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
Fathers. Hence you are justly partakers of their punishment, Matthew xxiii. 32. (Calmet) --- A continuance in sin brings on severe punishments; after which, God again shews mercy. (Worthington) 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
CHAPTER 163. Instructions as to the conduct of the Lord’s servant among the people who have incurred judgmentJeremiah 16:1-91 The word of Jehovah came also unto me, saying,2 Thou shalt not take to thee a wife,Nor shalt thou have sons and daughters in this place:3 For thus saith Jehovah of the sons and of the daughters born in this place,And of their mothers that bare them,And of their fathers that begat them in this land:4 Miserable deaths1 shall they die,They shall not be... read more
The controversy was immediately followed by a new charge to the prophet. Jehovah called him to a life of personal asceticism, commanding that he abstain from both mourning and mirth. That is to say, he was to stand aloof from the people in order to deliver to them the messages of his God. His messages of judgment would provoke inquiry among the people concerning the reason of God's dealings with them. The prophet was charged to make clear to them that these things resulted from their own sin.... read more
Jeremiah Was Not To Take A Wife Or Have Sons And Daughters, Attend Funerals, Or Participate in Feasting, As A Sign Of The Devastation That Was Coming On Judah Which Would Transform Life For All Its Inhabitants Who Survived (Jeremiah 16:1-13 ). In powerful words YHWH now tells Jeremiah that he is to demonstrate to Judah what is coming on them in three distinct ways, each of which was to do with things central to Judah’s way of life: firstly by himself not taking a wife or having children,... read more
Section 5. The Word Concerning The Droughts: The Certainty Of Exile For Judah (Jeremiah 14:1 to Jeremiah 17:27 ). The new section is again introduced by the words ‘The word of YHWH which came to Jeremiah --’ (Jeremiah 14:1) although in slightly altered form (literally ‘that which came, the word of YHWH, to Jeremiah’). “The word concerning the droughts” gives illustrative evidence confirming that the impending judgment of Judah cannot be turned aside by any prayers or entreaties, and that... read more
What Jeremiah Is To Answer Once He Has Given His Explanation As To Why He Is Abstaining From Marriage And Family Life, From All Forms Of Mourning, And From All Celebratory Feasts (Jeremiah 16:10-18 ). With Jeremiah having brought home to the people the significance of his signs, i.e. that they are indications of great desolation ahead, they are then moved to ask him why YHWH has pronounced this great evil on them (Jeremiah 16:10). In view of their claim that ‘they had done nothing wrong’ we... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Jeremiah 16:1-21
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