24 And they shall go forth, "and look || shall not die, neither shall their fire be upon the carcasses of the men that have quenched; and they shall be an abhortransgressed against me: for their worm ring unto all flesh. n 16. Ps. 58.10,11. Ez. 39:9 o 14:11. Mark 9:44-49. Rev. ... the corruptions of antichristianity, to preach ever in hell. "Our Savior expressed the to the nations, far and near, where his fame place of torment, under the image of Gehenand glory have never yet been heard and seen; 'na; and the punishment of the wicked, by the even to isles as remote from us and as little 'worm which there preyed on the carcasses, known to us, as this our island was to the in- and the fire which consumed the wretched habitants of the East in the days of Isaiah. 'victims. Marking, however, in the strongest The persons thus converted are immediately manner, the difference between Gehenna, and considered as brethren: and they would be the invisible place of torment; namely, that in brought, by every method of conveyance then the former the suffering is transient; the worm in use in those countries, to Jerusalem, as a itself, that preys on the body, dies; and the sacred oblation to the Lord. This signifies the 'fire, which totally consumes it, is soon extinabundance of instruments and means, afforded 'guished: whereas in the figurative Gehenna, for the conversion of sinners, and the admis- 'the instruments of punishment shall be eversion of the converts into the church; and for lasting, and the suffering without end; for their encouragement, edification, and devoted-there "the worm dieth not, and the fire is not ness to God, until they are brought to heaven. 'quenched." Bp. Lowth. (Note, Rom. 15:14-17.)-Ministers were soon raised up from among the Gentiles, in the apostles' days, who ministered before God in holy things, (as the priests and Levites had been used to do,) according to the nature of their dispensation: and ministers will doubtless be hereafter raised up among the inhabitants of those nations, which are now sunk in the deepest ignorance and barbarity. For as God intended his new creation to endure before him for ever; so should the seed and name of the church under the Christian dispensation. They too would have their solemnities, sabbaths, sacraments, and ordinances, in which they would meet before the Lord: and all flesh, or all nations, would thus come to worship before him. Whereas before, there were ap'pointed seasons to sacrifice; in this there shall be one continued sabbath.'-The restoration of Israel is here implied: but this event cannot be considered as the exclusive meaning. None of Israel could be taken as priests and Levites, who were not of Aaron's family, or of the tribe of Levi: the priests and Levites, therefore, must be ministers of religion from among the Gentiles, or the converted Jews, who were not of that family or tribe; which cannot be the case among the Jews, if the ceremonial law were to be revived, at the restoration of Israel. (Notes, Rom. 15:14-17. Phil. 2:14-18, v. 17.)-To Tarshish, &c. (19) Marg. Ref. z, a, b.-Notes, Gen. 10:15-30. V. 24. The inhabitants of the holy city, and all who had come thither, are here represented as going out, to look upon the dead bodies of those, whom the Lord had slain for opposing his cause; which are represented as being either eaten by worms, or burnt in the fire. (Notes, Ez. 39:11-16.) But "their worm would never die, nor their fire be quenched:" for whatever external events may be alluded to or predicted, "the worm" and "the fire" represent the place and nature of the punishment of sinners in another world. The fire, which is kindled by the wrath of God, shall not be quenched or cease to torment for ever: the worm of keen self-reflection, and the anguish of an accusing conscience, will endure for ever: because the existence and consciousness of the condemned will be everlasting. (Notes, Matt. 5:21,22,29,30. Mark 9:43-50.)-Some interpret the carcasses cast out of Jerusalem, to signify the ungodly who are excluded from the church, and remain under the wrath of God, and the power of their own wicked propensities and evil habits; and who, being thus abhorred on earth, will be miserable and abominable for Thus ends this most extraordinary prophecy; to which nothing similar is extant in the world.-In the other prophecies, God speaks by the prophet, or the prophet says, "Thus saith the LORD." But from the beginning of the fortieth chapter to the end of this book, JEHOVAH, or MESSIAH, speaks in a continued discourse, in a few instances indeed noticing and directing the prophet, but still proceeding to speak as immediately from himself.