CHAP. XXXVI. V.1-3. This was twentythree years from the thirteenth of Josiah, when the prophet was first appointed to his office. (Notes, 1:1-3. 25:1-7. 30:1-3.)-The Lord foresaw, that the people would not hear and obey: ey: but it was proper that the prophet should do every thing, which could tend to awaken their attention. His endeavors might be useful to individuals, and the rebels would thus appear the more inexcusable. These and 'such like expressions do likewise import, that 'God's foreknowledge of future events does not 'put any force upon men's will, or take away 'the liberty of human actions.' Lowth . (Marg. Ref .-Notes, 18:7-10. 22:2-5. Deut . 5:28,29.) -Roll , &c. (2) Marg . Ref . b.- Notes , Ez . 2:9,
10. Rev. 5:1-4.
V. 4. Jeremiah does not seem to have possessed the skill "of a ready writer;" and therefore Baruch, who might be a more learned man, was employed as his secretary. ( Rom . 16:22. Gal . 6:11.) We frequently read of him, as the assistant and companion of Jeremiah; ( Marg . Ref . 1.-32:12,16. Notes, 45:) but the apochryphal book which bears his name, seems to be altogether a forgery.
V. 5. 'He was under confinement, probably 'for having given offence to the king, or the 'great men, by his prophecies: a calamity which 'often befel him.' Lowth . ( Notes , 20:1-6.) See 33:1. 39:15. Heb. where the same word is used as in this place.
V. 6, 7. Some think, that this was the great day of expiation, called by way of eminence,
hath pronounced against this people.
8 And Baruch the son of Neriah "did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading in the book the words of the LORD in the Lord's house.
9 And it came to pass in the fifth гв. с year of Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, 606. king of Judah, in the ninth month, that they proclaimed a fast before the Lord to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people that came from the cities of Judah unto Jerusalem.
10 Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah, the son of Shaphand the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD's house, in the ears of all the people.
11 When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of words of the Lord;
the book all the
u 4. 1:17. Matt. 16:24. 1 Cor. 16:10. Phil. 2:19-22. x See on 1.
y Lev. 23:27. 2 Chr. 20:3. Neh. 9:1. Esth. 4:16. Is. 58:1-3. Joel 1:13. 2:12-17. Jon. 3:5. Zech. 7:5,6. 8:19.
z 6.
a See on 35:4. b 11,25.
c See on 11. 26:24. 29:3.
d 52:25. 2 Sam. 8:17. 20:25. 2 Kings 18:37.
↑ Or, door . 26:10. 2 Kings 15:35. e 10. 2 Kings 22:12-14. 25:22 2 Chr. 34:20.
the fast, ( Notes , Lev . 16: Acts 27:9.) though not elsewhere so named; ( Note , Lev . 16:29-31 . ) but others suppose it to have been a fast, which was observed on account of the calamitous state of the nation. 'He sheweth, that fasting, 'without prayer and repentance, availeth noth'ing, but is mere hypocrisy.' ( Notes , 1-3. Is. 58:1-7.)
V. 8-10. As the command was given in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, and the fifth year is here mentioned; many expositors are of opinion that the roll was twice read; once in the fourth year when it was little noticed, and afterwards in the fifth year. And as Jeremiah was shut up, when he first ordered Baruch to read the roll; but had liberty to make his escape after it had been read, (5,19.) they conclude that two distinct readings must be intended.
Others think, that the writing of the roll might take up a considerable time; and that it was deemed expedient to wait for the fasting day, as the most convenient time for reading it, which was in the fifth year of Jehoiakim; and that Jeremiah was not shut up in prison, but confined from going to the temple, by some other hindrance: ( Note , 5.) and, though he was at liberty when the notice was taken of Baruch's reading the roll, yet he had not gone up to the temple to read it himself.
It is indeed a matter of little impo the arguments of those who think it was twice read, are to me most satisfactory. In this case, it is sup supposed, that the first time, was on the great day of atonement; and that soon after Nebuchadnezzar took Jerusalem, and made Jehoiakim captive. ( Note , 2 Kings 24:1,2, Dan . 1:1,2.) But, having ving made submissions to the victor, he was restored to the throne; and just after this, the roll was read the second time on a fast, proclaimed and observed in commemoration of that first taking of Jerusalem; and which has ever since been annual
importance: yet
and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.
13 Then Michaiah * declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people.
14 Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thine hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah " took the roll in his hand, and came unto
them.
ly observed by the Jews on the eighteenth day of the ninth month. -Chamber , &c. (10) Note , 35:1-4.
V. 11-13. Though the fast was proclaimed by authority; (9) yet it does not appear, that either the king or his princes attended the observance of it at the temple. Nor can it be determined, whether Michaiah meant to call the attention of the princes to the word of God, or to inform them against Baruch. Baruch had the use of Gemariah's chamber, who was father to Michaiah; and probably it was by his consent; (10) and Ahikam, another of Shaphan's sons, protected Jeremiah on a similar occasion. ( Note , 26:24.) Yet it does not appear, that either Gemariah or Ahikam was present when the roll was read.
