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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Jeremiah XXXVII].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1712)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>J E R E M I A H.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXXVII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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This chapter brings us very near the destruction of Jerusalem by the
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Chaldeans, for the story of it lies in the latter end of Zedekiah's
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reign; we have in it,
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I. A general idea of the bad character of that reign,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>.
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II. The message which Zedekiah, notwithstanding, sent to Jeremiah to
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desire his prayers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:3">ver. 3</A>.
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III. The flattering hopes which the people had conceived, that the
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Chaldeans would quit the siege of Jerusalem,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:5">ver. 5</A>.
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IV. The assurance God gave them by Jeremiah (who was now at liberty,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:4">ver. 4</A>)
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that the Chaldean army should renew the siege and take the city,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:6-10">ver. 6-10</A>.
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V. The imprisonment of Jeremiah, under pretence that he was a deserter,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:11-15">ver. 11-15</A>.
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VI. The kindness which Zedekiah showed him when he was a prisoner,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:16-21">ver. 16-21</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Jer37_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Zedekiah's Wicked Reign; Sign of Jerusalem.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 589.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And king Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned instead of Coniah
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the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon made
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king in the land of Judah.
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2 But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land,
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did hearken unto the words of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, which he spake by the
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prophet Jeremiah.
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3 And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and
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Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah,
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saying, Pray now unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> our God for us.
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4 Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people: for they
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had not put him into prison.
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5 Then Pharaoh's army was come forth out of Egypt: and when the
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Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they
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departed from Jerusalem.
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6 Then came the word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> unto the prophet Jeremiah,
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saying,
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7 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to
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the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to enquire of me;
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Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall
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return to Egypt into their own land.
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8 And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this
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city, and take it, and burn it with fire.
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9 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The
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Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart.
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10 For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans
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that fight against you, and there remained <I>but</I> wounded men
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among them, <I>yet</I> should they rise up every man in his tent, and
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burn this city with fire.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is,
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1. Jeremiah's preaching slighted,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:1,2"><I>v.</I> 1, 2</A>.
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Zedekiah succeeded Coniah, or Jeconiah, and, though he saw in his
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predecessor the fatal consequences of contemning the word of God, yet
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he did not take warning, nor give any more regard to it than others had
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done before him. <I>Neither he, nor his</I> courtiers, <I>nor the
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people of the land, hearkened unto the words of the Lord,</I> though
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they already began to be fulfilled. Note, Those have hearts wretchedly
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hard indeed that see God's judgments on others, and feel them on
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themselves, and yet will not be humbled and brought to heed what he
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says. These had proof sufficient that it was the Lord who spoke by
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Jeremiah the prophet, and yet they would not hearken to him.
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2. Jeremiah's prayers desired. Zedekiah sent messengers to him,
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saying, <I>Pray now unto the Lord our God for us.</I> He did so before
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+21:1,2"><I>ch.</I> xxi. 1, 2</A>),
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and one of the messengers, Zephaniah, is the same there and here.
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Zedekiah is to be commended for his, and it shows that he had some good
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in him, some sense of his need of God's favour and of his own
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unworthiness to ask it for himself, and some value for good people and
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good ministers, who had an interest in Heaven. Note, When we are in
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distress we ought to desire the prayers of our ministers and Christian
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friends, for thereby we put an honour upon prayer, and an esteem upon
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our brethren. Kings themselves should look upon their praying people as
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the strength of the nation,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+12:5,10">Zech. xii. 5, 10</A>.
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And yet this does but help to condemn Zedekiah out of his own mouth. If
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indeed he looked upon Jeremiah as a prophet, whose prayers might avail
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much both for him and his people, why did he not then believe him, and
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<I>hearken to the words of the Lord</I> which he spoke by him? He
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desired his good prayers, but would not take his good counsel, nor be
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ruled by him, though he spoke in God's name, and it appears by this
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that Zedekiah knew he did. Note, It is common for those to desire to be
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prayed for who will not be advised; but herein they put a cheat upon
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themselves, for how can we expect that God should hear others speaking
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to him for us if we will not hear them speaking to us from him and for
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him? Many who despise prayer when they are in prosperity will be glad
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of it when they are in adversity. Now <I>give us of your oil.</I> When
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Zedekiah sent to the prophet to pray for him, he had better have sent
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for the prophet to pray with him; but he thought that below him: and
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how can those expect the comforts of religion who will not stoop to the
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services of it?
