CHAP. XXX.
Prophecies of the restoration of the Jews, and the rebuilding of their city and temple; notwithstanding their extreme calami
ties, the justice of their punishment, the failure of all human
help, and their own desponding thoughts, 1-18: of their subsequent increase and prosperity under their own rulers; and of the destruction of their enemies and the wicked, 19-24.
THE HE a word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2 Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words
a 1:1,2. 26:15.
b 36:2-4,32. 51:60-64. Ex. 17: 14. Deut. 31:19, 22-27. Job
19:23,24. Is. 8:1.30:8. Dan. 12:4. Hab. 2:2,3. Rom. 15: 4. 1 Cor. 10:11. Rev. 1:11,19.
measures, which are contrary to scripture, and disgraceful to the gospel. And as no pre-intimations are given us of those great revolutions, by which power passes from one to another; and which are generally effected by those in public situations, or by popular assemblies; it behoves us in our private stations to "study to be quiet and to mind our own business." The promises of God will certainly be performed in their appointed season; but that must be waited for, in the use of authorized means alone. We know not what the thoughts of God are respecting our personal concerns, and he has "put the times and seasons in his own power:" but it should suffice us to know in general, that he has "thoughts of good, and not of evil," towards his church, which shall at length have an expected end of her long continued oppression; and that "all things shall work together" for the believer's good, till his trials shall be
teach a smooth and deceitful gospel: they frequently have their secret reasons for encouraging men to indulge their lusts; otherwise what hope could they themselves have of escaping "the damnation of hell?" And it is an unspeakable mercy to numbers, when the crimes of such deceivers are detected, to prevent the pernicious effects of their licentious or skeptical tenets: but if they continue impenitent, they will at length become the most miserable and execrated of mankind. It should never be forgotten, that those who are evidently walking in the broad road, are altogether improper persons to teach others the way to heaven. ( Note , Matt . 7:3-5.) Yet men of this
character commonly treat the servants of God with peculiar rage or scorn: they are officious and intermeddling, and often instigate their superiors to persecute, when they have it not in their own power. Many of them think that authority, especially ecclesiastical authority , is
ended, and his most enlarged hopes immense-chiefly useful in enabling those who possess it,
ly exceeded in the rest and felicity of heaven. In general we are assured, that all who "seek the LORD, and call upon him, and search for him with their whole hearts," shall find him, and be made joyful in his salvation: and that the Lord introduces great revivals of religion, by exciting his people to fervent and united and persevering prayers and supplications. Thus they they go forth to meet him, when he comes to perform his promises; and thus let us seek for that universal prevalence of the gospel, which he has taught us to expect; as well as by improving our talents in every way that we can, and heartily concurring ng with the ef
to silence and punish the laborious ministers, whose preaching detects their ignorance and hypocrisy, and whose example shames their sleth and avarice: and they make loud outcries, that the church is betrayed by its rulers, when the true ministers of God are unmolested. In their judgment, the zealous, active preacher is a madman, or a fool, or worse: let who will be tolerated, he ought to be disgraced and silenced; and a prison ison and the stocks are his just desert. It is happy for mankind when men of this stamp want power adequate to their malice, and when those of greater moderation have the management of such af
forts of those, to whom God has intrusted oth-fairs. All the accusations brought against
er and greater talents, and given superior opportunities of exerting them.
V. 15-32.
many laborious teachers of modern times, when fairly examined, amount to no more than this: they earnestly counsel men to attend to their true interests and present duties, and not to expect impunity in sin, or in neglect of God's salvation; but to wait for the performance of his promises in his appointed way, and in obe- dience to his commandments: and these "words of truth and soberness" are called madness and enthusiasm, by multitudes who scarcely ever look into the word of God! They, who are thus inveterate against the truth and those who preach it, shall not behold the good, which the Lord will do unto his people; but will be punished, according g, as "they have taught rebellion against him." NOTES.
