CHAP. XXXVIII.
2 Thus saith the LORD; He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall
Teremiah, being accused of disheartening the people by his live; for he shall have his life for a prey, in speaking such words unto them: for this || done evil in all that they nave done to Jer man seeketh not the * welfare of this peo-emiah the prophet, whom they have cas
prophecies, is cast into a miry dungeon, 1-6. He is taken out at the suit of Ebed-melech, an Ethiopian, and by him, 7-13. In a private conference, he counsels Zedekiah to save himself and the city, by surrendering, 14-23. Zedekiah re
quiring him, he conceals what had passed from the princes;
and remains in the court of the prison, till the taking of the city, 24-28.
HEN a Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, dheard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,
m 38:9. 52:6. Deut. 28:52-57.
2 Kings 25:3. Lam. 2:11,12,19, 20. 4:4,5,9,10. 5:10.
n 38:13,28. 39:14.15. Acts 12:5. 24:27. 28:16,30. Eph. 4:1. 6:20. 2 Tim. 1:8. 2:9.
a Ezra 2:4. Neh. 7:9. b 37:3. Jehucal.
c 21:1. Melchiah. 1 Chr. 9:12. Malchijah. Neh. 11:12.
d Acts 4:1,2,6-10. 5:28.
ble time, namely, till the Chaldeans returned and renewed the siege.
V. 17-21. The princes of Jehoiakim had been more favorable to the prophet than their king, and more afraid of his displeasure. ( Note , 36:19.) But Zedekiah was less inveterate than his princes, and afraid of them in favoring him. When Jeremiah was interrogated about "the word from the LORD," he neither concealed nor softened his message, but plainly told the king, that he would be "delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon:" yet he meant to plead for favor, and to present his supplication to him; to which this might have been deemed a very impolitic preface.
But he had truth, reason, justice, and the king's conscience, on his side; and he needed no subterfuges or artifices. He could appeal to Zedekiah, that he had not offended him or his princes, except by faithfully declaring the word of God: and the flattering prophets, who had promised them peace, were convicted by the event of being deceivers. Surely then he ought not to be sent back to his noisome dungeon, where he must shortly die by famine or disease!
Zedekiah was induced, in some measure, to grant his request, yet he still kept him confined: and though he gave orders that he should be supplied with food, so as to secure him from dying for want; his sustenance was mean and scanty, and he was soon after treated with the greatest cruelty. ( Notes , 38:1-6.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Numbers witness the fatal effects of other men's sins, and yet heedlessly step into their places, and proceed in the same destructive course: and many, who pay no regard to the instructions and warnings of faithful ministers, will, in great extremities, desire their prayers. -Every respite given to hardened sinners encourages their presumption: they trust to fallacious appearances, and despise the word of God; and they deceive themselves by vain words, till "wrath comes upon them to the uttermost." But, whatever present appearances may be, the scriptures must be fulfilled; and the feeblest, most unlikely, or despised persons, will suffice to execute the vengeance of God, and to disappoint the confidence of those who rebel against him. It is unspeakably wearisome to zealous ministers, to witness those crimes and miseries, which they cannot prevent: and cruel treatment, united
and shall live.
with ill success, is apt to render them reluctant to their work, and disposed to court privacy and obscurity. But every step which they take will be misrepresented by perverse opposers: the most disinterested friends of their country are frequently treated as traitors or rebels, and the most upright and blameless accused of the worst of crimes; and such calumnies will meet with more credit, than all their asseverations and pleas in their own behalf.
Thus, whilst the enemies of God have lodged in palaces and indulged in luxury; his faithful servants have been suffering with wounds, loaded with ignominy and fetters, immured in loathsome dungeons, or dying by famine or torture.
But ere long it will be said of the afflicted believer, and to the prosperous sinner, "Now he is comforted, and thou art tormented." (Note, Luke 16:24-26.)-Many secretly favor the servants of God, who, through fear of man and love of sin, will not follow their counsel.-No respect of persons or carnal policy must warp the plain and direct testimony of the faithful minister, even when addressing himself to the proudest and most powerful of the sons of men, whose frown he has most cause to fear, and from whose favor he might hope for many temporal advantages.
Yet, as far as consists with his faithfulness, he may properly reason with those who injuriously treat him; inquire what offence he has committed by plainly speaking the word of God; and shew that they who flatter them, are proved to be deceivers by evident facts, and stand condemned even in the consciences of those, who suffer themselves to be deluded by them: and even they, who are most ready to die for the truth, may and ought to use lawful means of self-preservation, and of obtaining fairer treatment.
