THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH THE ARGUMENT IT was the great unhappiness of this prophet to be a physician to, but that could not save, a dying state, their disease still prevailing against the remedy; and indeed no wonder that all things were so much out of order, when the book of the law had…

The words, i.e. sermons or prophecies, which he received from God, (as being his mouth to declare them unto the people,) and comprised all in the volume of this book going under his name, as the matter and substance of them. See Poole “Isa. 2:1”.

The word of the Lord; either that commission from God that did authorize him to his prophetical work, as it may probably be taken, John 10:35, was actually given unto him, Jer.

It, viz. the word of the Lord, as Jer. 1:2, came also in the days of Jehoiakim; called at first by Josiah, Eliakim, 2 Kings 23:34. Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin, whereof the former reigned before him, 2 Kings 23:31, the latter succeeded, 2 Kings 24:8, are conceived not to be mentioned, because they…

Then, i. e. when he was first called to his office; or, The Lord then began to speak unto me. Me; a change of the person, a thing very usual with the prophets.

Before I formed thee in the belly, i.e. womb, Isa. 46:3. Having spoken before of the time of his call, Jer. 1:4, he now speaks of the manner of it. I knew thee, i.e. approved and appointed thee, as a fit minister for this work.

Ah! an introductory interjection, making way for his excuse in a way of grief and complaint, endeavouring with all reverence to clear himself of undertaking such a work rashly, it being properly the sigh of one that hath too great a weight upon his shoulders.

Say not, I am a child; do not plead excuses. Thou shalt go: this is God’s answer to Jeremiah, in respect of his sense of his own inability. This may be by way of command, and then it is a check to his timorousness; Thou shalt go, therefore draw not back.

Be not afraid of their faces; their fierce looks, Ezek. 3:9, the indication of their enraged minds, Dan. 3:19; neither when thou deliverest my message to them, nor when thou mayst be cited before them, Matt. 10:18–19.

Then the Lord put forth his hand: God having before excited the prophet to his work by command and promise, doth now in a vision establish and confirm him, either by the hand of an angel, Isa. 6:6–7, or rather, by himself in some visible shape. Touched, Heb. came upon, as the word is used, Judg.

I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms: having now received his commission, he is directed to whom he is to go, viz. to the greatest, not only single persons, but whole nations, as the Babylonians, Persians, and Egyptians, and exhorted to greatness of mind, as being sent as…

This and the boiling caldron, Jer. 1:13, is thought to be at the same time, and in the same vision, when he was first appointed to his work. A rod of an almond tree, viz. that had leaves, and possibly blossoms, on it, like Aaron’s, Num.

Thou hast well seen; or, Thou hast seen and judged right; or, as the Hebrew, Thou hast done well to see, i.e. in seeing so. I will hasten; word for word, I will almond-tree it, i.e.

After the smaller punishment from the Lord follows this of the boiling pot, by which understand Judea and Jerusalem, as may appear by the application that they themselves make of it in a way of scorn and derision, Ezek. 11:3, Ezek. 11:7.

The Lord said; explained this vision. Out of the north, i.e. from Babylon, a metonymy of the subject; for though it lie eastward, yet it is north from Jerusalem, as lying four degrees more from the equinoctial. See Jer. 1:13.

I will call; or, I am upon calling, it is at hand, I am about to incline the northern countries to join together in this work, Jer. 6:22, Jer. 10:22, Jer. 25:9, Jer. 25:26. The families, or kindreds, viz.

I will utter my judgments; cause sentence to be passed according to my threatening. See Jer. 39:5. Or, I will place my bounty and their unworthiness before them. Or, I will upbraid them with their ingratitude, rebellion, and breach of covenant, &c.

Gird up thy loins: by this expression God quickens and hastens him upon his work, not to stand hesitating, but to be doing; prepare thyself: for it is a speech taken from the custom of the countries where they did wear long garments; and therefore they did gird them up about them, that they might…

For, behold; Heb. For I, lo: q.d. For my part, I will not fail to do what I have promised, to stand by thee. A defenced city, Heb. city of defence, impregnable, which the two following expressions do import; it should be supported with pillars, not of wood, but of iron, and encompassed with walls,…

They shall fight against thee; make united attempts upon thee. See Judg. 20:11. They shall not prevail; they shall not be able, by all their devices, to shorten thy days, Jer. 15:20, Jer. 20:10–11. For I am with thee: here is the reason given of his safety, God will be his guard. See Jer.