Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 9:7
7. I will melt them… try them Even their punishment is not simply retributive, but rather, corrective. God punishes for their sake and not for his own. He puts them into the crucible, not to torture, but to purify. How shall I do, etc. That is, how else can I do? Is there any other course for me to take? Other and milder measures have failed, this alone remains. read more
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 9:4-6
4-6. Every brother will utterly supplant, etc. A terrible indictment! Just in the ratio in which truth is put down must the bonds of mutual confidence be relaxed. Such a state of things brought forward to its full result and made permanent, would be hell! No material flames would be needed. The fires of universal enmity and distrust would burn to the very core of the soul. read more