-In the prophecies of Daniel, and in the Revelation of John, as well as the other prophetical writings; there are certain dates, or a regular order, which help us to understand to what period of time each prediction belongs: but in Isaiah, especially in the latter part of the book, the transition from the days of the prophet, to those after the captivity, or rather, those of the Messiah; and thence to the glorious times which we yet expect, and to the consummation of all things, is often sudden and unexpected. And as suddenly the prophecy reverts to the coming of Christ, and events connected with it. This increases the expositor's difficulty; and should increase his caution and diffidence, as to the interpretation given of many parts. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1-6. No externals, however splendid or costly, can please God, without a humble and upright heart. He wants not, and is not profited by, any of our services: and when we become proud of them, or trust in them; he abhors our attendance even on his own appointments. As he dwells in Christ, our Temple; so, for his sake, "he hath respect to every one that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at his word:" for such persons value his salvation, and learn to love him and keep his commandments. But whatever men substitute in the place of the priesthood, atonement, and intercession of Christ, will be found most hateful to God: and he will as deeply resent this affront to his wisdom, grace, and truth, as any immorality or profaneness whatever. Yet alas! how many in this most important concern, "choose their own ways, and are delighted with their own abominations!" But we should be afraid of every deviation from scriptural truth, lest God should give us over to our own delusions.-Those who so fear the reproach or opposition of men, as to refuse the call and reject the salvation of God, will have their fears brought upon them in everlasting shame and contempt.-Seeing, that many have thought they did God service, when they were "hating and casting out" his children; we should take care that our confidence and conscientiousness be scriptural. It will not avail a man to have said, "Let God be glorified," when in proud self-confidence and obstinate rage, he persecuted his people, and refused to ask counsel of his word and Spirit. But those who "tremble at the word of God," need not be alarmed even at the hatred of their professed brethren, or staggered by their "great swelling words of vanity;" as if they alone were the only true church, and all who differed from them were heretics and schismatics. Such boasts and censures are alike unwarranted: God will appear to the joy of the humble believer, and to the confusion of hypocrites and persecutors of every description; their destruction will come upon them in those very places, from those very persons, or by those very means, in which they presumptuously confided for safety; and they shall be accounted the enemies of God with a peculiar emphasis, and be punished with marked severity. V. 7-14. made for the tending and nourishing up of the Whenever the Lord powerfully appears for his church; he displays his indignation against his adversaries. Thus the increase of believers, in the primitive times, was attended by tremendous judgments on the Jews: thus the future success of the gospel will be introduced by similar judgments on all opposers: and thus the final salvation of the righteous will be connected with vengeance on all the workers of iniquity. Then by the fire and sword of his When the Lord lessens the numbers of his indignation will he plead with all flesh, and visible church, by cutting off hypocrites and the slain of the "LORD shall be many:" sinners persecutors; we need not fear, but he will sup- of every description shall be consumed togethply their places by more valuable persons. He er; for "he knoweth their works and their can add converts in multitudes, as though "a thoughts;" and he will "gather all nations and nation were born in a day." In the general tongues to see his glory." (Notes, Matt. 25:31 course of Providence, we must expect to la-| -46.) In the mean time, he has set his gosbor, wait, and pray for a considerable time, pel as a sign unto us; and even in these distant before we see the success of our work: and isles he sends us his message of love, by those ministers must even "travail in birth," by their whom "Jesus hath delivered from the wrath anxious desires and fervent wrestlings, before to come." (Notes, 2 Cor. 5:18-21. 