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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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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. XXIX.</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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The contest between Jeremiah and the false prophets was carried on
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before by preaching, here by writing; there we had sermon against
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sermon, here we have letter against letter, for some of the false
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prophets are now carried away into captivity in Babylon, while Jeremiah
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remains in his own country. Now here is,
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I. A letter which Jeremiah wrote to the captives in Babylon, against
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their prophets that they had there
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:1-3">ver. 1-3</A>),
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in which letter,
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1. He endeavours to reconcile them to their captivity, to be easy under
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it and to make the best of it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:4-7">ver. 4-7</A>.
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2. He cautions them not to give any credit to their false prophets, who
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fed them with hopes of a speedy release,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:8,9">ver. 8, 9</A>.
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3. He assures them that God would restore them in mercy to their own
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land again, at the end of 70 years,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:10-14">ver. 10-14</A>.
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4. He foretels the destruction of those who yet continued, and that
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they should be persecuted with one judgment after another, and sent at
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last into captivity,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:15-19">ver. 15-19</A>.
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5. He prophesies the destruction of two of their false prophets that
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they had in Babylon, that both soothed them up in their sins and set
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them bad examples
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:20-23">ver. 20-23</A>),
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and this is the purport of Jeremiah's letter.
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II. Here is a letter which Shemaiah, a false prophet in Babylon, wrote
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to the priests at Jerusalem, to stir them up to persecute Jeremiah
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:24-29">ver. 24-29</A>),
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and a denunciation of God's wrath against him for writing such a letter,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:30-32">ver. 30-32</A>.
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Such struggles as these have there always been between the seed of the
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woman and the seed of the serpent.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Jer29_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer29_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer29_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer29_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer29_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer29_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer29_7"> </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>Advice to the Captives in Babylon.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 596.</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 Now these <I>are</I> the words of the letter that Jeremiah the
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prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which
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were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the
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prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried
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away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;
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2 (After that Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the
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eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the carpenters,
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and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;)
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3 By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the
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son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to
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Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying,
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4 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all
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that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried
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away from Jerusalem unto Babylon;
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5 Build ye houses, and dwell <I>in them;</I> and plant gardens, and
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eat the fruit of them;
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6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives
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for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may
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bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not
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diminished.
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7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to
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be carried away captives, and pray unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> for it: for in
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the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We are here told,</P>
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<P>
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I. That Jeremiah wrote to the captives in Babylon, in the name of the
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Lord. Jeconiah had surrendered himself a prisoner, with the queen his
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mother, the chamberlains of his household, called here the
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<I>eunuchs,</I> and many of <I>the princes of Judah and Jerusalem,</I>
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who were at that time the most active men; <I>the carpenters and
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smiths</I> likewise, being demanded, were yielded up, that those who
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remained might not have any proper hands to fortify their city or
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furnish themselves with weapons of war. By this tame submission it was
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hoped that Nebuchadnezzar would be pacified. <I>Satis est prostrasse
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leoni--It suffices the lion to have laid his antagonist prostrate;</I>
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but the imperious conqueror grows upon their concessions, like Benhadad
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upon Ahab's,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+20:5,6">1 Kings xx. 5, 6</A>.
