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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 42:7-22

We have here the answer which Jeremiah was sent to deliver to those who employed him to ask counsel of God. I. It did not come immediately, not till ten days after, Jer. 42:7. They were thus long held in suspense, perhaps, to punish them for their hypocrisy or to show that Jeremiah did not speak of himself, nor what he would, for he could not speak when he would, but must wait for instructions. However, it teaches us to continue waiting upon God for direction in our way. The vision is for an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 42:7

And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah. Abarbinel thinks it was on the tenth day of the seventh month, the day of atonement, that the answer was returned; but it is clear, from the context, that it was ten days from the time the Jews applied to the prophet to inquire of the Lord for them, and he promised to do it, that this word came from the Lord to him; not that he was praying all this while, as some think; but, having spread the case before the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 42:8

Then called he Johanan the son of Kareah ,.... That is, Jeremiah, as soon as he had received the answer from the Lord, called to Johanan; who, after the death of Gedaliah, was a person of the greatest authority, and had the command of the people, to come unto him, and hear what it was: he either called to him vocally and by name; or he sent a proper messenger to him, to meet him at some convenient place, to receive it; and not him only, but all the captains of the forces which were with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 42:9

And said unto them, thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel ,.... That had chosen Israel; had a favour for that people, and bestowed many blessings on them, and continued in a covenant relation to them; and therefore what he said should be regarded by them. This preface is made by the prophet, to show that what he was about to say was not of himself, and in his own name; but was from the Lord, and who bore a good will to them; and therefore whatever he said should be taken in good part, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 42:10

If ye will still abide in this land ,.... In the land of Judea, their native country, where they had always lived, and where they continued when their brethren were carried captive; and yet they thought of going out of it, which the Lord knew; and therefore to encourage them to abide in it, and not think of departing into Egypt; that if they would take up their residence in it, and determine to continue there, he thus promises them: then will I build you, and not pull you down: and I... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 42:11

Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid ,.... Lest he should revenge the death of Gedaliah upon them, which was a groundless fear; see Jeremiah 41:18 ; or that they should be dealt hardly with by him, and be cruelly oppressed, and not able to live in subjection to him; see Jeremiah 40:9 ; be not afraid of him, saith the Lord: who, being omniscient, knew they were ; and, being omnipotent, a greater King than the king of Babylon, the King of king?, they had no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 42:12

And I will show mercies unto you ,.... Bestow blessings of goodness upon them, out of pure mercy and compassion to them, and not according to their merits; or I will cause others to show mercy to them, even the king of Babylon, as follows: God shows mercy to men when he stirs up the compassion of others towards them: that he may have mercy upon you ; and not avenge the death of Gedaliah, or any way cruelly oppress them, but show them all the favour they could wish for or expect under... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 42:13

But if ye say, we will not dwell in this land ,.... Or continue any longer in it, but go into Egypt:, neither obey the voice of the Lord your God ; or, "so as not to hearken to" or "obey", &c.; F21 לבלתי שמע "ita ut non auscultetis", Piscator, Cocceius; "ut non obediatis", Pagninus, Schmidt; "ut non audiatis", so some in Vatablus. ; for they did not say in so many words that they would not obey the voice of the Lord; they had promised they would; but resolving, against his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 42:14

Saying, no, but we will go into the land of Egypt ,.... It was all one as if they had said, no, we will not obey the voice of the Lord to continue in our own land; we are determined to go into Egypt, induced by the following reasons: where we shall see no war ; either internal, or with a foreign enemy; as both of late in their own land, and which they feared would be again; but promised themselves exemption from both in the land of Egypt, and therefore coveted to dwell there: nor hear... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 42:15

And now therefore hear the word of the Lord, ye remnant of Judah ,.... A small remnant indeed, a few that were left in the land; who ought therefore to have admired the distinguishing goodness of Providence in preserving them in it; where they should have continued and made use of their privilege, to the glory of God and their mutual good: thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel ; the Lord of armies above and below, the Lord God omnipotent, and so able to protect them in their... read more

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