‏ Jeremiah 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.