All this, however, should be done with great meekness, without reproaches or acrimonious complaints: and the bolder any man is in the cause of God, the more gentle, patient, and pliant should he be about his own concerns: his message must be delivered with authority over the consciences even of the greatest princes; but he should be ready to speak with deference and submission, and as a supplicant, when pleading his own cause.
The Lord has all hearts in his hands, and can incline his enemies to favor his servants, as much as he sees good: yet those who would be faithful to him, must prepare for enduring hardship and tribulation in this evil world.
ple, but the hurt.
5 Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: * for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.
6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him 'into the dungeon of Malchiah the son t of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: m and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.
7 Now when • Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, one of the a eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; ('the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;)
8 Ebed-melech went forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying,
9 My lord the king, these men have
* Heb. peace. 29:7.
Zech. 9:11.
NOTES.
CHAP. XXXVIII. V. 1–6. Some of these persons were sent by Zedekiah to Jeremiah, to inquire concerning the event of the siege, and to desire his prayers. (21:1,2. 37:3.)-'The 'answer which he returned by them to the 'king, he afterward published to all the peo'ple; which was the occasion of the new trou'bles, recorded in this chapter.' Lowth . (Notes, 21:4-10.27:12-15.37:6-10.)-Though confined in the court of the prison, Jeremiah continued to prophecy; and those who had access to him, made known to all the people his predictions.
This greatly offended the princes, who determined to defend themselves to the last extremity; and they resolved to put him to death.
They therefore represented him to the king, as an enemy to the nation, who intentionally sought their hurt; though his labors, sufferings, tears, and supplications abundantly proved his fervent love to them: and Zedekiah (who seems to have been a prince of slender capacity, and who was greatly under the power of his nobles, by reason of his difficult circumstances,) would not venture any thing to protect him, but abjectly left him in the hands of his enemies; though with some indication of resentment, at their opposition to his more clement intentions. ( Note , 37:17-21.) Having thus extorted the king's consent, the malicious princes without delay,
into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is; for there is no more bread in the city.
10 Then "the king commanded Ebed melech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon before he die.
11 So Ebed-melech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts, and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah,
12 And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine arm-holes, under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.
13 So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.
Heb. will die.
37:21. 52:6.
[Practical Observations.]
u Esth. 5:2. 8:7. Ps. 75:10. Prov. 21:1.
Heb. in thine hand.
'which are set down in the third chapter o. 'the Lamentations. Lowth . (Notes, Lam . 3:52 --57.)-Hammelech signifies the king : ( Marg .) the dungeon seems to have belonged to one of Zedekiah's sons. (32:2. 36:26. 39:6.)
V.7-13. We have here an example of fortitude and active kindness as noble, as the conduct of the princes was base and disingenuous. Ebed-melech, a Cushite, a stranger, perhaps a negro, whose name seems to imply that he had been the king's slave, though now preferred, was employed to deliver the prophet, and to shame the Jews.
Hearing that Jeremiah had been cast into the dungeon; he, without hesitation or delay, and without fearing the wrath of the nobles, boldly went to Zedekiah, when engaged in public business; and plainly told him, that they had done wickedly in acting in so cruel a manner towards the prophet of God; and that he must soon perish with hunger in the dungeon.
By this representation he obtained from the king a commission to rescue Jeremiah, and a guard to protect him in this service, which he performed with great promptitude and tenderness; and thus saved a most valuable life, though not without the hazard of his own. ( Note , 39: 15-18.)
To die for hunger. (9) 'They needed not to 'have put him into the dungeon; he would 'have died of hunger, without adding the cru
caused the prophet to be let down into a dun- 'elty of that punishment; "for there is, &c.""
geon, or pit, where he sunk in the mire, and must soon miserably have perished: it appears to have been the bottom of the dungeon and cells before described. ( Note , 37:16.) Probably, they intended to have then given out that he died in prison; and perhaps this dungeon was prepared for such silent executions. 'Some think that when he was in this dismal 'place, he made those mournful meditations,
Lowth . This, however, does not seem to be the obvious meaning of the words: and perhaps Ebed-melech was not aware, what a dreadful place the dungeon was, in which the prophet must soon have been suffocated in the mire, or killed by the exhalations of so noisome a pit; but was fully assured that, being confined and out of sight, he would perish by hunger; for none would carry him any food,
14 Then Zedekiah the king a sent, || Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deinto the * third entry that is in the house of liver me into their hand, and they 1 mock the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremi-me.
ah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.
15 Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, f I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?
16 So Zedekiah the king sware se cretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life .
17 Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house.
