It should seem that the Jer. 3:29–37 Jer. 4:1–2 of this chapter might better have been joined to the close of the foregoing chapter, for they are directed to Israel, the ten tribes, by way of reply to their compliance with God’s call, directing and encouraging them to hold their resolution, Jer.

When God called to backsliding Israel to return they immediately answered, Lord, we return; now God here takes notice of their answer, and, by way of reply to it, I. He directs them how to pursue their good resolutions: “Dost thou say, I will return? ” 1.

The prophet here turns his speech, in God’s name, to the men of the place where he lived. We have heard what words he proclaimed towards the north , for the comfort of those that were now in captivity and were humbled under the hand of God; let us now see what he says to the men of Judah and…

God’s usual method is to warn before he wounds. In these verses, accordingly, God gives notice to the Jews of the general desolation that would shortly be brought upon them by a foreign invasion.

The prophet is here in an agony, and cries out like one upon the rack of pain with some acute distemper, or as a woman in travail. The expressions are very pathetic and moving, enough to melt a heart of stone into compassion: My bowels! my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; and yet well, and in…