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And, not content with this, when these had <I>departed from
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Jerusalem</I> he comes again, and fetches away many more of <I>the
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elders, the priests, the prophets, and the people</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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such as he thought fit, or such as his soldiers could lay hands on, and
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carries them to Babylon. The case of these captives was very
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melancholy, the rather because they, being thus distinguished from the
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rest of their brethren who continued in their own land, looked as if
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they were greater sinners than all men who dwelt at Jerusalem. Jeremiah
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therefore writes a letter to them, to comfort them, assuring them that
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they had no reason either to despair of succour themselves or to envy
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their brethren that were left behind. Note,
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1. The word of God written is as truly given by <I>inspiration of
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God</I> as his word spoken was; and this was the proper way of
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spreading the knowledge of God's will among his <I>children scattered
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abroad.</I>
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2. We may serve God and do good by writing to our friends at a distance
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pious letters of seasonable comforts and wholesome counsels. Those whom
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we cannot speak to we may write to; that which is written remains. This
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letter of Jeremiah's was sent to the captives in Babylon by the hands
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of the ambassadors whom king Zedekiah sent to Nebuchadnezzar, probably
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to pay him his tribute and renew his submission to him, or to treat of
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peace with him, in which treaty the captives might perhaps hope that
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they should be included,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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By such messengers Jeremiah chose to send this message, to put an
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honour upon it, because it was a message from God, or perhaps because
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there was no settled way of sending letters to Babylon, but as such an
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occasion as this offered, and then it made the condition of the
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captives there the more melancholy, that they could rarely hear from
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their friends and relations they had left behind, which is some
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reviving and satisfaction to those that are separated from one
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another.</P>
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<P>
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II. We are here told what he wrote. A copy of the letter at large
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follows here to
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
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In these verses,</P>
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<P>
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1. He assures them that he wrote in the name of the <I>Lord of hosts,
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the God of Israel,</I> who indited the letter; Jeremiah was but the
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scribe or amanuensis. It would be comfortable to them, in their
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captivity, to hear that God is <I>the Lord of hosts,</I> of all hosts,
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and is therefore able to help and deliver them; and that he is the
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<I>God of Israel</I> still, a God in covenant with his people, though
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he contend with them, and their enemies for the present are too hard
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for them. This would likewise be an admonition to them to stand upon
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their guard against all temptations to the idolatry of Babylon, because
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the <I>God of Israel,</I> the God whom they served, is <I>Lord of
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hosts.</I> God's sending to them in this letter might be an
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encouragement to them in their captivity, as it was an evidence that he
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had not cast them off, had not abandoned them and disinherited them,
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though he was displeased with them and corrected them; for, if the Lord
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had been pleased to kill them, he would not have written to them.</P>
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<P>
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2. God by him owns the hand he had in their captivity: <I>I have caused
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you to be carried away,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:4"><I>v.</I> 4
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and again,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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All the force of the king of Babylon could not have done it if God had
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not ordered it; nor could he have any power against them but what was
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given him from above. If God caused them to be carried captives, they
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might be sure that he neither did them any wrong nor meant them any
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hurt. Note, It will help very much to reconcile us to our troubles, and
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to make us patient under them, to consider that they are what God has
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appointed us to. <I>I opened not my mouth, because thou didst
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it.</I></P>
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<P>
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3. He bids them think of nothing but settling there; and therefore let
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them resolve to make the best of it
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:5,6"><I>v.</I> 5, 6</A>):
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<I>Build yourselves houses and dwell in them,</I> &c. By all this it is
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intimated to them,
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(1.) That they must not feed themselves with hopes of a speedy return
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out of their captivity, for that would keep them still unsettled and
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consequently uneasy; they would apply themselves to no business, take
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no comfort, but be always tiring themselves and provoking their
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conquerors with the expectations of relief; and their disappointment at
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last would sink them into despair and make their condition much more
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miserable than otherwise it would be. Let them therefore reckon upon a
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continuance there, and accommodate themselves to it as well as they
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can. Let them <I>build,</I> and <I>plant,</I> and <I>marry,</I> and
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dispose of their children there as if they were at home in their own
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land. Let them take a pleasure in seeing their families built up and
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multiplied; for, though they must expect themselves to die in
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captivity, yet their children may live to see better days. If they live
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in the fear of God, what should hinder them but they may live
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comfortably in Babylon? They cannot but <I>weep</I> sometimes <I>when
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they remember Zion.</I> But let not weeping hinder sowing; let them not
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<I>sorrow as those that have no hope,</I> no joy; for they have both.
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Note, In all conditions of life it is our wisdom and duty to make the
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best of that which is, and not to throw away the comfort of what we may
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have because we have not all we would have. We have a natural affection
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for our native country; it strangely draws our minds; but it is with a
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<I>nescio qua dulcedine--we can give no good account of the sweet
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attraction;</I> and therefore, if providence remove us to some other
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country, we must resolve to live easy there, to bring our mind to our
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condition when our condition is not in every thing to our mind. If the
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<I>earth be the Lord's,</I> then, wherever a child of God goes, he does
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not go off his Father's ground. <I>Patria est ubicunque bene est--That
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place is our country in which we are well off.</I> If things be not as
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they have been, instead of fretting at that, we must live in hopes that
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they will be better than they are. <I>Non si male nunc, et olim sic
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erit--Though we suffer now we shall not always.</I>
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(2.) That they must not disquiet themselves with fears of intolerable
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hardships in their captivity. They might be ready to suggest (as
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persons in trouble are always apt to make the worst of things) that it
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would be in vain to build houses, for their lords and masters would not
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suffer them to dwell in them when they had built them, nor to eat the
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fruit of the vineyards they planted. "Never fear," says God; "if you
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live peaceably with them, you shall find them civil to you." Meek and
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quiet people, that work and mind their own business, have often found
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much better treatment, even with strangers and enemies, than they
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expected; and God has made his people to be <I>pitied of those that
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carry them captives</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+106:46">Ps. cvi. 46</A>),
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and a pity it is but that those who have built houses should dwell in
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them. Nay,</P>
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<P>
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4. He directs them to seek the good of the country where they were
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captives
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
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to pray for it, to endeavour to promote it. This forbids them to
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attempt any thing against the public peace while they were subjects to
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the king of Babylon. Though he was a heathen, an idolater, an
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oppressor, and an enemy to God and his church, yet, while he gave them
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protection, they must pay him allegiance, and live <I>quiet and
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peaceable lives</I> under him, <I>in all godliness and honesty,</I> not
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plotting to shake off his yoke, but patiently leaving it to God in due
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time to work deliverance for them. Nay, they must pray to God for the
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peace of the places where they were, that they might oblige them to
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continue their kindness to them and disprove the character that had
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been given their nation, that they were <I>hurtful to kings and
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provinces,</I> and <I>moved sedition,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+4:15">Ezra iv. 15</A>.
