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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 31:18-26

We have here, I. Ephraim's repentance, and return to God. Not only Judah, but Ephraim the ten tribes, shall be restored, and therefore shall thus be prepared and qualified for it, Hos. 14:8. Ephraim shall say, What have I do to any more with idols? Ephraim the people, is here spoken of as a single person to denote their unanimity; they shall be as one man in their repentance and shall glorify God in it with one mind and one mouth, one and all. It is likewise thus expressed that it might be the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 31:19

Surely after that I was turned I repented ,.... Ephraim's prayer was answered; as he prayed he might be turned, he was; and when he was turned, then he repented, not only of sin in general, but of such sins as he had been particularly guilty of; not only of the grosser actions of life, but of inward sins, secret lusts and corruptions; even of sins of holy things, having now different sentiments, affections, and conduct: and this is what is called evangelical repentance, and is from the grace... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:19

After that I was turned - Converted from my sin, folly, and idolatry. I repented - To conviction of sin, I now added contrition for sin. Conviction, in this sense of the word, must precede contrition or repentance. As soon as a man sees himself lost and undone, he is convicted of sin; when convicted, he begins to mourn. Thus contrition follows conviction. I smote upon my thigh - My sorrow grew deeper and deeper; I smote upon my thigh through the extremity of my distress. This was a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 31:19

Verse 19 Jeremiah now proceeds with what he had before briefly touched upon, even to shew that the punishment inflicted on the Israelites had not been without its fruit. And this is a doctrine which ought especially to be known, for we always shun whatever is hard to the flesh; so that if it were according to our own will, the chastisements of God would never be well received by us. It is, therefore, necessary to regard the end, as the Apostle reminds us. (Hebrews 12:11) Now when we see that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:15-22

From this glorious prospect Jeremiah's eye turns to the melancholy present. The land of Ephraim is orphaned and desolate. The prophet seems to hear Rachel weeping for her banished children, and comforts her with the assurance that they shall yet be restored. For Ephraim has come to repentance, and longs for reconciliation with his God, and God, who has overheard his soliloquy, relents, and comes to meet him with gracious promises. Then another voice is heard summoning Ephraim to prepare for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:18-19

The ground of this hope, viz. that Ephraim will humble himself with deep contrition. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:18-19

Bemoaning one's self. The very word suggests sorrow, weariness, distress. And all the more when the reason of such bemoaning is not something external to ourselves, as when Rachel wept for her children, but something in ourselves, when we are the cause of our own distress. I. INQUIRE WHEREFORE THIS BEMOANING . 1 . That he had called down upon himself the chastisements of God. 2 . That these chastisements had been of no avail. 3 . That now it was made evident there... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:18-21

Ephraim bemoaning himself; or, the penitent's restoration. The exiled Israelites are represented as about to grieve over their apostasy, and to seek God in confession and prayer. The answer of God is full of mercy and encouragement. The Captivity is to be brought back, and the cities of Israel are to be again occupied. I. THE STAGES AND PROCESSES OF TRUE REPENTANCE . ( Jeremiah 31:18 , Jeremiah 31:19 .) 1 . Conviction and acknowledgment of sin. The unbroken... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:19

After that I was turned, I repented; rather, after my turning away ( as Jeremiah 8:4 ), I have repented. It is a different kind of "turning" which is here meant, a turning away from God. I was instructed; literally, I was made to know; i.e. brought to my senses by punishment. I smote upon my thigh; rather, I have smitten, etc. Ephraim describes his present state of mind, and the symbols by which he translates it into act. Smiting upon the thigh was a sign of mourning (comp. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 31:19

Conversion and repentance. I. BOTH THESE ARE TOLD OF HERE . Conversion is. It is spoken of as "being turned" and "instructed." Repentance is . It is spoken of plainly and again figuratively: "I smote upon my thigh" This is a common mode of expressing indignation and grief. II. AND REPENTANCE IS SAID TO COME AFTER CONVERSION . And this is ever so. Not that there is no repentance prior to conversion. There is, and a genuine one. The "bemoaning" spoken of... read more

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