1 Thes. 1:9, children are brought forth unto God. (Note, 10.) We have heard his name and the report Gal. 4:17-20.) They must also wait, as the of his salvation: may he open our eyes to see husbandman for the precious fruits of the his glory, that we may forward the promulgaearth; and at last be thankful even for a few tion of his gospel, and the declaration of that seals to their ministry. But when the Lord is || glory, to the nations which have never yet pleased to interpose in an extraordinary man- seen or heard it. May the Lord send forth ner, the work will be done easily, speedily, multitudes of able, faithful ministers into all and beyond expectation. The success, which lands, who, by every means and in every way, would richly have repaid the labors of many may gather in his elect from the four quarters years, shall crown one sermon; and believers of the globe; that all its inhabitants may beshall grow as rapidly in grace, as converts are come members of his church on earth, and inmade to the Lord. Thus in the days of the herit his holy mountain, "to the praise of the apostles, "as soon as Zion travailed she glory of his grace:" that even from among the brought forth her children;" "a nation" seem- benighted Indians and Africans, Chinese, and ed to be "born in a day:" and the Lord is still the inhabitants of Japan, South America, and able so to influence the hearts of men, that the islands in the Pacific Ocean, priests and whole kingdoms shall at once, without labor Levites may be raised up to minister before or difficulty, welcome, profess, and adorn the him; and thus to diffuse his salvation furgospel. The time of this deliverance of Zion ||ther and wider, till "the earth be filled with approaches; and "he who bringeth to the the knowledge of his glory, as the waters covbirth, will give strength to bring forth." Let er the sea."-The Lord will surely maintain us then say, in admiring faith, "Who hath and prosper his cause. The heavens and heard or seen such things!" and not fail to earth which now exist, are indeed "reserved shew our sympathy with the church in her unto fire, to the day of judgment and perdisorrows, by pleading continually for her joyful tion of ungodly men:" but his new heaven and deliverance. Then shall we assuredly rejoice earth shall endure for ever; and so shall the in her joy, and partake of her consolations. name and seed of his believing people. Let And even now, if we diligently attend on the us then hearken to his voice, attend on his orordinances of God, and desire and seek for dinances, hallow his sabbaths, and keep his "the sincere milk of the word that we may word. For all his enemies, whether they exgrow thereby," we shall "suck, and be satis- perience or escape his temporal judgments, fied with the breasts of her consolations;" es- shall perish: and we shall see all the ungodly pecially if we carefully avoid whatever may "go away into everlasting fire, prepared for prevent our "furtherance and joy of faith." the devil and his angels." "Then shall ye reLet us then renounce the vain pleasures of the turn, and discern between the righteous and world and of sin, that we may experience the wicked, between him that serveth God, these pure and satisfying joys; and we shall and him that serveth him not."-lf then "thy soon be delighted with all the splendor and right hand," or foot, or eye, "offend thee, cut glory of the church triumphant.-In other it off," or "pluck it out;" for it is better to "enpossessions, as the numbers of proprietors in- ter into life, with one eye, or hand, or foot; crease, the value to each is diminished; but than having two, to be cast into hell-fire, the privileges and felicity of all Christians is where their worm dieth not, and the fire is enhanced, by every accession of converts to not quenched," and "they shall be an abhorChrist. There is also abundant provision ring to all flesh." THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. JEREMIAH (whose name signifies "The exaltation of JEHOVAH,") entered upon the prophetical office about seventy years after the death of Isaiah; during which time the reigns of Manasseh and Amon had intervened, (Notes, 2 Kings 21: 2 Chr. 33:) and the first years of Josiah. The nation of the Jews was at that time almost wholly given up to idolatry and wickedness. A short revival indeed took place under Josiah: but the people were, in general, hypocrites in the professed reformation; so that they speedily relapsed into idolatry, and soon became ripe for divine judgments.-Jeremiah prophesied for above forty years preceding the Babylonish captivity, and for some time afterwards; and this book consists chiefly of abstracts from the several messages with which he was sent by God to the people: these are remarkable for being replete with plain and faithful reproofs, tender and affectionate expostulations, and awful denunciations of impending judgments. They are occasionally interspersed with narratives of the hard usage, with which the prophet met, and with historical records of national affairs. No exact order is observed in the arrangement of the different prophecies; and the labors of learned men, in classing them, according to the time when delivered, are not altogether satisfactory: but many of them are dated.