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Both the wisdom of the serpent and the innocency of the dove required
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them to be true to the government they lived under: <I>For in the peace
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thereof you shall have peace;</I> should the country be embroiled in
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war, they would have the greatest share in the calamitous effects of
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it. Thus the primitive Christians, according to the temper of their
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holy religion, prayed for the powers that were, though they were
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persecuting powers. And, if they were to pray for and seek the peace of
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the land of their captivity, much more reason have we to pray for the
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welfare of the land of our nativity, where we are a free people under a
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good government, <I>that in the peace thereof</I> we and ours <I>may
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have peace.</I> Every passenger is concerned in the safety of the
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ship.</P>
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<A NAME="Jer29_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer29_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer29_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer29_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer29_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer29_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Jer29_14"> </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>Advice to the Captives in Babylon.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 596.</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>8 For thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not
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your prophets and your diviners, that <I>be</I> in the midst of you,
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deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be
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dreamed.
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9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not
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sent them, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
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10 For thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, That after seventy years be
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accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good
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word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
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11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected
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end.
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12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto
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me, and I will hearken unto you.
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13 And ye shall seek me, and find <I>me,</I> when ye shall search
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for me with all your heart.
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14 And I will be found of you, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: and I will turn
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away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations,
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and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused
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you to be carried away captive.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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To make the people quiet and easy in their captivity,</P>
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<P>
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I. God takes them off from building upon the false foundation which
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their pretended prophets laid,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:8,9"><I>v.</I> 8, 9</A>.
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They told them that their captivity should be short, and therefore that
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they must not think of taking root in Babylon, but be upon the wing to
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go back: "Now herein <I>they deceive you,</I>" says God; "they
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<I>prophesy a lie to you,</I> though they prophesy <I>in my name.</I>
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But <I>let them not deceive you,</I> suffer not yourselves to be
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deluded by them." As long as we have the word of truth to try the
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spirits by it is our own fault if we be deceived; for by it we may be
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undeceived. <I>Hearken not to your dreams, which you cause to be
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dreamed.</I> He means either the dreams or fancies which the people
|
|
pleased themselves with, and with which they filled their own heads (by
|
|
thinking and speaking of nothing else but a speedy enlargement when
|
|
they were awake they caused themselves to dream of it when they were
|
|
asleep, and then took that for a good omen, and with it strengthened
|
|
themselves in their vain expectations), or the dreams which the
|
|
prophets dreamed and grounded their prophecies upon. God tells the
|
|
people, <I>They are your dreams,</I> because they pleased them, were
|
|
the dreams that they desired and wished for. They <I>caused them to be
|
|
dreamed;</I> for they hearkened to them, and encouraged the prophets to
|
|
put such deceits upon them, desiring them to prophesy nothing but
|
|
<I>smooth things,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+30:10">Isa. xxx. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
They were dreams of their own bespeaking. False prophets would not
|
|
flatter people in their sins, but that they love to be flattered, and
|
|
speak smoothly to their prophets that their prophets may speak smoothly
|
|
to them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He gives them a good foundation to build their hopes upon. We would
|
|
not persuade people to pull down the house they have built upon the
|
|
sand, but that there is a rock ready for them to rebuild upon. God here
|
|
promises them that, though they should not return quickly, they should
|
|
return at length, <I>after seventy years be accomplished.</I> By this
|
|
it appears that the seventy years of the captivity are not to be
|
|
reckoned from the last captivity, but the first. Note, Though the
|
|
deliverance of the church do not come in our time, it is sufficient
|
|
that it will come in God's time, and we are sure that that is the best
|
|
time. The promise is that God will visit them in mercy; though he had
|
|
long seemed to be strange to them, he will come among them, and appear
|
|
for them, and put honour upon them, as great men do upon their
|
|
inferiors by coming to visit them. He will put an end to <I>their
|
|
captivity,</I> and <I>turn away</I> all the calamities of it. Though
|
|
they are dispersed, some in one country and some in another, he will
|
|
<I>gather them from all the places whither they are driven,</I> will
|
|
set up a standard for them all to resort to, and incorporate them again
|
|
in one body. And though they are at a great distance they shall be
|
|
brought again to their own land, <I>to the place whence</I> they were
|
|
<I>carried captive,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now,
|
|
|
|
1. This shall be the performance of God's promise to them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I will perform my good word towards you.</I> Let not the failing of
|
|
those predictions which are delivered as from God lessen the reputation
|
|
of those that really are from him. That which is indeed God's word is
|
|
a <I>good word,</I> and therefore it will be made good, and not one
|
|
iota or tittle of it shall fall to the ground. <I>Hath he said, and
|
|
shall he not do it?</I> This will make their return out of captivity
|
|
very comfortable, that it will be the performance of God's good word to
|
|
them, the product of a gracious promise.
