Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Jeremiah Ch.1 / 52 Ch.s
JER:1
** Jeremiah was a priest, a native of Anathoth, in the tribe of
Benjamin. He was called to the prophetic office when very young,
about seventy years after the death of Isaiah, and exercised it
for about forty years with great faithfulness, till the sins of
the Jewish nation came to their full measure and destruction
followed. The prophecies of Jeremiah do not stand as they were
delivered. Blayney has endeavoured to arrange them in more
regular order, namely, ch. 1-20; 22; 23; 25; 26; 35; 36; 45; 24;
29; 30; 31; 27; 28; 21; 34; 37; 32; 33; 38; 39; (ver. 15-18,
1-14.) 40-44; 46-52. The general subject of his prophecies is
the idolatry and other sins of the Jews; the judgments by which
they were threatened, with references to their future
restoration and deliverance, and promises of the Messiah. They
are remarkable for plain and faithful reproofs, affectionate
expostulations, and awful warnings.
* Jeremiah's call to the prophetic office. (1-10) A vision of an
almond-tree and of a seething-pot, Divine protection is
promised. (11-19)
#1-10 Jeremiah's early call to the work and office of a prophet
is stated. He was to be a prophet, not to the Jews only, but to
the neighbouring nations. He is still a prophet to the whole
world, and it would be well if they would attend to these
warnings. The Lord who formed us, knows for what particular
services and purposes he intended us. But unless he sanctify us
by his new-creating Spirit, we shall neither be fit for his holy
service on earth, nor his holy happiness in heaven. It becomes
us to have low thoughts of ourselves. Those who are young,
should consider that they are so, and not venture beyond their
powers. But though a sense of our own weakness and insufficiency
should make us go humbly about our work, it should not make us
draw back when God calls us. Those who have messages to deliver
from God, must not fear the face of man. The Lord, by a sign,
gave Jeremiah such a gift as was necessary. God's message should
be delivered in his own words. Whatever wordly wise men or
politicians may think, the safety of kingdoms is decided
according to the purpose and word of God.
#11-19 God gave Jeremiah a view of the destruction of Judah and
Jerusalem by the Chaldeans. The almond-tree, which is more
forward in the spring than any other, represented the speedy
approach of judgments. God also showed whence the intended ruin
should arise. Jeremiah saw a seething-pot boiling, representing
Jerusalem and Judah in great commotion. The mouth or face of the
furnace or hearth, was toward the north; from whence the fire
and fuel were to come. The northern powers shall unite. The
cause of these judgments was the sin of Judah. The whole counsel
of God must be declared. The fear of God is the best remedy
against the fear of man. Better to have all men our enemies than
God our enemy; those who are sure they have God with them, need
not, ought not to fear, whoever is against them. Let us pray
that we may be willing to give up personal interests, and that
nothing may move us from our duty.