Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Jeremiah Ch.11 / 52 Ch.s
JER:11
* The disobedient Jews reproved. (1-10) Their utter ruin.
(11-17) The people would be destroyed who sought the prophet's
life. (18-23)
#1-10 God never promised to bestow blessings on his rational
creatures, while they persist in wilful disobedience. Pardon and
acceptance are promised freely to all believers; but no man can
be saved who does not obey the command of God to repent, to
believe in Christ, to separate from sin and the world, to choose
self-denial and newness of life. In general, men will hearken to
those who speak of doctrines, promises, and privileges; but when
duties are mentioned, they will not bend their ear.
#11-17 Evil pursues sinners, and entangles them in snares, out
of which they cannot free themselves. Now, in their distress,
their many gods and many altars stand them in no stead. And
those whose own prayers will not be heard, cannot expect benefit
from the prayers of others. Their profession of religion shall
prove of no use. When trouble came upon them, they made this
their confidence, but God has rejected it. His altar shall yield
them no satisfaction. The remembrance of God's former favours to
them shall be no comfort under troubles; and his remembrance of
them shall be no argument for their relief. Every sin against
the Lord is a sin against ourselves, and so it will be found
sooner or later.
#18-23 The prophet Jeremiah tells much concerning himself, the
times he lived in being very troublesome. Those of his own city
plotted how they might cause his death. They thought to end his
days, but he outlived most of his enemies; they thought to blast
his memory, but it lives to this day, and will be blessed while
time lasts. God knows all the secret designs of his and his
people's enemies, and can, when he pleases, make them known.
God's justice is a terror to the wicked, but a comfort to the
godly. When we are wronged, we have a God to commit our cause
to, and it is our duty to commit it to him. We should also look
well to our own spirits, that we are not overcome with evil, but
that by patient continuance in praying for our enemies, and in
kindness to them, we may overcome evil with good.