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3. Jerusalem flattered by the retreat of the Chaldean army from it.
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Jeremiah was now at liberty
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>);
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he <I>went in and out among the people,</I> might freely speak to them
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and be spoken to by them. Jerusalem also, for the present, was at
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liberty,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>
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Zedekiah, though a tributary to the king of Babylon, had entered into a
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private league with Pharaoh king of Egypt
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+17:15">Ezek. xvii. 15</A>),
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pursuant to which, when the king of Babylon came to chastise him for
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his treachery, the king of Egypt, though he came no more in person
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after that great defeat which Nebuchadnezzar gave him in the reign of
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Jehoiakim
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+24:7">2 Kings xxiv. 7</A>),
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yet sent some forces to relieve Jerusalem when it was besieged, upon
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notice of the approach of which the Chaldeans raised the siege,
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probably not for fear of them but in policy, to fight them at a
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distance, before any of the Jewish forces could join them. From this
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they encouraged themselves to hope that Jerusalem was delivered for
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good and all out of the hands of its enemies and that the storm was
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quite blown over. Note, Sinners are commonly hardened in their security
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by the intermissions of judgments and the slow proceedings of them; and
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those who will not be awakened by the word of God may justly be lulled
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asleep by the providence of God.
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4. Jerusalem threatened with the return of the Chaldean army and with
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ruin by it. Zedekiah sent to Jeremiah to desire him to pray for them,
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that the Chaldean army might not return; but Jeremiah sends him word
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back that the decree had gone forth, and that it was but a folly for
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them to expect peace, for God had begun a controversy with them, which
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he would make an end of: <I>Thus saith the Lord, Deceive not
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yourselves,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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Note, Satan himself, though he is the great deceiver, could not deceive
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us if we did not deceive ourselves; and thus sinners are their own
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destroyers by being their own deceivers, of which this is an
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aggravation that they are so frequently warned of it and cautioned not
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to deceive themselves, and they have the word of God, the great design
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of which is to undeceive them. Jeremiah uses no dark metaphors, but
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tells them plainly,
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(1.) That the Egyptians shall retreat, and either give back or be
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forced back, into <I>their own land</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+17:17">Ezek. xvii. 17</A>),
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which was said of old
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+30:7">Isa. xxx. 7</A>),
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and is here said again,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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The Egyptians shall help in vain; they shall not dare to face the
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Chaldean army, but shall retire with precipitation. Note, If God help
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us not, no creature can. As no power can prevail against God, so none
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can avail without God nor countervail his departures from us.
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(2.) That the Chaldeans shall return, and shall renew the siege and
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prosecute it with more vigour than ever: <I>They shall not depart</I>
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for good and all
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>);
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<I>they shall come again</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>);
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they shall <I>fight against the city.</I> Note, God has the sovereign
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command of all the hosts of men, even of those that know him not, that
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own him not, and they are all made to serve his purposes. He directs
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their marches, their counter-marches, their retreats, their returns, as
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it pleases him; and furious armies, like <I>stormy winds,</I> in all
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their motions are <I>fulfilling his word.</I>
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(3.) That Jerusalem shall certainly be delivered into the hand of the
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Chaldeans: <I>They shall take it, and burn it with fire,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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The sentence passed upon it shall be executed, and they shall be the
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executioners. "O but" (say they) "the Chaldeans have withdrawn; they
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have quitted the enterprise as impracticable." "And though they have,"
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says the prophet, "nay, <I>though you had smitten</I> their army, so
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that many were slain and all the rest wounded, yet those <I>wounded men
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should rise up and burn this city,</I>"
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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This is designed to denote that the doom passed upon Jerusalem is
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irrevocable, and its destruction inevitable; it must be laid in ruins,
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and these Chaldeans are the men that must destroy it, and it is now in
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vain to think of evading the stroke or contending with it. Note,
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Whatever instruments God has determined to make use of in any service
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for him, whether or mercy or judgment, they shall accomplish that for
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which they are designed, whatever incapacity or disability they may lie
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under or be reduced to. Those by whom God has resolved to save or to
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destroy, saviours they shall be and destroyers they shall be, yea,
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though there were all wounded; for as when God has work to do he will
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not want instruments to do it with, though they may seem far to seek,
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so when he has chosen his instruments they shall do the work, though
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they may seem very unlikely to accomplish it.</P>
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<A NAME="Jer37_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer37_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Jeremiah Attempts to Quit Jerusalem; Jeremiah Imprisoned; Jeremiah Favoured by the King.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 589.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>11 And it came to pass, that when the army of the Chaldeans was
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broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh's army,
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12 Then Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the
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land of Benjamin, to separate himself thence in the midst of the
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people.
