath. The justice of God in pun-'habitant of the levelled hollow of a rock."