Jeremiah 36

for a supply of what was barely necessary to support nature. These rules he might probably give them, to put them in mind that they were strangers in Judea, and had no original right of inheritance there. (See the following verse.) Such voluntary austerities, in aftertimes, came into great repute among several sects of the Jews, particularly the pharisees and Essenes. (See Joseph, de Bell. Jud. lib. ii. cap. 7.) The prophet, by God’s command, orders his amanuensis, Baruch, to write all the prophecies which he denounced against Israel and Judah, in one volume: which Baruch first read to the people on two solemn fast-days, and afterward to the chief ministers of the state. They inform the king of the matter, who orders Jehudi to read it before him \ but before he had read far, out of indignation, commands it to he cut in pieces, and burnt. Whereupon, God directs Jeremiah to indite it over again.

Jeremiah 36:1

_/ N the fourth year of Jehoiakim. See xxv. 1.

Jeremiah 36:2

Take thee a roll of a book. Compare Isa. viii. I. Ezek. ii. 9. Zech. y. 1. The ancient manner of writing was upon long scrolls of parchment, which they afterward rolled upon sticks. And write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah.] Jeremiah prophesied against Israel, as well as against Judah. (See ii. 4. iii. 12. 14, &c. ix. 26. xxiii. 13. xxxii. 30. 32.) The kingdom of Israel was indeed destroyed by Shalmaneser before the time of Jeremiah; but yet the prophet was ordered to reprove their sins, both to make the justice of God appear in punishing them so severely, and withal to warn the rest of the Jews by their example. Besides, there were some remains of these tribes still left, who joined themselves to the tribe of Judah. (See the note on xxxii. 30.) And against all the nations.] See xxv. 15, 16, &c. Front the days ofJosiah.] From the thirteenth year of his reign. (See i. 2. xxv. 3.)

Jeremiah 36:3

It may be the house of Judah will hear, &c. See the like expression, ver. 7. xxvi. 3. Ezek. xii. 3. Amos v. 15. Zeph. ii. 3. In which places God is introduced, as speaking after the manner of men, and using such methods, as in human probability may be most likely to prevail. (Compare viii. 6.) These and such-like expressions do likewise import, that God’s foreknowledge of future events doth not put any force upon men’s will, nor take away the liberty of human actions, as Origen hath acutely observed, in his Philocalia, cap. 23.

Jeremiah 36:5

1 am shut tip; I cannot go into the house of the Lord. He was under confinement, probably for having given offence to the king, or the great men, by his prophecies. A calamity which often betel him. (See xx. 2. xxxii. 2. xxxvii. 15. xxxviii. 6.)

Jeremiah 36:6

Go thou and read — the words of the Lord in the ears of the people, &,c. The prophets usually published their sermons in the audience of the people: (see vii. 2. xi/6. xvii. 20.) which were afterward delivered in writing for common use: as the law itself was written for that purpose, as God tells the Israelites by his prophet Hosea, viii. 12. Upon the fasting-day.] The great day of expiation, which was kept upon the tenth day of the seventh month, (Lev. xxiii. 27. 29.) called by way of eminence the fast, Acts xxvii. 9. And also shall read them in tlte ears of all Judah, that come out of their cities.] Who came to the feast of tabernacles, which followed five days afterward, (Lev. xxiii. 34.)

Jeremiah 36:7

It may be they will present their supplication, &c. See ver. 3.

Jeremiah 36:8

Thus have we obeyed the voice o/Jonadab the son ofRechab, our father J. We have conformed ourselves to his injunctions, and governed our lives by them, during the space of near three hundred years.

Jeremiah 36:9

In the fifth year of Jehoiakim, in theninth month, they proclaimed a fast. It was customary among the Jews: to proclaim anniversary fasts upon certain days, in memory of some great calamities which had befallen them at that time. Of this kind were the fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months, mentioned Zech. vii. 5. viii. 19. The first instituted in remembrance of the city’s being taken by Nebuchadnezzar: the second in memory of the temple’s being burnt in that month: the third for the murder of Gedalialu the fourth in memory of the siege

Jeremiah 36:11

But it came to pass, when Nebuchadnezzar came into the land. If the words be understood of his coming with an army in person, then they must refer to his invading Judea, in the fourth year of his reign. (Seethe notes on ver. 1.) For fear of the army of the Syrians.] Berosus mentions Nebuchadnezzar’s conquest over Syria and Phoenice, as he is quoted by Josephus, (lib. i. contra Appion. p. 1045. B.) Out of these conquests he probably recruited his army.

Jeremiah 36:13

So we dwell at Jerusalem. Upon the Chaldean invasion we retired to Jerusalem, where, during the siege of the place, we are forced to continue. In such a case, they did not think themselves obliged to a strict observance of the injunctions of Jonadab; because all human laws admit of an equitable construction, and maybe superseded in cases of necessity; or when the observance of them is attended with such great inconveniences, as the law-maker himself, if he could have foreseen, would probably have excepted.

Jeremiah 36:14

Rising early, and speaking. See vii. 13.

Jeremiah 36:15

J have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, &c. See xxv. 4.

Jeremiah 36:19

Jonadab tlte son ofRechab shall not wantaman to stand before me. When the main body of the Jewish nation are dispersed in their several captivities, some of that family shall remain to attend upon my service, and enjoy the privileges of worshipping in my temple at Jerusalem. (Compare vii. 10.) Some branches of this family returned from the captivity, as appears from 1 Chron. ii. 55. Benjamin Tudelensis, who lived in the twelfth century, pretends, in his Itinerary, that he found a city inhabited by the Rechabites: but he is too fabulous a writer to be relied upon. For ever.] This expression is not always to be taken in a strict sense, but often means only a long continuance, and is used comparatively with respect to a shorter duration. (See the notes on xxv. 9. xxxii. 40.)