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13 And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the
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ward <I>was</I> there, whose name <I>was</I> Irijah, the son of Shelemiah,
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the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
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Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans.
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14 Then said Jeremiah, <I>It is</I> false; I fall not away to the
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Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him: so Irijah took Jeremiah,
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and brought him to the princes.
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15 Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote
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him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe:
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for they had made that the prison.
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16 When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the
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cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days;
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17 Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king
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asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there <I>any</I> word
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from the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou
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shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.
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18 Moreover Jeremiah said unto king Zedekiah, What have I
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offended against thee, or against thy servants, or against this
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people, that ye have put me in prison?
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19 Where <I>are</I> now your prophets which prophesied unto you,
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saying, The king of Babylon shall not come against you, nor
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against this land?
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20 Therefore hear now, I pray thee, O my lord the king: let my
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supplication, I pray thee, be accepted before thee; that thou
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cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest
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I die there.
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21 Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit
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Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give
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him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all
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the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the
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court of the prison.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here a further account concerning Jeremiah, who relates more
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passages concerning himself than any other of the prophets; for the
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histories of the lives and sufferings of God's ministers have been very
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serviceable to the church, as well as their preaching and writing.</P>
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<P>
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I. We are here told that Jeremiah, when he had an opportunity for it,
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attempted to retire out of Jerusalem into the country
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:11,12"><I>v.</I> 11, 12</A>):
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<I>When the Chaldeans</I> had <I>broken up from Jerusalem</I> because
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<I>of Pharaoh's army,</I> upon the notice of their advancing towards
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them, Jeremiah determined <I>to go into the</I> country, and (as the
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margin reads it) <I>to slip away from Jerusalem in the midst of the
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people,</I> who, in that interval of the siege, went out into the
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country to look after their affairs there. He endeavoured to steal away
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in the crowd; for, though he was a man of great eminence, he could well
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reconcile himself to obscurity, though he was one of a thousand, he was
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content to be lost in the multitude and buried alive in a corner, in a
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cottage. Whether he designed for Anathoth or no does not appear; his
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concerns might call him thither, but his neighbours there were such as
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(unless they had mended since
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+11:21"><I>ch.</I> xi. 21</A>)
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might discourage him from coming among them; or he might intend to hide
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himself somewhere where he was not known, and fulfil his own wish
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+9:2"><I>ch.</I> ix. 2</A>),
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<I>Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging-place!</I> Jeremiah found
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he could do no good in Jerusalem; he laboured in vain among them, and
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therefore determined to leave them. Note, there are times when it is
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the wisdom of good men to retire into privacy, to <I>enter into the
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chamber and shut the doors about them,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:20">Isa. xxvi. 20</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. That in this attempt he was seized as a deserter and committed to
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prison
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:13-15"><I>v.</I> 13-15</A>):
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<I>He was in the gate of Benjamin,</I> so far he had gained his point,
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when <I>a captain of the ward,</I> who probably had the charge of that
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gate, discovered him and <I>took him</I> into custody. He was the
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grandson of Hananiah, who, the Jews say, was Hananiah the false
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prophet, who contested with Jeremiah
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+28:10"><I>ch.</I> xxviii. 10</A>),
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and they add that this young captain had a spite to Jeremiah upon that
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account. He could not arrest him without some pretence, and that which
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he charges upon his is, <I>Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans</I>--an
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unlikely story, for the Chaldeans had now gone off, Jeremiah could not
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|
reach them; or, if he could, who would go over to a baffled army?