V.14-16. ( Marg . Ref . ) 'The judgments denounced were so terrible as to make the ears of them that heard them to tingle. (19:3.) Lowth . The godly were afraid, seeing God 'was so offended; and the wicked were aston'ished at the horror of the punishment.'
[Practical Observations.]
20 And they went in to the king into the court, (but "they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe,) and told all the words in the ears of the king.
21 So the king sent * Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king.
22 Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.
23 And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.
24 Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.
25 Nevertheless d Elnathan, and Delaiah, and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll; but he would not hear them.
miah's prophecies: and they might ask this apparently frivolous question, in order to silence the alarins excited by considering it as the word of God, and in full force against them. ( Note , 43:3) But Baruch, with great simplicity, so answered their question, as to shew that he only acted as amanuensis to Jeremiah, and wrote verbatim what he had dictated to him. (John 9:10,11,15,26,27. Note, Prov. 26:4,5.)
V. 19. The princes had some conviction, that this was a message from God, and were not disposed to persecute Baruch or Jeremiah: yet they would not duly regard the divine authority, or venture the king's displeasure. He must be informed; and they were aware that he would attempt to apprehend Jeremiah and Baruch, and therefore they advised them to conceal themselves. (Notes, 5,26. 26:1624.)
V. 20-25. It was scarcely possible for a man to shew more contempt and defiance of God, than Jehoiakim did on this occasion. The predictions which he had heard, had been delivered during a long course of years, by a prophet of established reputation: many of his
V. 17, 18. Perhaps the princes supposed, that Baruch had written his roll from memory; and that it was rather to be considered as his composition , than as the substance of Jere-prophecies had already been fulfilled; as Je
26 But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of * Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet; & but the LORD hid them.
27 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,
28 Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned.
29 And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; * Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, m The king of Babylon shall certainly come and
* Or, the king.
f 2:30, 26:21-23. 1 Kings 19: 1-3,10,14. Matt. 23:34-37. 26:47-50. John 7:32. 8:20. 11:57.
g 5,19, 1:19. 15:20,21. 1 Kings 17:3,9. 18:4,10-12. 2 Kings 6:18-20. Ps. 27:5. 32:7. 57: 1. 64:2. 91:1. 121:8. Is. 26:20. John 3:59. Acts 12:11.
h See on 23.
i 28:13,14, 44:28. Job 23:13. Zech. 1:5,6. Matt. 24:35. 2 Tim. 2:13.
k Deut. 29:19. Job 15:24-27. 40:8-10. Is. 45:9. Acts 5:39. 1 Cor. 10:22.
126:9. 32.3. Is. 29:21. 30:10. Acts 5:28.
m 21:4-7,10. 28:8. 32:28-30. 34:21,22.
destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?
30. Therefore thus saith the LORD of Jehoiakim king of Judah; "He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: o and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.
31 And I will t punish him and his seed, and his servants for their iniquity: and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not.
32 Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book, which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: sand there were added besides unto them + many like words.
occasion: while the sentence denounced against him, not being immediately executed, and the prophet apparently silenced, he would be the more hardened in treating the whole as a delusion or imposture.
hoiakim's late captivity, and his state of subjection to Nebuchadnezzar, proved: and they were all coincident with the written word of God, and were addressed immediately to him and his princes. Yet he treated them with utmost disregard; and deliberately burned the roll, as if the destruction of the sentence could have prevented its execution! ( Notes , Deut . 28:68. 29:18-25.) And, though his princes were not so abs absolutely hardened in impiety, but entreated him not to burn the roll; yet it was a great proof of their insensibility, that they rent not their clothes, and shewed no no tokens of grief or consternation, either when the roll was read, or when it was so impiously destroyed. Compare Jehoiakim's conduct with that of his father Josiah, in circumstan-not of Mary. ( Notes , 22:28-30. Matt . 1:2-17.
ces not totally dissimilar; which indeed seems to be referred to, by way of contrast. ( Notes , 2 Kings 22:8-11. Prov . 29:1. Ez . 9:3,4.)
Three or four leaves . (23) "Sections.". Blay ney. "Columns," or several partitions, into 'which the breadth of the parchment was di'vided.' Lowth. Σελίδες. Sept.
V.26. The son of Hammelech .] "Of the king." Marg . ( Notes , 38:1-6, v. 6. 1 Kings 22:26,27.) -Hid , &c.] Jeremiah and Baruch, by divine direction, lay concealed in some place, where their persecutors could not find them. ( Marg . Ref . f, g.- Notes , 1 Kings 17:2,3,9. 18:10.)
31. ( Marg . Ref . Note , 22:13-19.) Jeconiah sat a very short time on his father's throne; and, being carried captive to Babylon, he was succeeded by his uncle Zedekiah. No other of Jehoiakim's race was king over Judah, though some of them had authority authority under the kings of Persia. Mary the mother of our Lord was not descended from Solomon, but from Nathan, the son of David. Jeconiah indeed is mentioned in our Lord's genealogy by St. Matthew; but that is the line of Joseph. Luke 3:23-38.)
