Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc27/v27250

Text File | 1994-03-01 | 6KB | 105 lines

27252
 * A drought upon the land of Judah. (1-7) A confession of sin in
 the name of the people. (8-9) The Divine purpose to punish is
 declared. (10-16) The people supplicate. (17-22)

 #1-9 The people were in tears. But it was rather the cry of
 their trouble, and of their sin, than of their prayer. Let us be
 thankful for the mercy of water, that we may not be taught to
 value it by feeling the want of it. See what dependence
 husbandmen have upon the Divine providence. They cannot plough
 nor sow in hope, unless God water their furrows. The case even
 of the wild beasts was very pitiable. The people are not forward
 to pray, but the prophet prays for them. Sin is humbly
 confessed. Our sins not only accuse us, but answer against us.
 Our best pleas in prayer are those fetched from the glory of
 God's own name. We should dread God's departure, more than the
 removal of our creature-comforts. He has given Israel his word
 to hope in. It becomes us in prayer to show ourselves more
 concerned for God's glory than for our own comfort. And if we
 now return to the Lord, he will save us to the glory of his
 grace.

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 #10-16 The Lord calls the Jews "this people," not "his people."
 They had forsaken his service, therefore he would punish them
 according to their sins. He forbade Jeremiah to plead for them.
 The false prophets were the most criminal. The Lord pronounces
 condemnation on them; but as the people loved to have it so,
 they were not to escape judgments. False teachers encourage men
 to expect peace and salvation, without repentance, faith,
 conversion, and holiness of life. But those who believe a lie
 must not plead it for an excuse. They shall feel what they say
 they will not fear.
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 #17-22 Jeremiah acknowledged his own sins, and those of the
 people, but pleaded with the Lord to remember his covenant. In
 their distress none of the idols of the Gentiles could help
 them, nor could the heavens give rain of themselves. The Lord
 will always have a people to plead with him at his mercy-seat.
 He will heal every truly repenting sinner. Should he not see fit
 to hear our prayers on behalf of our guilty land, he will
 certainly bless with salvation all who confess their sins and
 seek his mercy.
27274
 * The destruction of the wicked described. (1-9) The prophet
 laments such messages, and is reproved. (10-14) He supplicates
 pardon, and is promised protection. (15-21)

 #1-9 The Lord declares that even Moses and Samuel must have
 pleaded in vain. The putting of this as a case, though they
 should stand before him, shows that they do not, and that saints
 in heaven do not pray for saints on earth. The Jews were
 condemned to different kinds of misery by the righteous judgment
 of God, and the remnant would be driven away, like the chaff,
 into captivity. Then was the populous city made desolate. Bad
 examples and misused authority often produce fatal effects, even
 after men are dead, or have repented of their crimes: this
 should make all greatly dread being the occasion of sin in
 others.

27283
 #10-14 Jeremiah met with much contempt and reproach, when they
 ought to have blessed him, and God for him. It is a great and
 sufficient support to the people of God, that however
 troublesome their way may be, it shall be well with them in
 their latter end. God turns to the people. Shall the most hardy
 and vigorous of their efforts be able to contend with the
 counsel of God, or with the army of the Chaldeans? Let them hear
 their doom. The enemy will treat the prophet well. But the
 people who had great estates would be used hardly. All parts of
 the country had added to the national guilt; and let each take
 shame to itself.

27288
 #15-21 It is matter of comfort that we have a God, to whose
 knowledge of all things we may appeal. Jeremiah pleads with God
 for mercy and relief against his enemies, persecutors, and
 slanderers. It will be a comfort to God's ministers, when men
 despise them, if they have the testimony of their own
 consciences. But he complains, that he found little pleasure in
 his work. Some good people lose much of the pleasantness of
 religion by the fretfulness and uneasiness of their natural
 temper, which they indulge. The Lord called the prophet to cease
 from his distrust, and to return to his work. If he attended
 thereto, he might be assured the Lord would deliver him from his
 enemies. Those who are with God, and faithful to him, he will
 deliver from trouble or carry through it. Many things appear
 frightful, which do not at all hurt a real believer in Christ.
27295
 * Prohibitions given to the prophet. (1-9) The justice of God in
 these judgments. (10-13) Future restoration of the Jews, and the
 conversion of the Gentiles. (14-21)

 #1-9 The prophet must conduct himself as one who expected to see
 his country ruined very shortly. In the prospect of sad times,
 he is to abstain from marriage, mourning for the dead, and
 pleasure. Those who would convince others of the truths of God,
 must make it appear by their self-denial, that they believe it
 themselves. Peace, inward and outward, family and public, is
 wholly the work of God, and from his loving-kindness and mercy.
 When He takes his peace from any people, distress must follow.
 There may be times when it is proper to avoid things otherwise
 our duty; and we should always sit loose to the pleasures and
 concerns of this life.