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Jeremiah therefore with good reason, and with both the confidence and
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|
the mildness of an innocent man, denies the charge: "<I>It is false; I
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|
fall not away to the Chaldeans;</I> I am going upon my own lawful
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|
occasions." Note, it is no new thing for the church's best friends to
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|
be represented as in the interest of her worst enemies. Thus have the
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|
blackest characters been put upon the fairest purest minds, and, in
|
|
such a malicious world as this is, innocency, nay, excellency itself,
|
|
is no fence against the basest calumny. When at any time we are thus
|
|
falsely accused we may do as Jeremiah did, boldly deny the charge and
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|
then commit our cause to him that judges righteously. Jeremiah's
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|
protestation of his integrity, though he is a prophet, a man of God, a
|
|
man of honour and sincerity, though he is a priest, and is ready to say
|
|
it <I>in verbo sacerdotis--on the word of a priest,</I> is not regarded;
|
|
but he is brought before the privy-council, who without examining him
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|
and the proofs against him, but upon the base malicious insinuation of
|
|
the captain, fell into a passion with him: they <I>were wroth;</I> and
|
|
what justice could be expected from men who, being in anger, would hear
|
|
no reason? They beat him, without any regard had to his coat and
|
|
character, and then <I>put him in prison,</I> in the worst prison they
|
|
had, that <I>in the house of Jonathan the scribe;</I> either it had
|
|
been his house, and he had quitted it for the inconveniences of it, but
|
|
it was thought good enough for a prison, or it was now his house, and
|
|
perhaps he was a rigid severe man, that made it a house of cruel
|
|
bondage to his prisoners. Into this prison Jeremiah was thrust, <I>into
|
|
the dungeon,</I> which was dark and cold, damp and dirty, the most
|
|
uncomfortable unhealthy place in it; in the cells, or <I>cabins,</I>
|
|
there he must lodge, among which there is no choice, for they are all
|
|
alike miserable lodging-places. <I>There Jeremiah remained many days,
|
|
and</I> for aught that appears, nobody came near him or enquired after
|
|
him. See what a world this is. The wicked princes, who are in rebellion
|
|
against God, lie at ease, lie in state in their palaces, while godly
|
|
Jeremiah, who is in the service of God, lies in pain, in a loathsome
|
|
dungeon. It is well that there is a world to come.</P>
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<P>
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|
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|
III. That Zedekiah at length sent for him, and showed him some favour;
|
|
but probably not till the Chaldean army had returned and had laid fresh
|
|
siege to the city. When their vain hopes, with which they fed
|
|
themselves (an in confidence of which they had re-enslaved their
|
|
servants,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+34:11"><I>ch.</I> xxxiv. 11</A>),
|
|
|
|
had all vanished, then they were in a greater confusion and
|
|
consternation then ever. "O then" (says Zedekiah) "send in all haste
|
|
for the prophet; let me have some talk with him." When the Chaldeans
|
|
had withdrawn, he only sent to the prophet to pray for him; but now
|
|
that they had again invested the city, he sent for him to consult him.
|
|
Thus gracious will men be when pangs come upon them.
|
|
|
|
1. The king sent for him to give him private audience as an ambassador
|
|
from God. He <I>asked him secretly in his house,</I> being ashamed to
|
|
be seen in his company, "<I>Is there any word from the Lord?</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>)--
|
|
|
|
any word of comfort? Canst thou give us any hopes that the Chaldeans
|
|
shall again retire?" Note, Those that will not hearken to God's
|
|
admonitions when they are in prosperity would be glad of his
|
|
consolations when they are in adversity and expect that his ministers
|
|
should then speak words of peace to them; but how can they expect it?
