Jeremiah 1

above forty years, and is said by St. Jerome, in his argument to this prophecy, to have been stoned to death at Tahapanes in Egypt, whither he and the remains of the Jews, after, the destruction of Jerusalem, were carried by Johanan and the rest of their leaders, xliii. 7. (See the note upon that place.)- - There were several collections of Jeremy’s prophecies: one made by God’s command in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, (xxxvi. 2.) This contained all the prophecies he had published to that time, as well against tho other nations, as against theJows. The former of these in our present collection, are put by themselves at the end of the book, from chap. xlvi. to the end of the list: but, in the present copies of the Septuagint, they follow immediately after the thirteenth verse of the twenty-fifth chapter. Another collection of these prophecies is mentioned, i.3. comprehending all that Jeremy had uttered to the time of the captivity. These may probably be supposed to have been collected by Baruch’s amanuensis: and were put together without any regard to the order of time, just as we find the collection of Psalms was made. To this was added another collection of Jeremy’s prophecies, published about the time of his going down into Egypt, contained in chap.xlii. — xliv. at the end of which, Esdras, or some others, after the captivity, who undertook the completing the Scripture-canon, added those prophecies which Jeremy had spake against the gentiles, thinking it most proper to put them by themselves, because they treat of a different subject from the rest of the book: and one of them, viz. that against Elara, (xlix. 34.) bears date after the first collection made by Jeremy himself, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim’s reign. The reason why the fifty-second chapter was added at the end of the book, shall be assigned in the Argument of that chapter. CHAP. I; The first chapter contains the general commission which God gave to Jeremiah to execute theprophetical office; as well to the Jews in particular, as to the heathen countries round about them: and a promise of the Divine assistance in the discharge of his duty. elsewhere used of those who arc arrived at the first years of manhood. So Isaac is called a lad, or youth, Gen. xxii. 3. when lie must have been between twenty and thirty years old. Accordingly, the Romans extended the word adoles-, centia, or youth, to thirty years of age. (Sco Casaub. in Polyb. p. 29. et Exercit. in Baron, n. 99.) think their power and authority set them above reproof, and will bear them out in whatsoever they do. (See Ezek. xi: 6.) He tells him it is better to bear the reproaches of men, than the reproofs of God, who will call him to a strict account how he hath discharged his duty. (See 1 Cor. ix. UPON THE LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH. I observed in the Argument to the fifty-second of Jeremiah, that that chapter was added, at the end of his prophecy, as a prologue or introduction to his book of. Lamentations:. which was originally joined to the former, but is now divided from.it in the modern Jews’ copies, which place this book, among other smaller tracts, such as the Canticles, Ruth, &c. at the end of tho Pentateuch, This h a plain proof, that the order of tho books of the Old Testament, in which the Jewish copies at present place them, is but of later date, and differs from that order in which Ezra placed the holy writings, when he collected them into one body. In which collection, Daniel had a place among the prophets: though the Jews, since the time of Christ, have thrust him down among the Hagiographa,^ contrary to the character their forefathers gave of him, as appears from Josephus, who calls him a prophet, nay, one of (he greatest of the prophets, (Antiq. lib. x. cap. 12.) in agreement with which opinion our Saviour gives him the same title, Matt. xxiv. 25. Instead of that ancient preface to tho Lamentations, the Greek and Latin copies have a short introduction, briefly setting forth the subject of the book, which may be thus translated: It came to pass, that after Israel was carried captive, and Jerusalem desolate, the prophet Jeremiah sat weeping, and bewailed Jerusalem with this Lamentation, and bitterly weeping and mourning, said, as follows. This Argument was occasioned, as Huetius probably conjectures, (Demonstrat. Evang. prop. iv. cap. 14.) by removing the fifty-second chapter from the place where it first stood, and placing it as a conclusion to the prophecy of Jeremiah. Archbishop Usher, in his Annals, ad A. M. 3394. and some other learned men, following the opinion of Josephus, and St. Jerome, have supposed the Lamentations to have been written on occasion of Josiah’s death: (see Lam. iv. 20.) which was an introduction to the fatal catastrophe of their church and nation. But whoever carefully reads this pathctical description of the miseries of Judah and Jerusalem, may be easily convinced, that this is not so much a prediction of evils to come, as a lively representation of a present calamity. In which kind of writing the prophet Jeremiah was a great master, according to the character Grotins gives of him, " Minis in affectibus concitandis Jeremias;" that he had a wonderful talent in exciting the passions.