|
|
|
|
2. This shall be in pursuance of God's purposes concerning them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I know the thoughts that I think towards you.</I> Known unto God are
|
|
all his works, for known unto him are all his thoughts
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+15:18">Acts xv. 18</A>)
|
|
|
|
and his works agree exactly with his thoughts; he does all <I>according
|
|
to the counsel of his will.</I> We often do not know our own thoughts,
|
|
nor know our own mind, but God is never at any uncertainty within
|
|
himself. We are sometimes ready to fear that God's designs concerning
|
|
us are all against us; but he knows the contrary concerning his own
|
|
people, that they are <I>thoughts of good and not of evil;</I> even
|
|
that which seems evil is designed for good. His thoughts are all
|
|
working towards the expected end, which he will give in due time. The
|
|
end they expect will come, though perhaps not when they expect it. Let
|
|
them have patience till the fruit is ripe, and then they shall have it.
|
|
He will give them <I>an end, and expectation,</I> so it is in the
|
|
original.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He will give them to see <I>the end</I> (the comfortable
|
|
termination) of their trouble; though it last long, it shall not last
|
|
always. The <I>time to favour Zion,</I> yea, the <I>set time, will
|
|
come.</I> When things are at the worst they will begin to mend; and he
|
|
will give them to see the glorious perfection of their deliverance;
|
|
for, as for God, his work is perfect. He that in the beginning finished
|
|
the <I>heavens and the earth,</I> and all the <I>hosts</I> of both,
|
|
will finish all the blessings of both to his people. When he begins in
|
|
ways of mercy he will <I>make an end.</I> God does nothing by halves.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He will give them to see the <I>expectation,</I> that <I>end</I>
|
|
which they desire and hope for, and have been long waiting for. He will
|
|
give them, not the expectations of their fears, nor the expectations of
|
|
their fancies, but the expectations of their faith, the end which he
|
|
has promised and which will turn for the best to them.
