CHAP. XXXIX.
Jerusalem is taken, and burnt; Zedekiah is made prisoner, his sons slain, his eyes put out, and himself carried in chains to Babylon, with the remnant of the Jews; a few poor people ex- cepted, 1-10. Jeremiah is kindly used, by orders from Nebu- chadnezzar, 11-14. A message from God to Ebed-melech, assuring him of protection, 15-18.
IN Na the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Neb- uchadrezzar, king of Babylon, and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged
it.
2 And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.
9 Then 'Nebuzar-adan the #captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people, that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the
3 And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Shamgar-ne-people that remained. bo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.
4 And it came to pass that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls; and he went out by the way of the plain.
5 But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, i to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he judgment upon him.
gave
10 But Nebuzar-adan, the captain of the guard, left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave thein vineyards and fields at the
same time.
11 Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah, Ilto Nebuzar-adan, the captain of the guard, saying,
12 Take him, and "look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.
13 So
Nebuzar-adan the captain of
m Gen. 21:16. 44:34. Deut. 2 Kings 22:20. 2 Chr. Esth. 8:6. Is. 13:16. 24:8-10. 34:19-21.
28:34. 34:28. n 21:7.
ο 32:4,5. 52:11. 2 Kings 25:7. Ez. 12:13.
chief of the executioners, or, slaughter men, and so. 10,11, &c. Gen. 37:36. marg. s 10:18. 16:13. 20:4-6. 5228-30. Lev. 26:33. Deut. 4: 27. 2 Kings 20:18. Is. 5:13.
6 Then the king of Babylon slew the Heb. two brazen chains, or, 40:7. 2 Kings 25:12. Ez. 33:
a 52:4-7. 2 Kings 25:1,2. Ez. h See on 32:4,5. 38:18,23.-2 24 1,2. Zech. 8:19.
should not be too anxious about our own safe-censured by their own servants!-We are not, ty; but "declare the whole counsel of God," however, bound to speak all we know to gratand leave the event with him. Whilst menify our enemies, when no good end can be an
have only sone general convictions, and not a steady realizing faith, they will be "unstable in all their ways." ( Note , Jam . 1:5-8.) The fear of reproach will preponderate against the fear of almighty God: and every trifle will induce them to refuse that obedience, which alone can nsure their welfare and the life of their souls.
Thus men treat faithful monitors as enemies, and flattering sycophants as bosom-friends, and bring on themselves, by disobedience, the very evils which they dreaded from obedience; till "their feet sink in the mire," their selfish friends forsake them, and they involve their families and connexions of every kind with them in inevitable destruction. But when ministers faithfully counsel and warn powerful ungodly men, they may consider themselves as highly favored, if they are not put to death, or delivered up to the will of their enemies.
The less men fear God, the more they fear their fellow creatures; and often they dare not act according to their own judgments, consciences, or inclinations, lest they should be
swered: and a partial evasive answer, if not contrary to truth, is sufficient for an impertinent and malicious inquiry. We have then need to be "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
NOTES.
CHAP. XXXIX. V. 1-9. Marg. Ref. Notes , 2 Kings 25:1-10.- Broken . (2) 'Such 'breaches were made in the walls, that the 'army of the Chaldeans with their commanders 'entered, and took possession of the city.' Lowth . Zedekiah , &c. (4) 'Instead of sub'mitting,... as Jeremiah advised him, (38:17,18.) Zedekiah endeavored to make his escape.' Ibid . Riblah . (5) 'Most interpreters suppose this city to be the same which was called An'tioch, in after times, when it was re-edified by 'Seleucus.' Ibid .-- Gave judgment .] 'As one 'who had broke his oath of fidelity. Jona .
V. 10. Notes, 40:4-16. 41: 2 Kings 25:12 22-26.
the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rabsa-||saith the LORD; and thou shalt not be givris, and Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, and all the king of Babylon's princes;
14 Even they sent and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and a committed him unto Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.
