Jeremiah 14

Jeremiah 14:1

According to - In the same comely shape and proportions which are in a living man. House - In the dwelling - house of him that made it.

Jeremiah 14:2

Oak - Which afford the best and most durable timber. Strengtheneth - He plants, and with care and diligence improves those trees, that he or his posterity may thence have materials for their images, and those things which belong to them.

Jeremiah 14:3

Fallen down - Having related the practices of idolaters, he now discovers the folly of them, that he makes his fire and his god of the same materials, distinguished only by the art of man.

Jeremiah 14:5

He eateth - He dresses flesh for his eating. Seen - I have felt the warmth of it.

Jeremiah 14:6

Not known - This shews that they have not the understanding of a man. For he - God. Not as if God did make men wicked; he only permits them so to be, and orders, and over - rules their wickedness to his own glorious ends.

Jeremiah 14:8

Ashes - An unprofitable and pernicious food, and no less unsatisfying and mischievous is the worship of idols. Deceived heart - A mind corrupted and deceived by deep prejudice, gross error, and especially by his own lusts. Turned - From the way of truth. Deliver - From the snares and dangers of idolatry. Is there not - What is this idol which I set at my right - hand, as the true God is said in scripture to be at the right - hand of his people; which I highly honour, for the most honourable place was on the right - hand; to which I look for relief and assistance, which God in scripture is said to afford to his people, by being at and holding their right - hand. What, I say, is this idol? Is it not a lie, which tho’ it pretends to be a god, yet, in truth is nothing but vanity and falsehood?

Jeremiah 14:9

These - These things, the deep ignorance and stupidity of idolaters. Forgotten - I will not forget nor forsake thee; therefore thou shalt have no need of idols.

Jeremiah 14:10

As a cloud - So that there is no remnant of it left.

Jeremiah 14:11

Sing - By such invitations to the senseless creatures, he signifies the transcendent greatness of this mercy, sufficient to make even the stones, if it were possible, to break forth into God’s praises.

Jeremiah 14:13

Liars - Of the magicians, and astrologers, who were numerous, and greatly esteemed in Babylon, and who had foretold the long continuance and prosperity of the Chaldean empire. Mad - With grief for the disappointment of their predictions, and their disgrace which followed it. Turneth - Stopping their way, and blasting their designs.

Jeremiah 14:15

That saith - That with a word can dry up the sea and rivers, and remove all impediments.

Jeremiah 14:16

Cyrus - Whom God here mentions by his proper name, two hundred years before he was born, that this might be an undeniable evidence of the exactness of God’s fore - knowledge, and a convincing argument to conclude this dispute between God and idols. Shepherd - Then will I set up to be the shepherd of my people, to rescue them from wolves or tyrants, to gather them together, to rule them gently, and to provide comfortably for them.

Jeremiah 14:18

His anointed - His king, whom God has designed, and separated, and fitted, in all respects, for this work. Loose - I will take away their girdle, which was about their loins; their power and authority, whereof that was an ensign. Gates - The great and magnificent gates of their cities and palaces, which shall be opened to him as conqueror.

Jeremiah 14:19

Go - To remove all obstructions, to destroy all them that oppose thee, and carry thee through the greatest difficulties.

Jeremiah 14:20

The treasures - Such as have been long kept in dark and secret places.

Jeremiah 14:21

I have - I knew, and called thee by thy name, when thou didst neither know nor think of me; nay, when thou hadst no being.

Jeremiah 14:22

I girded - I made thee strong and active, and disposed thee for these great and warlike enterprizes.