Let all beware how they call those teachers "whom they heap to themselves after their own lusts," "prophets whom the LORD hath raised up unto them;" ( Note , 2 Tim . 4:1-5, vv . 3,4.) or those dreams, which they cause to be dreamed coincident with their inclinations, revelations from God. The mistake is often fatal: and the teacher and his instructions should be carefully compared with the scriptures, and the nature, tendency, and effects of them well weighed. -The Lord is immutable in his purposes, and will surely be true to his word, both in punishing impenitent sinners, and in saving all who obey his gospel: and it is vain to attempt new modelling religion, by leaving out alarming and offensive truths, in order to render it more palatable to the vitiat-couraging, as the preceding chapters were
ed minds of sinners. In this way men deceive themselves, and are deceived by "Satan transformed into an angel of light:" and then they are employed as "his ministers transformed into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works." ( Note , 2 Cor . 11:13-15.) For the heart-seaching God often beholds much villany in those, who
CHAP. XXX. V. 1-3. This and some of the following chapters contain predictions as en
awful and alarming. The prophet was ordered to "write in a book," for the use of posterity, "all the words that the LORD had spoken to him." This seems to refer to the whole of his prophecies, and not to this particular message; and it is supposed that the substance of all his predictions has been transmitted to us. -JEHOVAH intended to restore the Jews to
4T And these are the words that the break his yoke from off thy neck, and
LORD spake concerning Israel, and con- cerning Judah.
5 For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, * of fear, and not of peace.
6 Ask ye now, and see whether ta man oth travail with child? wherefore do I see 5 every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into "paleness?
will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him.
9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them. [Practical Observations.
10 Therefore a fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet,
7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Ja-and none shall make him afraid. cob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will
f 4:15--20,31. 6:23,24. 8:19. 9: 19. 25:36. 31:15,16. Is. 5:30. 59:11. Am. 5:16-18. 8:10. Zeph. 1:10,11. Luke 19:41- 44. 21:25,26. 23:28-30.
*Or, there is fear and not peace. 46:5.
↑ Heb. a male.
Hos. 1:11. Joel 2:11,31 Am. 5:18-20. Zeph. 1:14-18. Zech. 14:1,2. Mal. 4:1. Acts 2:20. Rev. 6:17.
k Lam. 1:12. 2:13.4:6. Dan. 9: 12. 12:1. Matt. 24:21,22. Mark 13:19,20.
1 Gen. 32:7,24--30.
-4.
Hos. 12:2
tam
11 For I with thee, saith the Lord, to save thee: "though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: * but I will correct thee in measure, and
ο 25.14. 27:7.
p Is. 55:3-5. Ez. 34:23,24. 37. 23-25. Hos. 3:5. Luke 1:69. Acts 2:30. 13:34.
q 46:27,28. Gen. 15:1. Deut. 31:6-8. Is. 41:10-15. 43:5. 44:2.54:4. Zeph. 3:16,17. John 12:15.
r See on 3. 23:3,8. 29:14.-46:27. Is. 46:11,13. 49:25. 60:4,&c. Ez. 16-53.
s 23:6.33:16. Is. 35:9. Ez. 34:
25-28.38:11. Hos. 2:18. Mic. 4:3,4. Zeph. 3:15. Zech. 2:4, 5. 3:10. 8:4-8.
t 1:8,19. 15:20. 46:28. Is. 8:10. 43:25. Ez. 11:16,17. Matt. 1:23. 28:20. Acts 18:10. 2 Tim. 4:17,18,22,
u 4:27. 5.10,18. 46:27,28. Ez. 11:13. Am. 9:8,9. Rom. 9:27 -29.11:5-7.
x See on 10:24. Ps. 6:1. Is. 27: 7,8.
