Jeremiah 25
SIBJeremiah 25:18-25
Beginning at the most distant. The Egyptians, Philistines, Tyrians, Sidonians, Jews, Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites, Arabians, Syrians, dwelt westward of Babylon; and the Elamites or Persians, and the Medes, on the east side of it. See Introduction, chap. iv. sect. 1—13
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXV.—God’s words, which concern all, ought to be publicly proclaimed. He keeps an exact account of every circumstance relative to our enjoyment and improvement of the means of grace. And they who declare his messages ought to be earnest and diligent in delivering them, that they may at least be free from the blood of all men; and all of them should insist upon the same leading truths of the gospel. But, if God’s messengers of peace be condemned, his messengers of wrath will soon follow, and make dreadful work. God does not usually strike without warning; but, if we will not hear, we must perish. - When judgment begins at the house of God, it ordinarily makes fearful and overturning work among all, even the mightiest nations around, before it cease. That God, to whom all nations are accountable, can easily, by a small sip of his unbounded wrath, by a stroke of his sword, or the roaring of his voice, terrify, perplex, and destroy them, however numerous, powerful, or secure. And they who have plagued their neighbours, and especially the people of God, shall have their fill of vexation and misery at last.—Men, who are ambitious of power, generally become troublers and destroyers to the world around. But great earthly pomp and power are of very uncertain, and often of very short, continuance. And no sinners can either withstand or outrun the judgments of God. When wars are once kindled, the higher men are, the more is their danger; and even many, who had lived harmlessly, share in the hardships. But, if the ravages of war be so tremendous, what infinitely more fearful work must the unrestrained fury of the Almighty God make in hell for ever and ever! Let then wars and troubles, however distant, make me to hear and fear, and embrace his new covenant of peace offered in the gospel, that I may at last enter into that peaceable habitation, into which no fire or sword, no violence or destruction, can ever enter