18 But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.
19 And Zedekiah the king said unto
f See on 1-6. 34:20.
g 2. 7:6,7. 21:8-10, 27:12, 17. Job 23:13.
h 2 Kings 24:12. 25:27-30. i 2,23. 24:8-10. 32:3-5. 34: 2,3,19-22. 39:5-7. 52:7-11. 2 Kings 25:4-10. Ez. 12:13. 17:20,21. 21:25-27.
when the famine in the city became extreme. (37:21.)
V. 14-16. Jeremiah could not but consider Zedekiah as concerned in the cruelty, with which he had been treated; yet he made no complaints. He was not, however, forward to repeat those warnings and counsels, which seemed only to endanger his own life, and to
20 But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee . m Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee; so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.
21 But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the Lord hath shewed me:
22 And, behold, Pall the women that are left in the king of Judah's house, shall be brought forth to the king of Babylon's princes, and those women shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against thee; 'thy feet are sunk in the mire, and they are turned away back.
23 So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans; and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire.
k 5. 1 Sam. 15:24. Job 31:34.
Prov. 29:25. Is. 51:12,13, 57: 11. John 12:42. 19:12,13. 122. Judg. 9:54. 16:25. Sam. 31:4. Is. 45:9,10.
m 26:13. Dan. 4:27. Acts 26: 29. 2 Cor. 5:11,20. 6:1. Phil- em. 8-10.
n 5:3. Ex. 10:3,4. 16:28. Job 34:33. Prov. 1:24-31. Is. 1:20. Heb. 12:25.
ο 15:19--21. 26:15. Num. 23: 19,20, 24:13. Job 23:13. Ez.
2:4,5,7. 3:17-19. Acts 18:6. 20:26,27.
p 41:10. 43:6, Lam. 5:11. Heb. The men of thy peace. 4-6. 20:10. Ps. 41:9. Marg. q 19.
r See on 6. Ps. 69:2,14. 8 46:5,21. Lam. 1:13.
t 18. 39:6. 52:10. 2 Kings 25:7. 2 Chr. 36:20,21.
Heb. shalt burn, &c. 27:12, 13. Ez. 14:9. 43:3.
V. 17-19. Notes , 1-6,20-23. 27:12-15. Mock me. (19) Zedekiah was conscious, that he had acted basely, in violating his oath to the king of Babylon; and that he was considered by many of the Jews, as having brought ruin and infamy on his country, by his impolitic and dishonorable conduct.
hold, being respecting
increase the guilt t of the king. The prophet 'had such experience of the unsteadiness of 'the king's temper, of his backwardness in 'following good counsel, and want of courage 'to stand by those that durst advise him well; 'that he might with good reason resolve not 'to venture his life, to serve a man, that was 'in a manner incapable of being directed.' Lowth. It does not appear, that he was charged with any message at this time to Zedekiah; though informed of the will of God respecting him.
The questions proposed by the prophet implied, that he required Zedekiah to promise not to put him to death; and that he would follow his counsel, as the condition of his declaring the word of God. Some read the last without an interrogation; "Thou wilt not hearken to me." The king, however, made no promise of complying with his counsel; but he engaged with a solemn oath, by the living JEHOVAH, the Giver of their lives and souls, that he would neither put him to death, nor leave him in the hands of his enemies. (Marg Ref . d-f.)- Third entry. (14) Notes , 1 Kings 10:5. 2 Kings 16:17,18.
Ez . 44:1-3. 46:1-9.
V. 20-23. The prophet could not alter his message; and if Ze lekiah feared the contempt of man more than the wrath of God, he must take the consequence. ( .Votes , Is . 51:7,8. Matt . 10:27,28.) He, however, assured him, that the mockery which he feared, should not come on him, if he obeyed God: but, on the contrary, that he should meet with kind usage and preserve his life.
But if he refused to comply with this humiliating counsel, he must be previously informed, that the women of his household, being delivered up to the princes of Babylon, lon, would certainly upbraid him in his calamities, for trusting to his friends; who, having seduced him from his allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar, and engaged him in the unequal contest, had prevailed against him to his ruin; and, having entangled him in inextricable difficulties, as if his feet sunk in the mire, had left him to his doom, and turned back from him to secure themselves.
Thus his wives and children would fall into the hands of the enraged conquerors: and all the cruelty inflicted on them, as well as his own miseries, and the burning of the city and temple, would be the effect of his obstinacy, and be considered as his crime; seeing that he might have
[385 24 Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, 27 Then came all the princes unto JerLet no man know of these words, and thouemiah, and asked him: " and he told them shalt not die.
prevented them by submitting to the Chaldeans. Are turned, &c. (22) 37:7. Note, Lam.