their own land, and to continue his worship among them: and the whole of Jeremiah's predictions would be of great use to them. As his contemporaries had almost universally neglected his warnings and exhortations, the prophet might be tempted to conclude that his labors were in vain. But this was by no means the case: for his writings would convince, lead to repentance, and encourage the Jews, during their captivity; at the approach of their deliverance they would direct their measures, and put energy into their prayers; ( Notes , Dan . 9:1-3.) and afterwards they would tend to establish successive generations in the worship of that God, who had predicted and effected all these surprising events: they would excite their praises to him for performing his promises, warn them against idolatry and iniquity, and animate them to obedience. Nay, this weeping prophet (who seems a peculiar in- 'ceived its accomplishment: since after the re
would be enfeebled, pale, and fainting. ( Marg . Ref . g, h.) Indeed this would be a day of so great affliction, that none had ever been like it; and it might emphatically be called "the day of Jacob's trouble:" but it would as certainly precede their deliverance, as the pangs of travail do the joy of the mother "that a child is born into the world:" and the nation would also certainly survive, and be saved out of these distresses. In that day, (namely the day of their deliverance,) the Chaldean yoke would be broken from off them, and they would be rescued from the oppression of strangers: and being weaned from idolatry, they would adhere to the worship and service of God, and live under the rulers whom he would place over them, of the lineage of David, or favored like David.
stance of one every way fitted for usefulness, laboring for a long course of years with very little visible success,) has been made abun- dantly useful to the church of God for much above two thousand years already, and will continue to be so to the end of the world!
V. 4. 'Several prophecies foretel the resto- 'ration both of Israel and Judah, and their re- 'union after their restoration.' Lowth . ( Note , 3:16-18. Ez . 37:15-22. Hos . 3:4,5.) -The Jews, who returned from Babylon, are called "Israel," and "all Israel;" but never Israel
Strangers , &c. (8) 'This promise has not re
'turn of the Jews under Cyrus, they were reduc'ed into servitude by the Greeks and Romans; 'and at present there is no place in the world, 'where they can be said to be their own mas'ters.' Lowth .
David . (9) 'That is, the Messias, who is oft'en called by the name of David, ... as the per'son, in whom all the promises made to Da'vid, were to be fulfilled. Is . 55:8,4. Ez . 34:23. 37:24. Hos . 3:5.' Lowth. ( Notes , Is . 55:1-5. Ez . 34:23-31. 37:23-28. Hos . 3:4,5.)-The deliverance of the Jews from Babylon gave,
and Judah, as distinguished from each other. as it were, the occasion to the prophecy: but ( Ezra 2:70. 7:13. 10:5. Note , Ezra 6:16,17.) the future restoration of both Israel and Ju- V.5-9. The Lord here introduces further dah, when converted to Christ their King, assurances of merciful deliverance, by speak- is evidently foretold: and many parts of the ing of the approaching miseries of the Jews, prediction never had an adequate accomplish- as if already come upon them. They had dis-ment, nor can have, except in that event.
Per- regarded the predictions of these calamities: haps it will be introduced by terrible judg- but they are here represented as "hearing a ments on Israel and the adjacent nations, voice of trembling and fear, and not of peace:" destroying obstinate rebels and opponents; (Marg. Ref . f.) and the dismay and distress and making way for the conversion of the would be so general and extreme, that every rest: ( Notes , Is . 24:17-23.
Rev. 19:11—21.) man in the land would be seen in anguish, or, the miseries of the nation, since the coming resembling that of a woman in travail; and all of Christ, are predicted. [353
VOL. IV.
will not leave thee altogether unpunished. || shall be devoured; and all thine adversa12 For thus saith the LORD, Thy ries, every one of them, shall go into cappruise is incurable, and thy wound is griev- tivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.
ous.
13 There is none to plead thy cause, * that thou mayest be bound up: a thou hast no healing medicines.
14 All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not, for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; d because thy sins were increased.
15 Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable & for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.
16 Therefore hall they that devour thee 30:13,14. Hos. 5:12,13. Mic.
See on 15.-14:17. 15:18. 2 Chr. 36:16. Is. 1:5,6. Ez. 37: 11.
Ps. 106:23. 142:4. Is. 59:16. Ez. 22:30.
