Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Jeremiah
Book: Jeremiah
Chapter: 36
Overview:
Baruch is to write the prophecies of
Jeremiah.
(1-8) The
princes advise them to hide themselves.
(9-19) The
King having
heard a part, burns the
Roll.
(20-32)
1-8 The
Writing of the Scriptures was
By Divine appointment.
The Divine
Wisdom directed to this as a proper means; if it
failed, the
House of
Judah would be the more without excuse. The
Lord declares to sinners the evil he purposes to do against
them, that they may hear, and fear, and return from their evil
ways; and whenever any one makes this use of
God's warnings, in
dependence
On his promised
Mercy, he will find the
Lord ready to
forgive his sins. All others will be left without excuse; and
the consideration that great is the
Anger God has pronounced
against us for
Sin, should quicken both our prayers and our
endeavours.
9-19 Shows of
Piety and devotion may be found even among those,
who, though they keep up forms of
Godliness, are strangers and
enemies to the power of it. The princes patiently attended the
reading of the whole
Book. They were in great fear. But even
those who are convinced to the
Truth and importance of what they
hear, and are disposed to favour those who preach it, often have
difficulties and reserves about their safety, interest, or
preferment,
So that they do not act according to their
convictions, and try to get rid of what they find troublesome.
20-32 Those who despise the
Word of God, will soon show, as
this
King did, that they hate it; and, like him, they would wish
it destroyed. See what
Enmity there is against
God in the
Carnal
mind, and wonder at his patience. The princes showed some
concern, till they saw how
Light the
King made of it. Beware of
making
Light of
God's
Word!