Jeremiah 1:1

J. HE words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of tJie priests that were in Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin.* Anathoth was one of the cities allotted to the priests: (see Josh. xxi. 13. 18.) that town was but three miles from Jerusalem, as St. Jerome tells us in his preface to this prophecy, but yet was in the land of Benjamin, as, indeed, was part of Jerusalem itself. (See Josh, xviii. 28.) Judah and Benjamin lying so near together, makes them sometimes reckoned but as one tribe. (Sec 1 Kings xi. 32.) HOW doth the city sit solitary that was full of people! how is she become a widow!] Cities are commonly described as the mothers of their inhabitants, and their kings and princes as their husbands. So, when they are bereaved of these, they are said to bo widows and childless. (Compare Isa. ii. 26. xlvii. 8.) Jerusalem, under these circumstances, is described as sitting alone (the multitude of her inhabitants being dispersed and destroyed), and in a pensive condition. (Compare iii. 28.) She that was great among the nations, and p?nnces$ among the provinces.] The kings of Judah, in their flourishing state, made conquests over the Philistines, Edomites, and other neighbouring countries: and by thus enlarging their dominions, advanced the power of the metropolis of their kingdom. (See 2 Sam. viii. 2 Chron. xxvi. 6 — 8. 2 Kings xviii. 8.)

Jeremiah 1:2

To whom the word of the Lord came in the daysofJosiah — tmto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah. Jeremiah prophesied by the space of forty-one years and upward, if we take in the prophecies he uttered in Egypt after the captivity, (chap, xliii. xliv.) which arc not included within this period. We may observe from the sixth verse of this chapter, that Jeremy was very young* when he was called by God to the prophetic office. •Unto the carrying away Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.’] The Jews underwent several captivities before? their final desolation. The first was when Jehoiakim wa^ carried away captive, in the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. (See 2 Kings xxiv. 12.) There was another captivity in the eighteenth year of his reign. (See below,* lii. 29.)- Then followed, in the next year, that captivity which accompanied the destruction of the temple and city of Jerusalem, in the fifth month. (See ibid. ver. 21;): In memory of which calamity, t\e fast of the fifth month was observed during the seventy years of captivity; and continued down to aftertiraes. (See Zech. yii/5. viii. 19.) She weepeth sore in the night.] The darkness or solitude of the night doth naturally promote melancholy reflections. (See Psal. yL G. xvi. 7. lxxvii. G.) Among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her, &c] All her allies, whose friendship she courted by sinful compliances, (see Jer. iv. 30. xxii. 20. 22.) have forsaken her in her affliction, and join with her enemies in insulting over her.

Jeremiah 1:3

Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude, &c. Her miseries have received their finishing stroke, in a total captivity and bondage to a foreign power of infidels and idolaters. All her persecutors overtook her between the straits.’] A metaphor from those that hunt a prey, which they commonly drive into some strait and narrow passage, from whence there is no making an escape.

Jeremiah 1:4

Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying. This seems to have been a visible appearance of thet)i-’ vine Majesty, performed by the Son of God, or the second person of the blessed Trinity, (see the notes on Isa. vi. 1;) who appeared in a human shape, as a preludium to the incarnation; first to Adam, (Gen. iii. 8;) then to Abraham/ (Gen. xviii. 2.) afterward to Joshua, (Josh. v. 13.) as, also; to Ezekiel, (Ezek. i.26.) and to Daniel, (Dan. viii. 15. 18. x. 6. 10.) Of the same kind was this vision represented to Jeremiah. (Compare the ninth verse of this chapter with thd forementioned texts of Daniel.) It is out of this gloryj or Schechinah/the following words were uttered. * Tlie ways of Zion do mourn, because none cometh to her solemn feasts.] The highways that lead to Jerusalem