15 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,
16 Go, and speak to d Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accom plished in that day before thee.
17 But I will deliver thee in that day,
15. 37:21. 38:13,28. 40:1
4. Ps. 105:19,20.
40:5-16. 41:1-3. 2 Kings 25:22-25.
See on 26:24.
en into the hand of the men, h of whom thou art afraid.
18 For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee; be cause thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.
24:8-10. 26:15,18,20. 32:28, 29. 34:2,3,22. 35:17. 36:31. 44:28,29. Josh. 23:14,15. 2h 38:1,9. Gen. 15:1.
Chr. 36:21. Dan. 9:12. Zech. i 21:9. 38:2. 45:4,5. 1:6. Matt. 24:35.
V. 11-14. Nebuchadnezzar must have heard frequently of Jeremiah's predictions, nany of which were now fulfilled; and this would dispose him to respect his character. He had likewise no doubt been informed that the prophet had suffered many things, for advising the Jews to surrender. The prophet was therefore set at liberty to go home to Anathoth or elsewhere, as he pleased, and accordingly he at length joined the remnant under Gedaliah. ( Notes , 40:1,6.)
V. 15-18. This message was sent to Ebedmelech before the taking of the city. He seems to have been greatly afraid of the princes, whom he had offended by his kindness to Jeremiah: but the Lord assured him, that they would in a very little time be deprived of power; for the city would soon be destroyed. And at the same time, he was assured of protection in that catastrophe: he should escape with his life, whilst others fell by the sword; seeing he had trusted in the Lord, and exposed himself to danger, by rescuing his prophet from his powerful persecutors.
It is worth remarking, that his confidence in God , rather than his kindness to Jeremiah, is assigned as the special reason of the promise here made to him. Had he been kind to the prophet, merely from humanity or inferior motives, it would not have been noticed in this manner: but, exerting himself to deliver a prophet "in the name of a prophet, he received a prophet's reward." ( Marg . Ref .-- Notes , Matt . 10:40-42. 25:31-46.)- For a prey. (18) Notes , 21:8-10, ν . 9. 45:4,5.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. "He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly perish, and that without remedy:" and they, who will not credit the words of God, will be dreadfully convinced by the event, that not one of them fails of accomplishment. They fatally err, who mistake reprieves for pardons; and they labor in vain, who attempt to resist or elude the executioners of divine vengeance. External sanctity will be equally unavailing, with magnificence, or strong fortifications, to defend sinners against
k 17:7,8. Ruth 2:12.
1 Chr. 5:20. Ps. 2:12. 33:18. 34:22. 37:3,40. 84:12. 146:3-6. 147: 11. Is. 26:3,4. Eph. 1:12,13. 1 Pet. 1:21
a 39:11-14.
b 31:15. Josh. 18:25. 1 Sam. 7:17.
cPs. 68:6. 107:16. Acts 12:6, 7. 21:13. 28:20. Eph. 6:20. marg .
* Or, manacles .
deserved wrath: and their obstinacy often occasions the misery and destruction of their children, relatives, and neighbors, as well as their own.-How precarious are carthly possessions! And how soon they are shifted from one hand to another, especially in times of public calamity! But whether the Lord makes men poor or rich, nothing can durably profit them, whilst they cleave to their sins.
The servants of God alone are prepared for all events: they are delivered and comforted, when the wicked are suffering for their crimes; and they often meet with more respect and kindness from the profane, or from idolaters, than from hypocrites and formalists. God, however, will raise them up friends, and do them good, and perform all his promises to them. "In every nation, he that feareth God, and worketh righteousness, is accepted of him:" ( Notes , Acts 10:34,35.) and he will reward men for the kindness which they shew to his people for his sake.
He gives encouragement to his servants, according to their perils, fears, and trials; and will never suffer those to be confounded or perish, who trust in his mercy and obey his commandments. And if it be a great favor for those, who live in perilous times, to have their "life given them for a prey;" what cause shall we have for gratitude, if we escape the temptations, and are carried through the trials, of this evil world, and finally obtain the eternal salvation of our souls!
NOTES.