Jeremiah 8

Jeremiah 8:6

6. I hearkened and heard, &c.] God is next pleased to speak of Himself after the manner of men, as inclining his ear, and with the affection of a parent fondly listening to catch the first accents of sorrow and contrition that should break forth from the relenting heart of his offending child: “I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, ‘What have I done?’ No remorse, no reflection, no sensibility; hardened in vice, and regardless of danger, they pursued with fury and impetuosity their way to perdition; ’every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.’ Bp. Horne.

Jeremiah 8:7

7. Yea, the stock in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; &c.] This earnest expostulation and tender complaint are succeeded by a beautiful allusion to the birds of the air, that species of them styled “birds of passage.” They, by instinct, return annually, at a set time, to the country they had left; whereas, by all the reasoning, and all the exhortation in the world, obdurate man cannot be prevailed upon to forsake his iniquity, and return to God who made him. Bp. Horne.

— her appointed times; ] That is, such times as the Creator hath appointed these animals, and hath accordingly for this end imprinted on their natures such an instinct, as exciteeth and moveth them thus, at proper times, to fly from one place to another more convenient for them. Dr. Derham.

— the judgment of the Lord.] His law, or system of laws: that rule of moral conduct, which God prescribed for their observance; and which He furnished them with the means of knowing as certainly, as those birds of passage are taught by what we call natural instinct all that is convenient for them. See Isa. 1. 3. Dr. Blayney.

Jeremiah 8:8

8. How do ye say, We are wise, &c.] How do ye priests and scribes say, “We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us;” when in the mean time ye live contrary to it? Certainly, if this be to know, and make a right use of the law, the law should seem to be to small purpose, either in the making or writing of it. Bp. Hall.

— the pen of the scribes is in vain.] See notes at Ezra vii. 6; Matt. ii. 4. The expression in the text may relate to the answers, which those who were skilled in expounding the law gave in writing, when they were consulted in any difficult case: compare chap. xviii. 18. W. Lowth.

Jeremiah 8:9

9. The wise men are ashamed, &c.] Those that have made this profession of wisdom have shamed themselves by their unanswerable practice; lo, they have cast off

Or, the false pen of the scribes worketh for falsehood. b Chap. 6. 13. 2 Or, Have they been ashamed, &c. † Heb. the wisdom of what thing?

Jeremiah sheweth their grievous judgment, JEREMIAH. and becaileth their desperate estate.

c Iss. 56. 11. ch. 6. 13.

unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one deaieth falsely.

d Chap. 6. 14.