|
|
|
|
3. This shall be in answer to their prayers and supplications to God,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:12-15"><I>v.</I> 12-14</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) God will stir them up to pray: <I>Then shall you call upon me,</I>
|
|
and <I>you shall go, and pray unto me.</I> Note, When God is about to
|
|
give his people the expected good he pours out a spirit of prayer, and
|
|
it is a good sign that he is coming towards them in mercy. Then, when
|
|
you see the <I>expected end</I> approaching, <I>then you shall call
|
|
upon me.</I> Note, Promises are given, not to supersede, but to quicken
|
|
and encourage prayer: and when deliverance is coming we must by prayer
|
|
go forth to meet it. When Daniel understood that the 70 years were near
|
|
expiring, then he <I>set his face</I> with more fervency than ever
|
|
<I>to seek the Lord,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:2,3">Dan. ix. 2, 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He will then stir up himself to come and save them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+80:2">Ps. lxxx. 2</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I will hearken unto you,</I> and <I>I will be found of you.</I> God
|
|
has said it, and we may depend upon it, <I>Seek and you shall find.</I>
|
|
We have a general rule laid down
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>You shall find me when you shall search for me with all your
|
|
heart.</I> In seeking God we must search for him, accomplish a diligent
|
|
search, search for directions in seeking him and encouragements to our
|
|
faith and hope. We must continue seeking, and take pains in seeking, as
|
|
those that search; and this we must do with our heart (that is, in
|
|
sincerity and uprightness), and with our whole heart (that is, with
|
|
vigour and fervency, putting forth <I>all that is within us</I> in
|
|
prayer), and those who thus <I>seek God</I> shall <I>find him,</I> and
|
|
shall find him their bountiful rewarder,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:6">Heb. xi. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
He never said to such, <I>Seek you me in vain.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_23"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Doom of the False Prophets.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 596.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>15 Because ye have said, The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath raised us up prophets in
|
|
Babylon;
|
|
16 <I>Know</I> that thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of the king that sitteth
|
|
upon the throne of David, and of all the people that dwelleth in
|
|
this city, <I>and</I> of your brethren that are not gone forth with
|
|
you into captivity;
|
|
17 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them
|
|
the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them
|
|
like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
|
|
18 And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine,
|
|
and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to
|
|
all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an
|
|
astonishment, and a hissing, and a reproach, among all the
|
|
nations whither I have driven them:
|
|
19 Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>,
|
|
which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up
|
|
early and sending <I>them;</I> but ye would not hear, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
20 Hear ye therefore the word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, all ye of the
|
|
captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:
|
|
21 Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the
|
|
son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which
|
|
prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them
|
|
into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall
|
|
slay them before your eyes;
|
|
22 And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity
|
|
of Judah which <I>are</I> in Babylon, saying, The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> make thee like
|
|
Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the
|
|
fire;
|
|
23 Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have
|
|
committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken
|
|
lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I
|
|
know, and <I>am</I> a witness, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Jeremiah, having given great encouragement to those among the captives
|
|
whom he knew to be serious and well-affected, assuring them that God
|
|
had very kind and favourable intentions concerning them, here turns to
|
|
those among them who slighted the counsels and comforts that Jeremiah
|
|
ministered to them and depended upon what the false prophets flattered
|
|
them with. When this letter came from Jeremiah they would be ready to
|
|
say, "Why should he make himself so busy, and take upon him to advise
|
|
us? <I>The Lord has raised us up prophets in Babylon,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
We are satisfied with those prophets, and can depend upon them, and
|
|
have no occasion to hear from any prophets in Jerusalem." See the
|
|
impudent wickedness of this people; as the prophets, when they
|
|
prophesied lies, said that they had them from God, so the people, when
|
|
they invited those prophets thus to flatter them, fathered it upon God,
|
|
and said that it was the Lord that raised them up those prophets.
|
|
Whereas we may be sure that those who harden people in their sins, and
|
|
deceive them with false and groundless hopes of God's mercy, are no
|
|
prophets of God's raising up. These prophets of their own told them
|
|
that no more should be carried captive, but that those who were in
|
|
captivity should shortly return. Now, in answer to this,
|
|
|
|
1. The prophet here foretells the utter destruction of those who
|
|
remained still at Jerusalem, notwithstanding what those false prophets
|
|
said to the contrary: "As for the <I>king</I> and <I>people</I> that
|
|
<I>dwell in the city,</I> who, you think, will be ready to bid you
|
|
welcome when you return, you are deceived; they shall be followed with
|
|
one judgment after another, <I>sword, famine,</I> and
|
|
<I>pestilence,</I> which shall cut off multitudes; and the poor and
|
|
miserable remains shall be <I>removed into all kingdoms of the
|
|
earth,</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:16,18"><I>v.</I> 16, 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
And thus God <I>will make them,</I> or rather deal with them
|
|
accordingly, as the salt that has <I>lost its savour,</I> which, being
|
|
good for nothing, is cast to the dunghill, and so are rotten figs. This
|
|
refers to the vision and the prophecy upon it which we had
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+24:1-10"><I>ch.</I> xxiv.</A>
|
|
|
|
And the reason given for these proceedings against them is the same
|
|
that has often been given and will justify God in the eternal ruin of
|
|
impenitent sinners
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Because they have not hearkened to my words. I called, but they
|
|
refused.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. He foretells the judgment of God upon the false prophets in Babylon,
|
|
who deceived the people of God there. He calls upon all the children of
|
|
the captivity, who boasted of them as prophets of God's raising up
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
|
|
|
|
"Stand still, and hear the doom of the prophets you are so fond of."