V. 32. Though the wicked think to have 'abolished the word of God, when they have 'burnt the book thereof: yet this declareth that 'God will not only raise it up again, but also 'increase it in greater abundance to their con'demnation.'-During the persecutions, which the Papists carried on against the reformers, and others whom they called heretics; the burning of Bibles was a very common and most impious practice, to which this observation refers. ( Note , Ez . 2:9,10.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1-19.
V.27-29. Marg . Ref . To Jehoiakim . (29) 'Or, "of Jehoiakim:" for this command seems 'to have been given to Jeremiah, during the 'time of his concealment.' Lowth . Or, "against Jehoiakim." This is the latest prophecy of Jeremiah, in which Jehoiakim is mentioned, or which is dated from the years of his reign; except the message to Baruch, nearly at the same time; ( Note , 45:1-3, v. 1.) though he liv-and they must "declare his whole counsel,"
ed about six years afterwards. (9. 25:1. 26:1.) -Perhaps the prophet lay concealed, during that whole time, from the blood-thirsty rage of the king: at least he was directed to let him alone, as one given up to a reprobate mind, for his daring impiety and wickedness on this
Faithful ministers must use every method of awakening the consciences of sinners, "if peradventure God will give them repentance, t the acknowledging of the truth." ( Note , 2 Tim 3:23-26, v . 25.) His revealed word, and no his secret purpose, is the rule of their conduct;
whether men will hear or forbear, and without desisting because of ill success. ( Notes . Ez . 2:3-5. Acts 20:18-27.)-'The Lord declares the evil, which he purposes to do against sin ners; that they may "hear, and fear, and return from their evil ways." They who thus improve
reformation,
nis warnings, in dependence on his promised mercy, will find him ready to forgive all their iniquities: and others will be left without excuse.-Different advantages result from the proposal of truth, by word of mouth, and by writing: the former is generally more copious, particular, energetic, and affecting; the latter more exact, compendious, and permanent.
Both should then be used, "according to the ability that God giveth to every man."-Many attend on the outward forms of Religion, and profess humiliation, mortification, and devotion, who are not humbled for their sins, and who do not mortify their lusts, "present their supplication before the LORD," or return from their evil ways. (Notes, Is . 1:10-20. 58:1-7. Zech. 7:4-7.) Yet, when multitudes are collected together on such occasions, the ministers of God may find a favorable opportunity of calling them to repentance, and warning them to flee from impending judgments.
But national fasts without national reformation, will avail little to turn away the wrath of God; especially when they, who appoint such solemnities, do not so much as sanction them by their own example!-A faithful declaration of divine truth will attract some attention: but in general it reaches last the ears of those, who are most advanced in rank and authority; and too often finds them most closed against it.
Even such as have some conviction of the truth and importance of what they hear, and are disposed to favor those employed in preaching it, are so surrounded with persons of another character, and have so many reserves about their own safety, ease, reputation, interest, or preferment; that they often dare not act according to their convictions, but endeavor to silence them as soon as they can, by one evasion or another: and they often flatter themselves into a persuasion, that they act nobly in their circumstances, if they do not take an active part in persecution, but covertly shelter the servants of God from the rage of their enemies.
But those who would "follow the LORD wholly," and be indeed the disciples of Christ, must be prepared to venture and suffer every thing in his cause.
Jeremiah, saying, 'Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.
4 Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people: & for they had not put him into prison.
5 Then Pharaoh's army was гв. с. [ come forth out of Egypt: and when L 589. the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they departed from Jerusalem.
6 Then came the word of the LORD unto the prophet Jeremiah, saying,
7 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to inquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land:
8 And the Chaldeans shall come again,
f 42:2-4,20. Ex. 8:8,28. 9:11. 34:21. 28. 10:17. Num. 21:7. 1 Sam, 12:19. 1 Kings 13:6.
Acts 8:24.
g 15. 32:2,3.
h 7. 2 Kings 24:7. Ez. 17:15.
k 3. 21:2. 2 Kings 22:18.
1 17:5,6. Prov. 21:30. Is. 30:1 31:1-3. Lam. 4:17.
-6.
Ez. 17:17. 29:6,7,16.
V. 20-32.
There are degrees of guilt even among the ungodly; and condemnation will be proportioned to them. Some rapidly arrive at the height of impiety and presumption; and none more so, than they who have broken off from a religious education. Many act, as if their outrages against the word of God could save them from the condemnation denounced by it; or as if their irrational infidelity could invalidate all the demonstrations which are given of its divine original, and render the sacred oracles of none effect!
But such persons should be open openly opposed, whatever their rank in life or abilities may be; and a few gentle persuasions do not form a sufficient testimony testim against their in impiety: but their contempt of God's word should be noticed with unequivocal tokens of disapprobation, concern, yea, abhorrence.The Lord himself will protect these who are valiant for his truth, from all their enemies, until they "have finished their testimony;" and then it is of small consequence, by what means they are removed to heaven.
But all their opposers will treasure up wrath, and add to the weight of that condemnation, of which they would not endure to be told: for God will "honor those who honor him," and in proportion as men despise him, they must sink into contempt and misery.
NOTES.