Heb. for binding up , or pressing. Luke 10:30-34. 17. 8:22. 17:14. 33:6. Ex. 15: 26. Deut. 32:39. Job 5:18. Nah.
34:29. Hos. 6:1. 14:4. 3:19. 1 Pet. 2:24.
b 2:36. 4:30. 22:20,22. 38:22. Lam. 1:2,19. Ez. 23:9,22. Hos. 2:10-16. Rev. 17:12,13,1618.
e Job 13:24-28. 16:9. 19:11. 30: 21. Hos. 5:14.
d See on 15. 5:6.-Ps. 90:7,8. Ez. 9:8-10.
e 15:19. Josh. 7:10,11.
3:39. Mic. 7:9.
Lam.
f 12,17. 46:11. Job 34:6,29. Is.
1:9. Mal. 4:1,2.
g 14. 2:19,28-30.5:6-9,25-31. 6:6,7,13.7:8-11.9:1-9. 11:13. 32:30-35. 2 Chr. 36:14-17. Ezra 9:6,7,13. Neh. 9:26--36. Is. 1:4,5,21-24. 5:2, &c. 59:14,12-15. Lam. 1:5. 4:13,14. Ez. 16: 20: 22: 23: Zeph. 3:1 -5.
h 10:25. 12:14. 25:12,26-29.50: 7-11,17,18,28,33-40. 51:3437. Ex. 23:22. Ps. 129:5. 137:8,9. Is. 14:2. 33:1. 41:11. 47:5,6, 54:15,17. Lam. 1:21. 4: 21,22. Ez. 25:3, &c. 26:2,&c. 29:6,7. 35:5,&c. Mic. 4:1113. 7:10-17. Nah. 1:8-14. Hab. 2:16,17. Zeph. 2:8-10. Zech. 1:14,15. 2:8,9. 12:2-4. 14:2,3. Rev. 13:10.
17 For 1 will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord: because they called thee an outcast, saying , This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
18 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and m the city shall be builded upon her own theap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.
[Practical Observations.]
19 And • out of them shall proceed thanksgiving, and the voice of them that make merry: P and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; q I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
20 Their children also shall be as 7:20-22. Hag. 2:7-9. Zech. 1:16,27.
i See on 13. 3:22.-33:6. Ex. 15:26. 15. 30:26. Ez. 34:16. Hos. 6:1. Mal. 4:2. 1 Pet. 2: 24.
Rev. 22.2.
0 31:4,12,13. 33:10,11. Ezra 3: 10-13. 6:22. Nch. 8:12,17. 12:43-46. Ps. 53:6. 126:1,2. Is. 12:1. 35:10. 51:11. 52:9. Zeph. 3:14-20. Zech. 8:19. p 31:27. 33:22. Is. 27:6.60:22. Ez. 36:10-15,37.37:26. Zech. 2:4. 8:4,5. 10:8.
q 33:9. Is. 60:19.62:2,3. Zeph. 3:19,20. Zech. 9:18-17. 12: 8. John 17:22. 1 Pet. 1:7. r 32:39. Gen. 17:5-9. Ps. 90: 16,17. 102:18,28. Is. 1:26,27.
V. 10, 11. ( Notes , 4:19-27, υ. 27 46:27,28. even of rendering their bondage more tolera Is . 41:10-14. 43:5-7. Zeph. 3:14-20.) God ble. 'None knows the true nature of thy malhas made "a full end" of the Egyptians, Syri- 'ady; or what medicines are to be applied to ans, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Medes and Per- 'thy case.' Lowth. (Notes, 8:21,22. 17:14. Is. aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.
sians, and Macedonians, and of the Pagan Roman empire, which successively scattered or oppressed Israel; so that each of them has been inseparably united with the conquering nations: yet the Jews, by an unprecedented interposition of Providence, after all their oppressions and dispersions, are preserved a distinct people to this present day! ( Note , Num . 23:9.) How wonderfully do undeniable facts demonstrate the divine inspiration of the scriptures! No doubt the future restoration of that people from their present dispersions, and their quiet and permanent settlement in Canaan, will, in a still more astonishing manner, attest the same most important truth, to the conviction and conversion of the nations of the earth.