|
|
The two prophets are named here, <I>Ahab</I> and <I>Zedekiah,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The crimes charged upon them--impiety and immorality: They
|
|
<I>prophesied lies in God's name</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
and again
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
They have <I>spoken lying words in my name.</I> Lying was bad, lying to
|
|
the people of God to delude them into a false hope was worse, but
|
|
fathering their lies upon the God of truth was worst of all. And no
|
|
marvel if those that had the face to do that could allow themselves in
|
|
the gratification of those vile affections to which God, in a way of
|
|
righteous judgment, <I>gave them up.</I> They have done <I>villainy in
|
|
Israel,</I> for <I>they have committed adultery with their neighbours'
|
|
wives.</I> Adultery is villainy in Israel, and in such as pretend to be
|
|
prophets, who by such wickednesses manifestly disprove their own
|
|
pretensions. God never sent such profligate wretches on his errands. He
|
|
is the <I>Lord God of the holy prophets,</I> not of such impure ones.
|
|
Here it appears why they flattered others in their sins--because they
|
|
could not reprove them without condemning themselves. These lewd
|
|
practices of theirs they knew how to conceal from the eye of the world,
|
|
that they might preserve their credit; but <I>I know</I> it <I>and am a
|
|
witness, saith the Lord.</I> The most secret sins are known to God; he
|
|
can see the villainy that is covered with the thickest cloak of
|
|
hypocrisy, and there is a day coming when he will bring to light all
|
|
these hidden works of darkness and every man will appear in his own
|
|
colours.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The judgments threatened against them: <I>The king of Babylon
|
|
shall slay them before your eyes;</I> nay, he shall put them to a
|
|
miserable death, <I>roast them in the fire,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
We may suppose that it was not for their impiety and immorality that
|
|
Nebuchadnezzar punished them thus severely, but for sedition, and some
|
|
attempts of their turbulent spirits upon the public peace, and stirring
|
|
up the people to revolt and rebel. So much of their wickedness shall
|
|
then be detected, and in such a wretched manner they shall end their
|
|
days, that their names shall be a curse among the captives in Babylon,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
When men would imprecate the greatest evil upon one they hated they
|
|
would think they could not load them with a heavier curse, in fewer
|
|
words, than to say, <I>The Lord make thee like Zedekiah and like
|
|
Ahab.</I> Thus were they made ashamed of the prophets they had been
|
|
proud of, and convinced at last of their folly in hearkening to them.
|
|
God's faithful prophets were sometimes charged with being the troublers
|
|
of the land, and as such were tortured and slain; but their names were
|
|
a blessing when they were gone and their memory sweet, not as these
|
|
false prophets. As malefactors are attended with infamy and disgrace,
|
|
so martyrs with glory and honour.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Jer29_32"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Malice of Shemaiah; The Doom of Shemaiah.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 596.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>24 <I>Thus</I> shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite,
|
|
saying,
|
|
25 Thus speaketh the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> of hosts, the God of Israel, saying,
|
|
Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people
|
|
that <I>are</I> at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the
|
|
priest, and to all the priests, saying,
|
|
26 The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the
|
|
priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, for
|
|
every man <I>that is</I> mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou
|
|
shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks.
|
|
27 Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of
|
|
Anathoth, which maketh himself a prophet to you?
|
|
28 For therefore he sent unto us <I>in</I> Babylon, saying, This
|
|
<I>captivity is</I> long: build ye houses, and dwell <I>in them;</I> and
|
|
plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
|
|
29 And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of
|
|
Jeremiah the prophet.
|
|
30 Then came the word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> unto Jeremiah, saying,
|
|
31 Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the
|
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah
|
|
hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you
|
|
to trust in a lie:
|
|
32 Therefore thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; Behold, I will punish
|
|
Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to
|
|
dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I
|
|
will do for my people, saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; because he hath taught
|
|
rebellion against the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have perused the contents of Jeremiah's letter to the captives in
|
|
Babylon, who had reason, with a great deal of thanks to God and him, to
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acknowledge the receipt of it, and lay it up among their treasures. But
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we cannot wonder if the false prophets they had among them were enraged
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at it; for it gave them their true character. Now here we are told
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concerning one of them,</P>
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<P>
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I. How he manifested his malice against Jeremiah. This busy fellow is
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called <I>Shemaiah the Nehelamite,</I> the <I>dreamer</I> (so the
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margin reads it), because all his prophecies he pretended to have
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received from God in a dream. He had got a copy of Jeremiah's letter to
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the captives, or had heard it read, or information was given to him
|
|
concerning it, and it nettled him exceedingly; and he will take pen in
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|
hand, and answer it, yea, that he will. But how? He does not write to
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|
Jeremiah in justification of his own mission, nor offer any rational
|
|
arguments for the support of his prophecies concerning the speedy
|
|
return of the captives; but he writes to the priests, those faithful
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|
patrons of the false prophets, and instigates them to persecute
|
|
Jeremiah. He writes in his own name, not so much as pretending to have
|
|
the people's consent to it; but, as if he must be dictator to all
|
|
mankind, he sends a circular letter (as it should seem) among the
|
|
priests at Jerusalem and the rest of the people, probably by the same
|
|
messengers that brought the letter from Jeremiah. But it is chiefly
|
|
directed to Zephaniah, who was either the immediate son of Maaseiah, or
|
|
of the 24th course of the priests, of which Maaseiah was the father and
|
|
head. He was not the high priest, but sagan or suffragan to the high
|
|
priest, or in some other considerable post of command in the temple, as
|
|
Pashur,
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+20:1"><I>ch.</I> xx. 1</A>.
