John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 25:28

"And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thy hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Ye shall surely drink." — Jeremiah 25:28 (ASV)

In this verse, the Prophet suggests that however rebellious the nations might be, they could accomplish nothing by their obstinacy, for, willing or unwilling, they would be compelled to drink of the cup. But to make the matter more striking, he introduces them as refusing: If they refuse to take the cup, you shall say to them, says God, Drinking you shall drink. We have said before that the Prophet was not appointed as a teacher over the heathen nations; therefore, what he declares here did not pertain to foreigners, but the whole benefit belonged to God’s Church. Therefore, what is said was spoken for God’s people, so that they might know that since God had determined to punish the wickedness of men, none of all those threatened with judgment could possibly escape.

Men are indeed often like unruly horses, who kick, are ferocious, rage against their rider, and also bite; but the Prophet shows that God possesses power sufficient to quell such obstinacy. He, however, reminds us how rebellious most, or rather, almost all, would be when chastised by God’s hand. It is indeed a rare instance when one who has sinned willingly and calmly submits to God and acknowledges that he is justly punished. In fact, those who confess that they have deserved some heavy punishment still complain against God, for they dread His vengeance, do not grasp His mercy, and do not expect any pardon for themselves. There is then no wonder that the Prophet ascribes here to wicked men, both Jews and foreigners, so hard and rebellious a spirit that they would resist God, try to free themselves from His hand—in short, that they would by all means attempt to escape His judgment.

This is the reason why he says, If they refuse to take the cup from your hand. Thus we see that we are not to take the words in their literal sense: for the Prophet did not speak to foreigners; rather, what he had in view was the event itself, or the disposition of the people.

These nations indeed had some power, and undoubtedly they strenuously defended their own safety; and this was the act of refusing intended by the Prophet. For when the enemy attacked the Moabites, they did not immediately yield, and the same was the case with others. Tyre was almost unassailable, for it was situated in the sea, where it was easy to prevent the approach of enemies.

Since, then, they had resolutely opposed their enemies, they are said to have refused the cup from God’s hand, for they thought that they could keep off the coming evil. But however unconquerable they thought themselves to be, and however much they trusted in their own power, yet God says that their efforts would be in vain and useless: drinking, he says, you shall drink.