Will not leave, &c. (11) Notes , 10:23-25. 25:29. Ex . 34:5-7, v. 7. Nah . 1:2,6, v . 3.
V. 12-18. The Lord here speaks of the condition of Judah and Israel, in the extremity of their distresses, as it appeared to them and to others; and as it would have been without his immediate interposition. Their bruises were incurable by any human power, they had been so grievously wounded and crushed. None had skill to effect a cure, or to bind up their wounds, nor had they any healing medicines. (Notes, Job 5:18,19. Hos . 6:1-3.) None could plead for them with the victors, to restore them to their land, or to shew them favor; nor had they any means of recovering liberty, and re-establishing their church and state, or
1:5,6. 59:16-19.)--All the nations, whose alliance they had courted, whose idolatries they had copied, and who professed great love to them, had forgotten them, and desired no further acquaintance with them. ( Notes , 22: 20-23. Ez . 16:35-43. 23:24-28. Hos . 2:27.) JEHOVAH himself seemed to fight against them as an enemy: his chastisement was very severe, and like that of "a cruel one;" for he had been provoked to it by their multiplied and obstinate iniquities.
It was therefore in vain for them to lament their miseries, or complain of hard usage: their sorrow was incurable by any other hand, except that which had inflicted it; and in order to obtain help from God, they must submit to him, and acknowledge his justice in their punishment."Therefore," or yet surely , (16) though they suffered justly, and could not help themselves; he intended to appear for them, and to retaliate on those who had devoured them and carried them captive: he would bind up and heal the wounds, of which the nation lay as it were expiring: and because the heathen insulted over the Jews as outcasts, and over Zion as deserted and disregarded; he promised, in mercy to the people, to cause their habitations throughout the land to be rebuilt, as well as the city upon its old foundation, which during the captivity was a heap of ruins: and that the temple should be restored, and remain after the ancient manner, the centre of their worship, and the place of their solemn feasts and
21 And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their "Governor shall proceed from the midst of them; * and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.
t Gen. 49:10. Ezra 2:2. 7:25, 26. Neh. 2:9,10, 7:2.
u 23:5,6. 33:15. Deut. 18:18. 33:5. 2 Sam. 7:13. Ps. 89:29. 110:1-4. Is. 9:6,7. Ez. 34: 23,24. 37:24. Mic. 5:2-4. Zech. 9:9,10. Matt. 2:2. 21:5 -11. 27:37. Mark 11:9,10. Luke 1:32,33. John 18:36,37.
19:19-22. Acts 2:34-36.5:31. Rev. 19:16.
x Num. 16:5,40. 17:12,13. Ps. 110:4. Zech. 6:12,13. Matt. 3:17. Luke 24:26. Rom. 8: 34. Heb. 1:3. 4:14-16.7:21 -26. 9:15-24. 1 John 2:2. Rev. 5:9,10.
у 49:19. 50:44. Is. 63:1. z Gen. 18:27,30,32. Job 23:3- 5.42:3-6. Heb. 7:26. 9:24.
sacrifices. (Note, 31:38-40.)--These verses is well pleased," and whom "all the angels of were accomplished in the return of the Jews God worship?" And through him, all that befrom Babylon, and the judgments executed on lieve, become the people of God, and he betheir oppressors: yet the connexion confirms comes their Portion and Salvation. ( Marg . Ref . the opinion, that they will receive a more ex-u-z.-Notes, Num. 16:5-7. Heb . 7:1-3,23traordinary fulfilment, in the future dealings 28.9:24-26.)
of God with the nation of Israel and with all Nobles. (21) 'The Hebrew word Addiro is their oppressors. (Notes, Is. 14:1,2. 33:1.)- 'singular, and literally signifies "their mighty
Palace . (18) 'Either the temple or the king's
'house.' Lowth .