|
|
What have they to do with peace? Jeremiah's life and comfort are in
|
|
Zedekiah's hand, and he has now a petition to present to him for his
|
|
favour, and yet, having this opportunity, he tells him plainly that
|
|
<I>there is a word from the Lord,</I> but no word of comfort for him or
|
|
his people: <I>Thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of
|
|
Babylon.</I> If Jeremiah had consulted with flesh and blood, he would
|
|
have given him a plausible answer, and, though he would not have told
|
|
him a lie, yet he might have chosen whether he would tell him the worst
|
|
at this time; what occasion was there for it, when he had so often told
|
|
it him before? But Jeremiah was one that had <I>obtained mercy of the
|
|
Lord to be faithful,</I> and would not, to obtain mercy of man, be
|
|
unfaithful either to God or to his prince; he therefore tells him the
|
|
truth, the whole truth. And, since there was no remedy, it would be a
|
|
kindness to the king to know his doom, that, being no surprise to him,
|
|
it might be the less a terror, and he might provide to make the best of
|
|
bad. Jeremiah takes this occasion to upbraid him and his people with
|
|
the credit they gave to the false prophets, who told them that <I>the
|
|
king of Babylon</I> should <I>not come</I> at all, or, when he had
|
|
withdrawn, should <I>not come</I> again <I>against</I> them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
"<I>Where are now your prophets,</I> who told you that you should have
|
|
peace?" Note, Those who deceive themselves with groundless hopes of
|
|
mercy will justly be upbraided with their folly when the event has
|
|
undeceived them.
|
|
|
|
2. He improved this opportunity for the presenting of a private
|
|
petition, as a poor prisoner,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:18,20"><I>v.</I> 18, 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
It was not in Jeremiah's power to reverse the sentence God had passed
|
|
upon Zedekiah, but it was in Zedekiah's power to reverse the sentence
|
|
which the princes had given against him; and therefore, since he
|
|
thought him fit to be used as a prophet, he would not think him fit to
|
|
be abused as the worst of malefactors. He humbly expostulates with the
|
|
king: "<I>What have I offended against thee, or thy servants, or this
|
|
people,</I> what law have I broken, what injury have I done to the
|
|
common welfare, <I>that you have put me in prison?</I>" And many a one
|
|
that has been very hardly dealt with has been able to make the same
|
|
appeal and to make it good. He likewise earnestly begs, and very
|
|
pathetically
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+37:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Cause me to return</I> to yonder noisome gaol, <I>to the house of
|
|
Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.</I> This was the language of
|
|
innocent nature, sensible of its own grievances and solicitous for its
|
|
own preservation. Though he was not at all unwilling to die God's
|
|
martyr, yet, having so fair an opportunity to get relief, he would not
|
|
let it slip, lest he should die his own murderer. When Jeremiah
|
|
delivered God's message he spoke as one having authority, with the
|
|
greatest boldness; but, when he presented his own request, he spoke as
|
|
one under authority, with the greatest submissiveness: <I>Near me, I
|
|
pray thee, O my Lord the king! let my supplication, I pray thee, be
|
|
accepted before thee.</I> Here is not a word of complaint of the
|
|
princes that unjustly committed him, no offer to bring an action of
|
|
false imprisonment against them, but all in a way of modest
|
|
supplication to the king, to teach us that even when we act with the
|
|
courage that becomes the faithful servants of God, yet we must conduct
|
|
ourselves with the humility and modesty that become dutiful subjects to
|
|
the government God hath set over us. A lion in God's cause must be a
|
|
lamb in his own. And we find that God gave Jeremiah favour in the eyes
|
|
of the king.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He gave him his request, took care that he should not die in the
|
|
dungeon, but ordered that he should have the liberty of the <I>court of
|
|
the prison,</I> where he might have a pleasant walk and breathe a free
|
|
air.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He gave him more than his request, took care that he should not
|
|
die for want, as many did that had their liberty, by reason of the
|
|
straitness of the siege; he ordered him his <I>daily bread out of
|
|
the</I> public stock (for the prison was within the verge of the
|
|
court), <I>till all the bread was spent.</I> Zedekiah ought to have
|
|
released him, to have made him a privy-counsellor, as Joseph was taken
|
|
from prison to be the second man in the kingdom. But he had not courage
|
|
to do that; it was well he did as he did, and it is an instance of the
|
|
care God takes of his suffering servants that are faithful to him. He
|
|
can make even their confinement turn to their advantage and the court
|
|
of the of their prison to become as green pastures to them, and raise
|
|
up such friends to provide for them that <I>in the days of famine they
|
|
shall be satisfied. At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh.</I></P>
|
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