Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc24/v26900

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 113 lines

26905
 ** Jeremiah was a priest, a native of Anathoth, in the tribe of
 Benjamin. He was called to the prophetic office when very young,
 about seventy years after the death of Isaiah, and exercised it
 for about forty years with great faithfulness, till the sins of
 the Jewish nation came to their full measure and destruction
 followed. The prophecies of Jeremiah do not stand as they were
 delivered. Blayney has endeavoured to arrange them in more
 regular order, namely, ch. 1-20; 22; 23; 25; 26; 35; 36; 45; 24;
 29; 30; 31; 27; 28; 21; 34; 37; 32; 33; 38; 39; (ver. 15-18,
 1-14.) 40-44; 46-52. The general subject of his prophecies is
 the idolatry and other sins of the Jews; the judgments by which
 they were threatened, with references to their future
 restoration and deliverance, and promises of the Messiah. They
 are remarkable for plain and faithful reproofs, affectionate
 expostulations, and awful warnings.

 * Jeremiah's call to the prophetic office. (1-10) A vision of an
 almond-tree and of a seething-pot, Divine protection is
 promised. (11-19)

 #1-10 Jeremiah's early call to the work and office of a prophet
 is stated. He was to be a prophet, not to the Jews only, but to
 the neighbouring nations. He is still a prophet to the whole
 world, and it would be well if they would attend to these
 warnings. The Lord who formed us, knows for what particular
 services and purposes he intended us. But unless he sanctify us
 by his new-creating Spirit, we shall neither be fit for his holy
 service on earth, nor his holy happiness in heaven. It becomes
 us to have low thoughts of ourselves. Those who are young,
 should consider that they are so, and not venture beyond their
 powers. But though a sense of our own weakness and insufficiency
 should make us go humbly about our work, it should not make us
 draw back when God calls us. Those who have messages to deliver
 from God, must not fear the face of man. The Lord, by a sign,
 gave Jeremiah such a gift as was necessary. God's message should
 be delivered in his own words. Whatever worldly wise men or
 politicians may think, the safety of kingdoms is decided
 according to the purpose and word of God.

26915
 #11-19 God gave Jeremiah a view of the destruction of Judah and
 Jerusalem by the Chaldeans. The almond-tree, which is more
 forward in the spring than any other, represented the speedy
 approach of judgments. God also showed whence the intended ruin
 should arise. Jeremiah saw a seething-pot boiling, representing
 Jerusalem and Judah in great commotion. The mouth or face of the
 furnace or hearth, was toward the north; from whence the fire
 and fuel were to come. The northern powers shall unite. The
 cause of these judgments was the sin of Judah. The whole counsel
 of God must be declared. The fear of God is the best remedy
 against the fear of man. Better to have all men our enemies than
 God our enemy; those who are sure they have God with them, need
 not, ought not to fear, whoever is against them. Let us pray
 that we may be willing to give up personal interests, and that
 nothing may move us from our duty.
26924
 * God expostulates with his people. (1-8) Their revolt beyond
 example. (9-13) Guilt the cause of sufferings. (14-19) The sins
 of Judah. (20-28) Their false confidence. (29-37)

 #1-8 Those who begin well, but do not persevere, will justly be
 upbraided with their hopeful and promising beginnings. Those who
 desert religion, commonly oppose it more than those who never
 knew it. For this they could have no excuse. God's spiritual
 Israel must own their obligations to him for safe conduct
 through the wilderness of this world, so dangerous to the soul.
 Alas, that many, who once appeared devoted to the Lord, so live
 that their professions aggravate their crimes! Let us be careful
 that we do not lose in zeal and fervency, as we gain knowledge.

26932
 #9-13 Before God punishes sinners, he pleads with them, to bring
 them to repentance. He pleads with us, what we should plead with
 ourselves. Be afraid to think of the wrath and curse which will
 be the portion of those who throw themselves out of God's grace
 and favour. Grace in Christ is compared to water from a
 fountain, it being cooling and refreshing, cleansing and making
 fruitful: to living water, because it quickens dead sinners,
 revives drooping saints, supports and maintains spiritual life,
 and issues in eternal life, and is ever-flowing. To forsake this
 Fountain is the first evil; this is done when the people of God
 neglect his word and ordinances. They hewed them out broken
 cisterns, that could hold no water. Such are the world, and the
 things in it; such are the inventions of men when followed and
 depended on. Let us, with purpose of heart, cleave to the Lord
 only; whither else shall we go? How prone are we to forego the
 consolations of the Holy Spirit, for the worthless joys of the
 enthusiast and hypocrite!

26937
 #14-19 Is Israel a servant? No, they are the seed of Abraham. We
 may apply this spiritually: Is the soul of man a slave? No, it
 is not; but has sold its own liberty, and enslaved itself to
 divers lusts and passions. The Assyrian princes, like lions,
 prevailed against Israel. People from Egypt destroyed their
 glory and strength. They brought these calamities on themselves
 by departing from the Lord. The use and application of this is,
 Repent of thy sin, that thy correction may not be thy ruin. What
 has a Christian to do in the ways of forbidden pleasure or vain
 sinful mirth, or with the pursuits of covetousness and ambition?

26943
 #20-28 Notwithstanding all their advantages, Israel had become
 like the wild vine that bears poisonous fruit. Men are often as
 much under the power of their unbridled desires and their sinful
 lusts, as the brute beasts. But the Lord here warns them not to
 weary themselves in pursuits which could only bring distress and
 misery. As we must not despair of the mercy of God, but believe
 that to be sufficient for the pardon of our sins, so neither
 must we despair of the grace of God, but believe that it is able
 to subdue our corruptions, though ever so strong.