John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 11:21-23

"Therefore thus saith Jehovah concerning the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Thou shalt not prophesy in the name of Jehovah, that thou die not by our hand; therefore thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Behold, I will punish them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine; and there shall be no remnant unto them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation." — Jeremiah 11:21-23 (ASV)

The Prophet here expressly denounces vengeance upon his own people, for we have seen at the beginning of this book that he belonged to the town of Anathoth. It now appears from this passage that the holy man not only had to contend with the king, his courtiers, and the priests in Jerusalem, but also that when he went to live quietly among his own people, even there he had no friend, and all persecuted him as an enemy.

Thus, we see how miserable the Prophet's condition was, for he had no rest, even when he sought retirement and fled to his own country. The fact that he was not safe even there is proof to us of how severely God tested and tried him during the many years he performed his prophetic office.

Because the citizens of Anathoth had sinned grievously, he denounces a special calamity upon them. It is indeed certain that the Prophet was not kindly received at Jerusalem. In fact, as we will see later, he met there with the most cruel enemies. But when he hoped for some rest and relaxation in his own country, he was received even there as we see here. This is why God commanded him to threaten the citizens of Anathoth with destruction. I cannot finish everything today.

Grant, Almighty God, that as you remind us in your word of our many vices and sins, we may learn to direct our eyes and thoughts to you, and never think that we are dealing with a mortal being, but that we may anticipate your judgment; and may we learn to examine all our thoughts and test our feelings in such a way that no hypocrisy deceives us and that we may not sleep in our sins; but, being truly awakened, may we humble ourselves before you and so seek your pardon, that when we lie down in true repentance, you may absolve us in your mercy, through the power of that sacrifice by which your only-begotten Son has once for all reconciled us to you. Amen.