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|
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|
Perhaps he was chairman of that committee of priests that was appointed
|
|
in a particular manner to take cognizance of those that pretended to be
|
|
prophets, of which there were very many at this time, and to give
|
|
judgment concerning them. Now,
|
|
|
|
1. He puts him and the other priests in mind of the duty of their place
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|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>):
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|
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<I>The Lord hath made thee priest instead of Jehoiada the priest.</I>
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|
Some think that he refers to the famous Jehoiada, that great reformer
|
|
in the days of Joash; and (says Mr. Gataker) he would insinuate that
|
|
this Zephaniah is for spirit and zeal such another as he, and raised
|
|
up, as he was, for the glory of God and the good of the church; and
|
|
therefore it was expected from him that he should proceed against
|
|
Jeremiah. Thus (says he) there is no act so injurious or impious, but
|
|
that wicked wretches and false prophets will not only attempt it, but
|
|
colour it also with some specious pretence of piety and zeal for God's
|
|
glory,
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+66:6,Joh+16:2">Isa. lxvi. 5; John xvi. 2</A>.
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|
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|
Or, rather, it was some other Jehoiada, his immediate predecessor in
|
|
this office, who perhaps was carried to Babylon among the priests,
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
|
|
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|
Zephaniah is advanced, sooner than he expected, to this place of trust
|
|
and power, and Shemaiah would have him think that Providence had
|
|
preferred him that he might persecute God's prophets, that he had come
|
|
to this government for such a time as this, and that he was unjust and
|
|
ungrateful if he did not thus improve his power, or, rather, abuse it.
|
|
Their hearts are wretchedly hardened who can justify the doing of
|
|
mischief by their having a power to do it. These priests' business was
|
|
to examine <I>every man that is mad and makes himself a prophet.</I>
|
|
God's faithful prophets are here represented as prophets of their own
|
|
making, usurpers of the office, and lay-intruders, as men that were
|
|
mad, actuated by some demon, and not divinely inspired, or as
|
|
distracted men and men in a frenzy. Thus the characters of the false
|
|
prophets are thrown upon the true ones; and, if this had been indeed
|
|
their character, they would have deserved to be bound as madmen and
|
|
punished as pretenders, and therefore he concludes that Jeremiah must
|
|
be so treated. He does not bid them examine whether Jeremiah could
|
|
produce any proofs of his mission and could make it to appear that he
|
|
was not mad. No; that is taken for granted, and, when once he has had a
|
|
bad name given him, he must be run down of course.
|
|
|
|
2. He informs them of the letter which Jeremiah had written to the
|
|
captives
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>He sent unto us in Babylon,</I> with the authority of a prophet,
|
|
saying, <I>This captivity is long,</I> and therefore resolve to make
|
|
the best of it. And what harm was there in this, that it should be
|
|
objected to him as a crime? The false prophets had formerly said that
|
|
the captivity would never come,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+14:3"><I>ch.</I> xiv. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Jeremiah had said that it would come, and the event had already proved
|
|
him in the right, which obliged them to give credit to him who now said
|
|
that it would be long, rather than to those who said that it would be
|
|
short, but had once before been found liars.