-Jeremiah was a man of very tender spirit, and he endured many sorrows; but he seems to have been most affected by the miseries of his people, which he both predicted, and witnessed. Having seen the utter desolation of Jerusalem and Judah, he was carried into Egypt by the remnant of the Jews, who rebelliously fled thither: and there he continued to prophesy; till they were at length so enraged by his reproofs, that they stoned him to death, as it is credibly attested by several ancient writers.-A large proportion of Jeremiah's predictions were accomplished during his life-time, or soon after his death: all those, for instance, which related to the desolations of Jerusalem and Judah, and the adjacent countries, by the Chaldeans; and the return of the Jews from Babylon at the end of seventy years. These, in the way of argument and evidence, were most conclusive to his contemporaries, and the immediately succeeding generations; especially, as the want of historical records renders us unable, in many cases, to explain the prophecies, except from the sacred narrative. But several of this prophet's predictions relate to more remote ages, and some have not yet been fulfilled.-When proud Babylon was at the height of her prosperity, he foretold, not only that the Medes and Persians should prevail against her, but also that she should sink and rise no more; (51:63,64.) which has received a most remarkable accomplishment. He predicted also the abolition of the ritual law, and the union of Israel and Judah in one faith; and the conversion of all nations; (Notes, 3:16-19. 31:31-34.) the dispersion of the Jews, and their preservation as a distinct people in their dispersions, which has been fulfilled to this day; (Notes, 30:10,11. 46:27,28.) the calling of the gentiles; (Notes, 4:1,2. 16:19-21.) the destruction of idolatry; (Note, 10:11.) and the person and kingdom of Christ, with the introduction of a new dispensation, and exceedingly great and permanent prosperity to the cause of religion; with clear declarations concerning the conversion of the Jews to Christ, and their restoration to their own land. (Notes, 23: 33:)— The comment will shew, that this statement is well founded: yet nothing could appear more improbable, when Jeremiah wrote, than many of the events which he predicted; and it is undeniable that his prophecies have been most wonderfully accomplished.It appears, that Jeremiah's reputation as a prophet, was very high among the Jews, in the time of our Savior: for when the people were divided in opinion who Jesus was; some supposed him to be Elijah, and others Jeremiah.-His prophecies are repeatedly quoted in the New Testament, as "the oracles of God;" and thus receive the most unreserved sanction of the apostles and evangelists. (Compare 31:15. Matt. 2:17,18.-6:16. Matt. 11:29.-9:23,24. 1 Cor. 1:29 -31.-31:31-34. Heb. 8:8-13. 10:15-17.) These last references are peculiarly important; for in the one of them, God himself is mentioned as speaking the words referred to; and in the other it is said, "Whereof the Holy Ghost is a witness to us." This is decisive, as to the judgment of the inspired apostles, respecting the book on which we now enter; and is peculiarly suited to put us upon our guard against those professed friends of the scriptures, who speak of these books, as venerable, authentic, or genuine remains of antiquity, of great value and high authority; but hesitate to vindicate them as divinely inspired.-A great part of this book is supposed to be poetry: and though Jeremiah is thought inferior to Isaiah in sublimity; (which may perhaps be owing to the different circumstances in which they lived, and the different subjects on which they treated;) yet it must be allowed, that he is admirably pathetical, his descriptions of approaching judgments are peculiarly vivid; and his eloquence is very vigorous and impressive, when inveighing against the shameless audacity of the people in rebellion against God.-It is generally allowed, that the last chapter was added after Jeremiah's death; perhaps by Ezra. It is not known who arranged his prophecies in their present order, or by what means it has occurred, that the arrangement appears so irregular and perplexed. VOL. IV. 31 [241 CHAP. I. Some account of Jeremiah; and of the times during which he His His calling and commission, 4-10 prophesied. 1-3. visions, of an almond-tree, and of a seething pot, explained to him, 11-16. He is encouraged by promises of protection and assistance, 17-19. THHH HE words of Jeremiah the son of 2 To whom the word of the LORD came, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. 3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, & unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month. 