Jeremiah 1:5

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou earnest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee. Some persons have been designed for certain offices, by a! particular decree of God, from or before their coming into’ the world. So was John Baptist, (Luke i. 15.) and St. Paul; (Gal. i. 15.) and the prophet Jeremy here in the text. This favour is expressed by knoiving hint, or taking especial notice of him; as if a prince should single one particular person out of a multitude, and call him by name, and appoint him to some honourable office, or trust. So God expresses the’peculiaffavour he had for Moses, by saying, I know thee by name, (Exod. xxxiii. l£. 17.) The same thing is like* wise’expressed by God’s sanctifying him, or settin* hiin apart for the prophetical office: the same phrase being ap-^ pliedto our Saviour himself, whom God/ in an eminent manner, sanctified, or set apart for the offices of king, priest, and prophet, and, in due time, sent him into the ivorht to execute the same; (John x. 36.) who, therefore, is called^ byway of eminence, T6 w, Ay«ov, (Luke i. 35.) that holy person, for so the neuter is sometimes taken. (See John iii. 6l 1 John v, 4.)’ An^ ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.] To othetf nations as well as the Jews; (See xxv. 15. 18 — 20. and the latter part of this prophecy, from the forty-sixth chapter.)*

Jeremiah 1:6

Tlien said I, Ah, Lord God! I cannot speak; for I am a child. He excuses himself from taking the prophetical office, by reason of his youth, which made him unable to speak with that authority which is requisite for tho discharge of so weighty a function. (See below, ver. 8.\L7, 18. and compare Exod. iv. 10. vi. 12.) We cannot infer from hence, that Jeremy was at this time within the years of childhood: for he may call himself a child by way of extenuating his abilities; so Solomon calls himself a little^ child, 1 Kings iii. 7. who at that time was married, as appears by the first verse of that chapter, and must have been at least twenty years old. And the word child, or youth, is

Jeremiah 1:7

But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child. God refuses to accept of his excuse, and renews his commission to him to execute the prophetical office. So God refused to accept of the excuse Moses made upon a like occasion. (Sec Exod. vi. 30. vii. 1, 2.)

Jeremiah 1:8

Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee. The style of God’s commission to his prophets and messengers commonly runs in these words, I am with thee: (sec Exod. iii. 12. Deut. xxxi. 8. Josh. i. 5.) importing that God, who sent them, will enable them to discharge the office he has committed to thein, and will give them strength proportionable to the business they undertake. To reprove the faults of all persons, the great men of the world, as well as those of lower degree, with that plainness and impartiality which the prophets used, requires a more than ordinary degree of courage; for which cause the promise, of God’s assistance was particularly necessary to encourage them in the. discharge of that unthankful office; and in confidence of that assistance, they are exhorted to. be strong and of a good courage: not to fear nor be dismayed. (See Deut. xxxi. 8. Josh, i. 9. Ezek. ii. G. iii. 9.)

Jeremiah 1:9

Then the Lord put forth his hand, [sec the note on ver. 4. and touched my mouth: and the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words w thy month.’] Whereas the prophet complained, (ver. G.) that he could not speak; JGod, by this visible sign, assures him, that he had conferred upon him the gift of utterance, and imparted his will and purposes in such a measure to him, that his words ought to be esteemed the oracles of God. (Compare Isa. vi. 7. li.lG.)

Jeremiah 1:10

See, I have this day set thee over the nations, and over the kingdoms, to root out, &c. The.prophets are said to do things, when they declare God’s purpose of, doing them. So Ezekiel saith he was sent to destroy the city; (xliii.3.) that is, to prophesy concerning its destruction. And Isaiah is commanded to make the heart of the Jews fat; i.e. to foretell their obduration and incredulity, (vi. 10.) In the same sense we are to understand the text here, that God had appointed Jeremiah to declare his purposes concerning the overthrow or restoration of kingdoms and nations, according as they cither repented of their sins, or persisted in their evil doings. (Compare xviii. 7.) In pursuance of these directions, some of the following prophecies foretell the destruction of the Jewish nation, and several of the neighbouring countries: (see xxv. 15, &c.) others of them contain predictions of the restoration of the Jews, (as chap. xxx. xxxi.) and also of several other nations against which he had prophesied. (Sec xlviii.47.xlix.G. 39.)