V. 19-21. ( Marg . Ref . o-t.- Notes , 33:10, 11. Ezra 3:8-11. Zech. 8:7-23.) ech . 8:7-23.) After the captivity, the Jews would have abundant cause for joy and thanksgiving: for the Lord promised that he would exceedingly multiply and prosper them: their posterity should be taken care of, as the children of the covenant, in the same manner as they had been in former ages; the nation should be established as his congregation, and their oppressors be severely punished.
They would also be governed by magistrates of their own nation, and not of the gentiles, as during the captivity; and even their chief governor would be raised up from among themselves: the Lord would cause him to draw near unto him, to inquire his will, and present his appointed worship; for who, (except thus taught, and drawn of God,) had ever engaged his heart to approach unto the Lord?
The prophecy was thus accomplished in some measure, by the increase and prosperity of the Jews in their own land, under the government of several rulers of their own nation: these, for a considerable time, were the high priests, who by office drew near before God, even into the most holy place, as the typical intercessors for the people whom they governed. Yet the Jews after the captivity, were seldom, if ever, free from dependence on strangers, and were frequently oppressed by them; and many of their rulers were very far from meriting the character here given.
But when Christ arose, and was advanced to the mediatorial throne, as High Priest and King in one person, and in this character drew near
'One;" a title given to God himself, Ps . 93:4. "They shall no more be governed by strangers, but shall have a ruler of their own nation; 'such as was Zerubbabel, a figure of Christ. 'He shall have a near attendance on me: for 1 'will make him a priest as well as a king, ac'cording to the prophecy concerning the Mes'sias, "Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." ... For who is there but the 'Messias, that is so entirely devoted to my ser'vice? The words Mihu ze , “Who is this?" 'have an emphasis in the original, that cannot 'be expressed in another language, and are 'spoken by way of admiration. Lowth . Zerubbabel was neither priest nor king, though ruler of the Jews under the kings of Persia: and to approach God in behalf of sinners, requires far more than merely devotedness to God.
V. 22. Marg . Ref . a.-- Notes , 31:1,10—14,33, 34.32:39-41. Ez . 11:17-20. 36:25-27. Hos. 1:21-23. Zech . 13:8,9. Heb. 8:7-13, υ. 10.
V. 23, 24. ( Note , 23:19,20.) These verses may be understood of those enemies of the Jews, who attempted to hinder their return to their own land, or who afterwards molested or oppressed them: in this sense, they were fulfilled in the subversion of the Babylonish empire, and in the slaughter of those, who sought the destruction of the Jews, in the days of Esther and Mordecai; and afterwards in the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes, and those who concurred in his cruel persecutions. But if we explain the preceding verses of Christ and his kingdom, and of events which shall occur in future times; these, most naturally, and consistently with the context, refer to the unbelieving Jews themselves, and to the terrible
before God, in behalf of his people, having en-ruiu which came on them, for wickedly reject
gaged his heart to pass through all his previous sufferings as their all-atoning sacrifice; the prediction was, in this respect, literally fulfilled: and when Israel and Judah shall believe in this Prince and Savior, and submit to him, they shall be restored to their own land; and the whole will be fully accomplished. But
ing and crucifying Christ, and opposing the setting up of his kingdom. These judgments came from "the fierce anger of the LORD," and the effects of them continue to this day: and in the latter days the nation of Israel will consider the rejection of that "Governor, who proceeded from themselves," as the cause of all
"who is this, that engages his heart to under- their miseries. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , Gen. 49: take so arduous a service?" Who is this, that 10. Zech . 12:9-14. Matt . 23:37-39.)- Latter ventures to intercede for sinners before a just days . (24) Notes, 48:47. Gen. 49:1,2. Num . 24: and holy God? Is he not "the Son of God," 14,23,24. Deut . 4:29-31. Is . 2:2-5. Hos. 3: and "the Lord of glory," "in whom the Father 4,5.