2. ( :-). swear falsely—not a judicial oath; but their profession of the worship of Jehovah is insincere (Jeremiah 5:7; Jeremiah 4:2). The reformation under Josiah was merely superficial in the case of the majority. read more
The depth of Judah’s sin 5:1-9God gave His people reasons for the coming judgment. He stressed social and personal sins particularly."Jeremiah now appreciates the moral necessity for God’s judgment of His people, as he sees clearly with his own eyes the iniquity, selfishness and depravity of life in Jerusalem." [Note: Harrison, Jeremiah and . . ., p. 74.] read more
The Jerusalemites used the Lord’s name to swear by, but then they showed no respect for Him-by breaking their promises made in His name. When a person swore by Yahweh’s name, he or she called on the Lord to punish him or her, if the person swearing later violated the terms of the oath. read more
1-9. The universal corruption of the city prevents forgiveness.2. Though they say, The Lord liveth] i.e. though they take the most solemn form of oath, as opposed to those held by the Jews to be of less obligation: cp. Matthew 5:34, Matthew 5:35. 3 The truth] RM ’faithfulness.’ It is this that God looks for. 4. These are poor, etc.] i.e. the ignorant ones who know no better. 5. Yoke.. bonds] i.e. restraints of God’s law. 6. Lion] i.e. the invader: cp. Matthew 4:7. Evenings] RM ’deserts.’7-8.... read more
(2) The Lord liveth.—The words imply that a distinction between the binding powers of different formulæ of adjuration, like that of the later scribes (Matthew 23:16), was already in some degree prevalent. The guilt of the men of Jerusalem was that they took the most solemn formula of all, “Jehovah liveth,” and yet were guilty of perjury. In Jeremiah 5:7 we find traces of the practice of swearing by other gods, with which this “oath of Jehovah” is apparently contrasted.Falsely.—Literally, upon... read more
Jeremiah 5:1 To feel and to bring out the force of this verse stress must be laid upon the word man. The text tells us what a man is; how rare a man is; how valuable a man is. I. The man that is to be sought out according to the direction in this verse is a person that executeth judgment, and that seeketh the truth. A man, then, is first of all one that does what is light and just from principle, uniformly, and towards all. Further, a man is one who not only does what is right, but he has in... read more
; Jeremiah 5:1-31; Jeremiah 6:1-30CHAPTER IVTHE SCYTHIANS AS THE SCOURGE OF GODJeremiah 4:3 - Jeremiah 6:30IF we would understand what is written here and elsewhere in the pages of prophecy, two things would seem to be requisite. We must prepare ourselves with some knowledge of the circumstances of the time, and we must form some general conception of the ideas and aims of the inspired writer, both in themselves, and in their relation to passing events. Of the former, a partial and fragmentary... read more
CHAPTER 5 1. The apostate conditions of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 5:1-9 ) 2. The impending judgment (Jeremiah 5:10-18 ) 3. Sowing and reaping (Jeremiah 5:19-29 ) 4. The horrible thing (Jeremiah 5:30-31 ) Jeremiah 5:1-9 . So degenerate had the inhabitants of Jerusalem become that the Lord promised if but one man could be found in the city who executed judgment and sought the truth, He would pardon Jerusalem. It was a general apostasy. A similar apostasy is predicted for the end of our age.... read more
5:2 And though they say, The {b} LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely.(b) Though they pretend religion and holiness, yet all is but hypocrisy: for under this kind of swearing is contained the true religion. read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Jeremiah 5:2
Jeremiah 5:2. Surely they swear falsely— Nevertheless, &c. See Jer 5:7 and ch. Jeremiah 4:2. Let what we say be ever so true, if we believe it not to be so, we have not spoken truth. Custom has brought many to church and to meeting, who forget why they came thither when they are there; and too frequently do many of us find ourselves at our prayers, when we least think of Him, to whom we pretend to direct those prayers. And as they whom we trust, and are familiar with, have much more power... read more