Jeremiah 1:11

Moreover, the word of the Lord came xtnto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond-tree. Then said the Lord unto me, Tlwn hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.] The almond is one of the first trees that buds and blossoms in the spring; so a branch of that which buds and blossoms upon it, is a proper emblem to denote God’s hastening the execution of the predictions he made by his prophet, who’ [chap, i, lived to see most of his prophecies fulfilled. The Hebrew, words shaked, an almond-tree, and shoked, hastening, have an affinity in their sound: (such paronomasias being frequent in Scripture; see the note upon Isa. xxiv. 17.) so that not only the nature of the almond-tree, but the very sound of the Hebrew word that signifies it, denotes God’s hastening to fulfil the prophecies which Jeremiah uttered by his directions.

Jeremiah 1:13

And the word of the Lord came unto me the second time, saying, JWiat seest thou? And I said, I see a seething-pot, and the face thereof was towards the north,. The steam of a seething-pot doth fitly represent God’s judgments, which arc often compared to a fire, as the afflictions of the Israelites are to a smoking furnace, (Gen. xv. 17.) This steam w T as represented to the prophet as raised by a fire, or driven by a wind coming from the north; for the latter part of the verse may be better rendered thus: And the appearance of it teas as coming from the north. So that the pot or caldron itself may denote Judca or Jerusalem in particular, (expressed in the same figure, Ezek. xi. 3. 7. xxi v. 3.) set on fire and consumed by an army of Chaldeans, who lay northward of Judea. (See iv. G. Yi. 1.)

Jeremiah 1:15

For, lo, lyoill call all the families of the king-, doms of the north,. There were lesser kings and princes, who were either allies or tributaries to the Babylonian empire. (Compare xxxiv. 1. 1. 41. Ii. 27.) God saith, all these shall join their forces with the Chaldean army in order to the conquest of Judca. The word family is equi-^ valent to people. here, and viii. 3. x. 25. where these words, The families that call not upon thy name, are equivalent to the kingdoms that call not upon thy name, in Psal. lxxix.G: And they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem.] Each prince shall pitch his royal pavilion, with all the marks of sovereignty belonging to it, in token of having obtained a complete victory, and taken entire possession of the city. (See xliii. 10.)

Jeremiah 1:16

And I will utter all my judgments against tlmn touching their wickedness. Then I will no longer speak unto them by my prophets, whose threatenings they have not regarded, but the judgments I bring upon them shall declare their wickedness, and the vengeance due unto them for their idolatries. (Compare iv. 12. where the words are the same in the original.)

Jeremiah 1:17

Thou.therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee. It being the custom of the eastern countries to wear long garments, which they girded up about their loins, when any business required nimbleness or expedition: the phrase signifies dispatching any message with all possible vigour and intention of mind as well as of body. (See Job xxxviii. 3. 1 Pet. i. 13.) We may apply both senses to the text here; for God commands the prophet instantly to undertake the office he designed him for, and to discharge it with courage and presence of mind, as it follows. Be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.] The Hebrew verb is the same in both parts of the sentence, which may literally be rendered thus: Be not confounded at their faces (when thou appcarcst in their presence), lest I confound thee before them. God exhorts him not to be dismayed at the scoiFs and ill treatment he should meet with from’ hardened sinners, especially from such who

Jeremiah 1:18

For, behold, Ihave made thee this day a defenced city, &c. God promises to defend him against all the open assaults and secret contrivances of his enemies, the kings, princes, and priests, as well as those of an inferior rank. (See xv. 10. *x. 2. xxiii. 18, &c. xxvi. 10. xxxv. 15. xxxviii. 6.)

Jeremiah 1:19

And they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee. They shall no more be able to prevail against thee, than they could against an impregnable wall or fortress, (ver. 8.) For lam with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver theei] I will shew my power in delivering thee out of all thy troubles, when thy adversaries shall become a prey to their enemies. (See xxxix. 11, 12. and ver. 8. of this chapter.) -