He was to explain that the coming judgment was due to the accumulated sins of their forefathers, in forsaking the Lord and His covenant, and in practicing idolatry. Sin has a cumulative effect in that it results in conditions that affect the behavior of others, including later generations. read more
Jeremiah’s Ninth Prophecy (Reign of Jehoiakim?). Punishment of Judah by Pestilence and Exile.It is clear from Jeremiah 17:15, in which the people challenge the prophet to point to a fulfilment of his prophecies of woe, that it is at any rate earlier than the capture of Jerusalem at the end of Jehoiachin’s reign. read more
1-13. Selfdenial and an ascetic, life are to be the prophet’s lot.6. Nor cut themselves] in token of mourning: cp. Jeremiah 47:5. 7. Tear themselves for them] RV ’break bread for them.’ The reference here and in the rest of the v. is to the custom that the friends should urge the mourners to eat and drink: cp. 2 Samuel 3:35; 2 Samuel 12:16; Proverbs 31:6.12. Imagination] cp. Jeremiah 3:17. 13. There shall ye serve other gods] if you please. Spoken ironically.14-21. The deliverance will be in... read more
The Coming Calamities: Restoration Promised, Ruin Imminent on Account of Judah’s Sin and Concerning the Sabbath (16-17) CHAPTER 16 1. The coming calamities (Jeremiah 16:1-13 ) 2. The coming days of restoration and blessing (Jeremiah 16:14-21 ) Jeremiah 16:1-13 . In view of the coming calamities Jeremiah is bidden to remain unmarried and not to raise a family. The verses which describe the coming calamities need no further annotations. Jeremiah 16:14-21 . The great dispersion was announced... read more
“ IN THE SWELLING OF JORDAN ” God told the prophet worse was to come. The Swelling of Jordan would be experienced later, and in the present lesson, especially towards the close, we have an illustration of it. There are things of interest to look at in the meantime, for example, an illustration of that symbolic teaching mentioned earlier. In chapter 13 we have what two symbols? See Jeremiah 13:1-11 for the first and Jeremiah 13:12-14 for the second. The prophet acted these out before the... read more
Larger Providences Jer 16:14-15 Thus epochs are made; thus new dates are introduced into human history; thus the less is merged in the greater; the little judgment is lost in the great judgment, and the mercy that once appeared to be so great seems to be quite small compared with the greater mercy that has healed and blessed our life. This is the music and this is the meaning of the passage. Once the great thought was the Egyptian deliverance: how marvellous, how unexpected, how mighty was... read more
There is a wonderful degree of condescension, implied on the part of God in what is here said. Where there is an enquiry seriously set up in the soul, concerning the ways and works of God, in his visitation; there the Lord will vouchsafe to explain. Reader! let this encourage in all dark seasons, to tell out your sorrows and exercises, and place them down before the throne! read more
10-13 Here seems to be the language of those who quarrel at the word of God, and instead of humbling and condemning themselves, justify themselves, as though God did them wrong. A plain and full answer is given. They were more obstinate in sin than their fathers, walking every one after the devices of his heart. Since they will not hearken, they shall be hurried away into a far country, a land they know not. If they had God's favour, that would make even the land of their captivity pleasant. read more
Reasons for the Captivity v. 10. And it shall come to pass, when thou shall show this people all these words, declaring to them the judgment of the Lord, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the Lord pronounced all this great evil against us? this being asked with a great show of pretended innocence, or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against the Lord, our God? the implied assertion being that they were being threatened without a cause, v. 11. then... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Jeremiah 16:1-13
The special conditions of Jeremiah’s life 16:1-13Sometimes God used the events in the lives of His prophets to speak to the people, in addition to their messages."Hosea’s unhappy marriage (Hosea 1-3), Isaiah’s family (Isaiah 7-8), the death of Ezekiel’s wife (Ezekiel 24:15-27), and Jeremiah’s call to remain unmarried are all examples of the proclamation of the word through family events." [Note: Thompson, p. 403. See also Isaiah 20.] read more