Jeremiah 3:21-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 3:22

Backsliding Israel. "Backsliding" was the characteristic vice of the Jewish people throughout the whole course of their history. Their career was one of perpetual sinning and repenting, until the great apostasy, the final "falling away." And in this we see what is too often a truthful reflection of the individual life of men. The Jews were emphatically a representative people. Not merely does their recorded history represent the method of God's ways, but it illustrates the folly and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 3:23

From false to true salvation. I. THE NEED OF SALVATION . This seems to be confessed before as much as after repentance. In both conditions Israel must turn somewhere for deliverance. 1. The need is universal . Israel was in national danger; but socially and privately men felt a vague sense of unrest and helplessness, and their heathen rites were a proof of this. The mystery of existence, the weariness of toil, the sorrow and disappointments of common experience, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 3:24

For shame ; rather, and the Shame (i.e. the Baal). The words Bosheth ("Shame") and Baal are frequently interchanged; so again in Jeremiah 11:13 (comp. Hosea 9:10 ). So, too, Jerubbesheth stands for Jerubbaal ( 2 Samuel 11:21 ; comp. 6:32 ); Ishbosheth for Eshbaal. Hath devoured the labor of our fathers , etc.; a condensed way of saying that Baal-worship has brought the judgments' of God upon us,, our flocks, and herds, and all the other labor (or rather "wealth;' i . e . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 3:24-25

Shame. I. SHAME IS A NATURAL ACCOMPANIMENT OF GUILT . 1. Distinguish shame from modesty . Modesty is the fear of shame. Modesty shrinks from doing the thing which when done will result, or ought to result, in shame. Thus modesty pertains to innocence, shame to guilt. 2. Distinguish natural shame from guilty shame . Natural shame results from the exposure of what should be kept private but is pure in itself—this applies to spiritual as well as bodily delicacy;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 3:25

Truly in vain , etc. An obscure and (if corruption exists anywhere) corrupt passage, which, however, it is hopeless to attempt to emend, as the corruption consists partly in wrong letters, partly in omitted letters or words (or both); and, moreover, the text employed by the Septuagint appears to have presented the same difficulty. The latter point is especially noteworthy. It is far from proving that the traditional text is correct; what it does suggest is that the writings of the prophets... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 3:25

We lie down ; rather, Let us lie down ; said in despair, just as Hezekiah says, "Let us enter the gates of Sheol" ( Isaiah 38:10 ). A prostrate position is the natural expression of deep sorrow ( 2 Samuel 12:16 ; 2 Samuel 13:31 ; 1 Kings 21:4 ). Our confusion covereth us ; rather, Let our confusion (or reproach ) cover us ( like a veil ) (comp. Jeremiah 51:51 ; Psalms 69:7 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 3:21

Upon the high places - Upon those bare table-lands, which previously had been the scene of Israel’s idolatries Jeremiah 3:2. The prophet supposes the offer of mercy to Israel if repentant to have been accepted, and describes Israel’s agony of grief now that she is convinced of her sins.Weeping and supplications - literally, “the weeping of earliest prayers for mercy.”For they have ... - Rather, because “they hare perverted their way,” literally, made it crooked. It gives the reason of their cry... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 3:22

Yahweh’s answer to their prayer in Jeremiah 3:21 is immediately followed by their acceptance of the offer of divine mercy.For - Rather, because ... This profession of faith gives the reason why they return to Yahweh. The whole description is most graphically conceived. The people weeping upon the hills: God’s gracious voice bidding them return: the glad cry of the penitents exclaiming that they come: the profession of faith won from them by the divine love; these form altogether a most touching... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 3:23

Rather, Surely “in vain from the hills” is the revelry of the mountains. The penitents contrast in it the uselessness of idol-worship with the salvation which Yahweh gives to His people. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 3:24

For ... - And. It is the continuation of the thought in Jeremiah 3:23. Idolatry was there described as unprofitable, here as ruinous and hurtful.Shame - literally, the shame (Bosheth, personified), that is, “Baal.” The names “Bosheth” and “Baal” are constantly interchanged. Compare Judges 6:31-32.Their flocks and their herds - The temperate and sober enjoyments connected with Yahweh’s sacrifices led to no excess, whereas in idol-worship the people, after sitting down “to eat and drink, rose up... read more

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