Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

in the same valley, where they had sacrificed their children to idols, and should be reduced by famine, to eat the flesh of their sons and of their daughters. In this event the justice of God is very evident, who frequently punishes men by those very things, wherewith they had offended, and makes those who had been distinguished by his favours, become, upon their abuse of them, examples of the most severe vengeance. The similitude of the earthen pot broken in pieces is very remarkable; well expressing the facility with which God can destroy sinners, and showing, that nothing can deliver or recover them, when he is pleased to punish them.

CHAPTER XX.

A PRIEST named Pashur, struck Jeremiah, and threw him into prison, for having foretold the destruction of Jerusalem; but Jeremiah told him that he himself should be carried captive to Babylon, with all his family, and all his friends; and that he should die there. The prophet complains of being exposed to the hatred of the wicked Jews, and expresses his grief upon that account.

Reflections.

THIS chapter presents us with three principal reflections: I. We see how Jeremiah was beaten, and put into prison, for having prophesied against the Jews; but that he did not forbear, however, to foretell their destruction; and in particular denounced Pashur's doom, declaring that he should feel the effects of the Divine vengeance. Thus the wicked are provoked with, and persecute those who speak to them in the name of God; but the true ministers of the Lord always do what God commands them, and those who set themselves against them receive the just reward of their malice. II. We see here, how Jeremiah was astonished and afflicted at the opposition he met with from the Jews: but that he strengthened himself, nevertheless, by trusting in

God. All who suffer for righteousness sake should consider this, that they may not be discouraged when they meet with obstacles. III. The last reflection relates to the last verses of this chapter, in which Jeremiah says, Cursed be the day in which I was born, It might be observed, that the prophet does not speak of himself here, but represents the sentiments of the Jews, what they would say at the time of their destruction, which would be so terrible, that it would be more happy for them if they had never been born, and they themselves would wish for death. But suppose these words should relate to Jeremiah, we must not believe that he was guilty of murmuring or impatience; for in the same chapter he appears animated with a joy and confidence which led him to praise God; but only that he meant by these proverbial ways of speaking, in use at that time, to show what a wretched thing it was to live among a people so corrupt, and how much he was grieved to see their obstinacy, and to consider the miseries that would so heavily fall upon them.

CHAPTER XXI.

THAT which is related in this chapter, happened when the Chaldeans besieged Jerusalem, under the reign of Zedekiah. This prince having sent to consult Jeremiah what he was to do, the prophet tells him, that as God had resolved to deliver the city to the Chaldeans, they must submit to them; that they who did so, would save their lives; but if the king and people refused to surrender, they would be exposed to the greatest desolations of war. He also exhorts the king and the magistrates, to reform themselves, and to do justice to every body.

Reflections.

HERE we are chiefly to consider the advice which Jeremiah gave to king Zedekiah and the Jews, to submit themselves to the Chaldeans: declaring that if they did so, and obeyed the voice of God, they should be

spared; but if not, they should perish by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence. We see by this, that God had indeed resolved to deliver Jerusalem to the Chaldeans; but that he had not resolved their destruction; and that it was still in their own power to save their lives. Thus God gave proofs of his goodness, at the same time that he exercised his justice. This too shows very plainly, that the perdition of sinners is not so determined but they may prevent it; God is always inclined to pardon them and spare them, even when he chastises them; and if at last he overwhelms them with his judgments, it is because he is forced to it by their impenitence. This teaches us likewise, that when God will correct us, we must submit to it, lest by our resistance we draw selves greater evils. Lastly, This chapter teaches judges and magistrates, that the exercise of justice is one of the most effectual means to prevent the judgments of God, and procure his protection.

CHAPTER XXII.

upon our

I. Jeremiah exhorts the king of Judah, and the people to repentance, and particularly to the practice of justice threatening them, if they did not, that Jerusalem should be laid waste. II. He foretells what should happen to the posterity of Josiah, king of Judah; he says, that Shallum, otherwise named Jehoahaz, should be carried into Egypt, and die there; that Jehoiakim, his brother and successor, should be deprived of burial; and that Coniah, otherwise called Jeconiah, should be carried to Babylon by the Chaldeans; that he should die there, and have no son to reign after him.

Reflections.

WE may learn from this chapter, that of the things which have the greatest tendency to secure the favour and protection of God to any people, one is, when judges render justice to every one impartially. If the

kings and princes of Judah had discharged their duty in this matter, according to the exhortations of the prophet, they would have been spared; but for having failed therein, they were destroyed, and the whole nation perished with them. There is another passage in this chapter, which deserves to be taken notice of; that place, I mean, where it is said, that those who attempt to raise and establish their families by wicked ways, and by covetousness, shall never prosper. But the principal reflection to be made on what has been read, relates to the kings here spoken of. All that Jeremiah had said came unto them. Shallum, son of king Josiah, was taken by the king of Egypt, and carried into that country, where he died; Jehoiakim fell into the hands of the Chaldeans, was carried in chains to Babylon, and so was Jeconiah, who had no successor. Thus God fulfilled the predictions of Jeremiah, and punished all their wicked and idolatrous princes. Moreover, the impiety of the descendants of the good and pious king Josiah, who all of them came to a tragical end, shows, that the piety of parents will not screen their children from the judgments of God, if those children provoke the Lord by their disobedience.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Jeremiah threatens the wicked shepherds, that is, the magistrates, the priests and the prophets, accusing them of being the cause of all the abominable practices which prevailed in the kingdom of Judah; and he foretells, that God would raise in the family of David a great king, who should be the deliverer of his people. After this he complains, that the priests and prophets of Judah were still worse than those of the kingdom of Israel; he says, that they abandoned themselves to the utmost excesses, and, besides this, deceived the people, falsely boasting of revelations, and promising them peace; and he denounces the Divine vengeance against them.

Reflections.

HERE let us consider, I. That God's promise, to give his people good shepherds, and to raise in the house of king David a righteous prince, was fulfilled, not only when the Jews returned from Babylon, under the conduct of Zorobabel, who was a descendant of David, and had Ezra, Jeshua and Nehemiah, and other good men for their governors; but chiefly when God sent Jesus Christ, born of that family, to be the great Shepherd and Redeemer of the church. II. The complaints that God here makes against false shepherds, and chiefly against the priests and prophets of Jerusalem, are worthy our whole attention. The Lord says, they were worse than those of Samaria, who were however idolaters; that the land was filled with adulteries, perjuries, and all manner of wickedness; but that the prophets were the occasion of it: that if they had made known to the Jews the will of God, they might have been converted from their sins; but instead of that, they had deceived them, telling them there was nothing to fear. Ministers, who are sent by God, should attend to these words, and faithfully record them in their minds. But it is a great misfortune indeed, when, instead of faithfully declaring the will of the Lord, and turning sinners from the error of their ways, they flatter and soothe them in their crimes, and withal set them a bad example. God declares very expressly, that he is angry with these wicked shepherds, and that they cannot escape his knowledge and vengeance. By this every one may see of what consequence it is, that pastors and rulers should discharge their duty. But since God threatens the people as well as the prophets, it is evident, that if those who seduce others are guilty, those who suffer themselves to be seduced will be justly punished; that we ought therefore to be well instructed in the will of God, and after we have known it, should be afraid to offend God by disobedience; and to this end should always remember, what he himself says in this chapter, Can

« AnteriorContinuar »