|
|
|
|
3. He demands judgment against him, taking it for granted that he is
|
|
<I>mad,</I> and <I>makes himself a prophet.</I> He expects that they
|
|
will order him to be put <I>in prison</I> and <I>in the stocks</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>),
|
|
|
|
that they will thus punish him, and by putting him to disgrace possess
|
|
the people with prejudices against him, ruin his reputation, and so
|
|
prevent the giving of any credit to his prophecies at Jerusalem, hoping
|
|
that, if they could gain that point, the captives in Babylon would not
|
|
be influenced by him. Nay, he takes upon him to chide Zephaniah for his
|
|
neglect
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Why hast thou not rebuked and restrained Jeremiah of Anathoth?</I>
|
|
See how insolent and imperious these false prophets had grown, that,
|
|
though they were in captivity, they would give law to the priests who
|
|
were not only at liberty, but in power. It is common for those that
|
|
pretend to more knowledge than their neighbours to be thus assuming.
|
|
Now here is a remarkable instance of the hardness of the hearts of
|
|
sinners, and it is enough to make us all fear <I>lest our hearts be at
|
|
any time hardened.</I> For here we find,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That these sinners would not be convinced by the clearest
|
|
evidence. God had confirmed his word in the mouth of Jeremiah; it had
|
|
<I>taken hold</I> of them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+1:6">Zech. i. 6</A>);
|
|
|
|
and yet, because he does not prophesy to them the smooth things they
|
|
desired, they are resolved to look upon him as not duly called to the
|
|
office of a prophet. None so blind as those that will not see.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That they would not be reclaimed and reformed by the most severe
|
|
chastisement. They were now sent into a miserable thraldom for
|
|
<I>mocking the messengers of the Lord</I> and <I>misusing his
|
|
prophets.</I> This was the sin for which God now contended with them;
|
|
and yet in <I>their distress they trespass yet more against the
|
|
Lord,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+28:22">2 Chron. xxviii. 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
This very sin they are notoriously guilty of in their captivity, which
|
|
shows that afflictions will not of themselves cure men of their sins,
|
|
unless the grace of God work with them, but will rather exasperate the
|
|
corruptions they are intended to mortify; so true is that of Solomon
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+27:22">Prov. xxvii. 22</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Though thou shouldst bray a fool in a mortar, yet will not his
|
|
foolishness depart from him.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. How Jeremiah came to the knowledge of this
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Zephaniah read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah.</I> He did not
|
|
design to do as Shemaiah would have him, but, as it should seem, had a
|
|
respect for Jeremiah (for we find him employed in messages to him as a
|
|
<I>prophet,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+21:1,37:3"><I>ch.</I> xxi. 1, xxxvii. 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
and therefore protected him. He that continued in his dignity and power
|
|
stood more in awe of God and his judgments than he that was now a
|
|
captive. Nay, he made Jeremiah acquainted with the contents of the
|
|
letter, that he might see what enemies he had even among the captives.
|
|
Note, It is kindness to our friends to let them know their foes.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. What was the sentence passed upon Shemaiah for writing this
|
|
letter. God sent him an answer, for to him Jeremiah committed his
|
|
cause: it was ordered to be sent not to him, but <I>to those of the
|
|
captivity,</I> who encouraged and countenanced him as if he had been a
|
|
prophet of God's raising up,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:31,32"><I>v.</I> 31, 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let them know,
|
|
|
|
1. That Shemaiah had made fools of them. He promised them peace in
|
|
God's name, but God did not send him; he forged a commission, and
|
|
counterfeited the broad seal of Heaven to it, and made the people <I>to
|
|
trust in a lie,</I> and by preaching false comfort to them deprived
|
|
them of true comfort. Nay, he had not only made fools of them, but,
|
|
which was worse, he had made traitors of them; he had <I>taught
|
|
rebellion against the Lord,</I> as Hananiah had done,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+28:16"><I>ch.</I> xxviii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
And, if vengeance shall be taken on those that rebel, much more on
|
|
those that teach rebellion by their doctrine and example.
|
|
|
|
2. That at his end <I>he shall also be a fool</I> (as the expression
|
|
is,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+17:11"><I>ch.</I> xvii. 11</A>);
|
|
|
|
his name and family shall be extinct and shall be buried in oblivion;
|
|
he shall leave no issue behind him to bear up his name; his pedigree
|
|
shall end in him: <I>He shall not have a man to dwell among this
|
|
people;</I> and neither he nor any that come from him shall <I>behold
|
|
the good that I will do for my people.</I> Note, Those are unworthy to
|
|
share in God's favours to his church that are not willing to stay his
|
|
time for them. Shemaiah was angry at Jeremiah's advice to the captives
|
|
to see to the building up of their families in Babylon, that they might
|
|
be increased and not diminished, and therefore justly is he written
|
|
childless there. Those that slight the blessings of God's word deserve
|
|
to lose the benefit of them. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+7:16,17">Amos vii. 16, 17</A>.</P>
|
|
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|
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