4:17.
V. 24-28. Zedekiah would not follow the prophet's advice; nay, he even seems to have hesitated as to his oath of protecting him, and to have substituted for it a conditional promise. He was slavishly afraid of the princes. He supposed that they would certainly hear of this intervi interview; and he required Jeremiah to inform them, that he had petitioned the king not to send him again to the dungeon in Jonathan's house. ( Notes , 37:16-21.) As this, doubtless, was truth, and as the princes had no right to be informed of all that had passed, Jeremiah complied; and was thus preserved in the court of the prison till the city was taken. ( Note , 39:11--14.) This seems to have been his last interview with Zedekiah.-What a
according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they *left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived.
28 So Jeremiah zabode in the court of the prison, until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalen was taken.
y 1 Sam. 10:15,16. 16:2-5. 2 2 13. 15:20,21. 37:21. 39:14.
Kings 6:19. Acts 23:6. * Heb. were silent from him.
Ps. 23:4. 2 Tim. 3:11. 4:17,18.
tion. ( Notes , Matt . 27:24,25. John 19 : 8—12 . ) — Man's cruel ingenuity has invented various methods of torture and destruction; and persecutors have always always been most remarkable for refinement in cruelty. Besides the numbers, who have been openly openly tortured and put to death; it will never be known, how many servants of God have been privately murdered, before that time, when "the earth shall disclose her blood, and no more cover her slain." ( Notes , Is . 26:20,21.)--But till the "witnesses have finished their testimony," the malice of their enemies mast be frustrated: ( Notes , Rev. 11:7-12.) for God will raise up instruments for their protection, where they might have been least expected. Equity, humanity, piety, and zealous boldness in a good cause, have been found in persons of every climate, complexion, or rank in life: and the Lord often
view do these verses give of the extreme wick-chooses those, who by birth, education, and
edness and impiety, prevalent in Judah, especially in the superior orders! Whatever was inquired of this most eminent and excellent servant of God, and friend to his people, or proposed to him, by either the king or his nobles; the highest recompense was a promise that he should not be put to death! A promise, which could not in the smallest degree be depended on.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1-13.
Nothing but close confinement or death can totally silence the zealous servant of God: whatever he suffers or fears, he cannot but fulfil his ministry, as he has opportunity; and he cannot consent to any alteration or compromise respecting it.--Submission to Providence, and to those who obtain the pre-eminence, is very contrary to the proud heart of man.
But though liberty is very valuable, and worthy to be preserved at a great price; yet we must not rebel against God, or throw away our lives, if he please to permit us to be deprived of it.Those who point out to men the only way of safety and happiness, and who spend themselves in the most disinterested manner, to promote their present and future welfare, must in many cases expect to be deemed enemies, and worthy of death, for declaring the whole truth!
Doubtless their counsels and warnings tend to weaken the hands of those who fight against God; their words run counter to the projects and lusts, and are uneasy to the consciences, of ungodly men; and therefore they conclude that they seek the hurt, and not the welfare, of the people. Thus the wicked, when armed with power, are pushed forward to persecution; while such as secretly favor those who are persecuted, often do not think it worth while to risk any thing for their protec
outward circumstances, labor under peculiar disadvantages; in order to shame the conduct of degenerate professors of true religion.Even the retirements or engagements of princes should be interrupted, to prevent the shedding of innocent blood.
In such a cause we should not fear either the displeasure of man, or any personal consequence; for where so great evil is about to be done, decided plain language is becoming, though the greatest princes be the perpetrators of the mischief. (Note, Prov. 24:11,12.)-They, who use their influence in the fear of God, to prevent injustice, oppression, or murder, may expect that he will protect and prosper them: and those timid tempers which are easily seduced into sinful compliances, may often be as easily engaged by firm expostulation, to retract, and to prevent the consequences.
Promptitude and tenderness should always concur in our efforts to relieve the distressed; and the manner of shewing kindness is sometimes as expressive and as agreeable, as the favor itself.
V. 14-28.
The man of God must never yield to resentment, or suffer himself to be "overcome of evil:" he must ever be ready to give good counsel, and to promote the salvation of those who have most deeply injured him: he ought to do any thing to win upon them, except flattering them, or offending his Lord. It is not always necessary to exasperate proud men, by repeated warnings, which they have often heard in vain. It may be proper to appeal to their consciences, whether they be not determined against doing the will of God, though they pretend to inquire after it. And it may sometimes be prudent to require of them promises, that they will not resent or punish us for what is spoken. Yet if any relenting appear, and there be even a distant hope of succeeding, we