6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD, behold, PI cannot speak; for I am a child. 7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Ps. 71:5,6. Is. 49:15. Luke i See on b. 2.-Ez. 1:3. 3:16. 1.76. Gal. 1:15. 1 Ex. 33:12,17. Rom. 8:29. 2 n Luke 1:15,41. Rom. 1:1. Heb. gave. Eph. 1:22. 4:11, 12. o 4:10. 14:13. 32:17. p Ex. 4:10-16. 6.12,30. Is. 6:5. r 17,18. Ex. 7:1.2. 1 Kings 22:14. 2 Chr. 18:13. Ez. 23 -5. 3:17-21,27. Matt. 28:20 Mark 16:15, 16. Acts 20:27. s 17. Is. 51:7,12. Ez. 26,7. 3: 8,9. Matt. 10:26,28. Luke 12 4,5. Acts 4:13, 29. Eph. 6:20. t 15:20,21. 20:11. Ex. 3:12. Deut. 31:6,8. Josh. 1.5.9. Is. 43:2. Matt. 28:20. Acts 7:9, 10. 18:10. 26:17. 2 Cor. 1:810. 2 Tim. 4:17,18. Heb. 13: 5,6. 'son out of a multitude, and call him by name, John 10:36. Lowth. (Notes, Ex. 33:12-17. Is. 45:1-6. Acts 15:13-18, v. 18. Rom. 8:29 -31. 2 Tim. 2:19. Heb. 10:28-31, v. 29.) Jeremiah did not only prophesy concerning the Jews, and Israelites; but also the Egyp tians, Babylonians, Moabites, and other nations. (Notes, 25: 46:—51:) CHAP. I. V. 1-3. Jeremiah, being of the family of Aaron, would have been an ordinary teacher of the people, if he had not been calfed to his extraordinary office: and the priestly and prophetical character were combined in him; as in Ezekiel and in John the Baptist. Some think that he was the son of Hilkiah... the high priest, who found the book of the law in the temple: (Note, 2 Kings 22:8-11.) but, as no intimation is given of this in the subsequent history, the opinion is not at all probable.-Anathoth was about three miles distant from Jerusalem. (Marg. Ref. c.) Jeremiah was appointed to prophesy just after Josiah had effectually begun his reformation: and great things might have been expected from the united efforts of such a king and such a prophet, both young, and likely to continue long to be useful to the nation: yet their zeal ous labors aggravated the guilt, and thus accelerated the ruin, of their incorrigible countrymen. Jeremiah prophesied forty years before the expulsion of the Jews from the promised land; as Moses had prophesied forty || years previous to their entrance into it; but with a very different effect.-Fifth month. (3) Note, Zech. 7:2,3, v. 3. V. 4. This seems to have been a visible 'appearance of the divine majesty, by the 'Son of God, or the second Person of the 'blessed Trinity. ... Gen. 18:2. Josh. 5:13. '1:26. Dan. 8:15,18. 10:6,10.' Lowth. (Note, 9,10. Is. 6:1-4.) Ez. V.6-8. The prophet would have declined, at least for the present, the service to which he was called. He was young and inexperienced; (Notes, 1 Kings 3:5-14. 1 Chr. 22:25, v. 5.) he did not consider himself as competent to so arduous and important an office; and he especially thought himself defective in the capacity of speaking with fluency and pertinency, or with that boldness and presence of mind which were requisite. (Notes, Ex. 3: 11–13. 4:10–14. 6:12.) This hesitation, though it arose from humility, and a proper sense of the greatness of the work, was alloyed with a mixture of unbelief, and a timid reluctancy to the perils and hardships, to which he might be exposed. The Lord therefore over-ruled his objection, and ordered him not to say that be was a child; for he would embolden and strengthen him to address all, to whom he sent him, and give him utterance to speak all that he commanded him: be ought therefore to dismiss his fears, and rest assured that God would be with him to defend and deliver him. (Notes, Matt. 10:19,20. 28:19,20, v. 20. Luke 12:11,12. 21:12-19, v. 15. Acts 4:29-31. 6:9 par--14, v. 10.)-The word translated "a child" is used with great latitude in scripture; and frequently signifies one who has arrived at full maturity: so that we cannot from it determine any thing concerning the age of Jeremiah, when he entered on his prophetical office: though the number of years, during which he executed the prophetical office, shews, that he must at this time have been young.-'To re'prove the faults of all persons, the great men V. 5. The Lord foreknew Jeremiah before he was formed in the womb; and gave him his being for the purpose of making him a prophet to Israel, and to other nations: he separated him, by his fixed determination for this work, before his birth; and perhaps made him taker of the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, even in his mother's womb. And he let him know this his appointment, that he might prepare for the work assigned him, and apply himself to it. (Notes, Judg. 13:2-5. Is. 49:1, 2. Luke 1:11-17. Acts 9:15,16, v. 15. Gal. 1:15-24, v. 15.) This favor is expressed by knowing him, or taking special notice of him: 'as if a prince should single one particular per u Ex. 4:11.12. Is. 6:6,7. 