Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Jeremiah
Book: Jeremiah
Chapter: 14
Overview:
A
Drought upon the land of
Judah.
(1-7) A
Confession of
Sin in
the name of the people.
(8-9) The Divine purpose to punish is
declared.
(10-16) The people supplicate.
(17-22)
1-9 The people were in tears. But it was rather the cry of
their trouble, and of their
Sin, than of their
Prayer. Let us be
thankful for the
Mercy of water, that we may not be taught to
value it
By feeling the want of it. See what dependence
husbandmen have upon the Divine
Providence. They cannot
Plough
nor sow in
Hope, unless
God water their furrows. The case even
of the wild beasts was very pitiable. The people are not forward
to pray, but the
Prophet prays for them.
Sin is humbly
confessed. Our sins not only accuse us, but answer against us.
Our best pleas in
Prayer are those fetched from the
Glory of
God's own name. We should dread
God's departure, more than the
removal of our
Creature-comforts. He has given
Israel his
Word
to
Hope in. It becomes us in
Prayer to show ourselves more
concerned for
God's
Glory than for our own comfort. And if we
now return to the
Lord, he will save us to the
Glory of his
Grace.
10-16 The
Lord calls the Jews "this people," not "his people."
They had forsaken his service, therefore he would punish them
according to their sins. He forbade
Jeremiah to plead for them.
The false prophets were the most criminal. The
Lord pronounces
condemnation
On them; but as the people loved to have it
So,
they were not to escape judgments. False teachers encourage men
to expect peace and
Salvation, without
Repentance,
Faith,
Conversion, and
Holiness of
Life. But those who believe a
Lie
must not plead it for an excuse. They shall feel what they say
they will not fear.
17-22 Jeremiah acknowledged his own sins, and those of the
people, but pleaded with the
Lord to remember his
Covenant. In
their distress none of the idols of the
Gentiles could help
them, nor could the heavens give
Rain of themselves. The
Lord
will always have a people to plead with him at his
Mercy-seat.
He will heal every truly repenting sinner. Should he not see fit
to hear our prayers
On behalf of our guilty land, he will
certainly
Bless with
Salvation all who confess their sins and
seek his
Mercy.