49:2. Ex. 4:15,16. Is. 51:16. y 25:15-27. 27:2-7. 46:-51: Rev. 19:19-21. a 18:9. 24:6. 31:4,5,28. Is. 44:26 b Am. 7:8. 8:2. Zech. 4:2. 5:2. d Deut. 5:28. 18:17. Luke 10: e 39: 52: Deut. 32:35. Ez. 12: f Gen. 41:32. 2 Cor. 13:1,2. seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north. 14 Then the LORD said unto me, h Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. 15 For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, k and against all the cities of Judah. 16 And I will utter my judgments against them, touching all their wickedness, In who have forsaken me," and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands. g Ez. 11:3. 24.3-14. Heb. from the face of the north. h 4:6. 6:1,22. 10:22. 31:8. 46:20. i 5:15, 6:22. 10:22,25. 25:9,28, j 39.3. 43:10. Is. 22:7. k 4:16. 9:11. 33:10. 34:22. 44:6. 1 4:12,28. 5:9,29. Ez. 24:14 Joel 2:11. Matt. 23:35,36. m 2:13,17. 15:6. 16:11. 17:13. 19: 4. Deut. 28:20. 31:16,17. Josh. 24:20. 2 Kings 22:17. 2 Chr. 7:19. 15:2. 34:25. And thus the very messages, which, if properly received, would have been the means of their preservation, eventually accelerated and enhanced their punishment. (Note, 2 Cor. 2: 15-17.) the almond-tree, but the very sound of the Hebrew word that signifies it, denotes God's hastening to fulfil the prophecies which Jere"miab uttered by his directions.' Lowth. V. 9, 10. This seems to have been an ap- V. 11, 12. This vision of a rod of the almondpearance of the personal Word, in human tree, which is more forward in the spring than form, anticipating his incarnation. (Notes, 4. any other tree, represented the speedy apJohn 1:18.) JEHOVAH put forth his hand, and proach of the judgments predicted against the by touching Jeremiah's mouth signified, that Jews, and other nations; and was an apt emhe would give him a mouth and wisdom, blem of the prophet's mission, who lived to which all his adversaries should not be able to witness the accomplishment of more of his gainsay or resist." (Notes, 6-8. Is. 6:5-7. own predictions, than any other prophet did. 51:15,16.) Thus he gave him commission, and An almond-tree. (11), from py, to hasten. authority over the nations, not to rule or make, hastening; 12.-'Not only the nature of war against them, but to denounce the judgments of God upon them; and these judgments would be so certainly executed, according to his word, that he might be said "to root them out, and throw them down, &c." (Nole, 18:7-10.) He was also to declare the Lord's mercies and salvation to his people, which would be effectual to build and to plant them. It may likewise mean, that the tendency of the prophet's ministry would be, to repress the idolatry and wickedness of the heathen, and to promote the knowledge of God and true religion among them: and the desolations to be wrought in some of those nations, which had most obstinately opposed the cause of God, would make way for the planting and building of others in their places, who would be more favorable to it. (Marg. Ref. z, a.) The prophets are said to do things, when they declare God's purpose of doing 'them. Thus Ezekiel ... was sent to "destroy 'the city;" (Ez. 43:3.) that is to prophesy con'cerning its destruction. And Isaiah is com"manded to "make the heart of the Jews fat," V. 15. The king of Babylon would invade that is, to foretel their obduration and incre- Judea, and encamp against Jerusalem, not 'dulity. Is. 6:10.)' Lowth. (Notes, Is. 6:9,10. alone, but attended with all those kings and Ez. 43:2-5.)-It may also be added, that God nations, who were his allies, or vassals, and foresaw that the Jews and others would ag- who chiefly inhabited the countries still more gravate their past guilt, and even bring down to the north of Judea than Chaldea was. on themselves both spiritual and temporal (Notes, 34:1-5, v. 1. 43:8--13, v. 10. 50:41,42.) judgments, by hardening their hearts against V. 16. Jeremiah would especially be emthe warnings and exhortations of his prophets.ployed, in solemnly denouncing, in the name V. 13, 14. By another emblem, the Lord shewed Jeremiah what was to be the grand subject of his ministry, namely, the destruction of his people by the king of Babylon, whose dominions lay northward of Judea. Jerusalem was represented to him, by a pot, or caldron, boiling, or pouring out steam, as placed over a large fire: for the city was all in commotion, and about to be emptied by that fiery indignation which distressed it. (Note, Gen. 15:17.) The face of this seething pot was towards the north: the place under the caldron, which was opened to receive the fuel, by which the fire was kept up, faced the north; by which the Lord instructed the prophet, that out of the north an evil should break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. (Notes, 4:5-7. Ez. 11:1-12. 24:1-13.) |