John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 32:20

"who didst set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, both in Israel and among [other] men; and madest thee a name, as at this day;" — Jeremiah 32:20 (ASV)

The Prophet here especially commemorates the singular kindness of God, by which He had testified His paternal favor towards His Church. He (the Prophet) then says that signs and wonders had been done by Him (God) in the land of Egypt, that is, for the sake of His people. For why were so many miracles done, except to prove the care He had for His chosen people, and thus to confirm His covenant? Thus we see that God’s favor towards the children of Abraham is presented here, that is, when he (the Prophet) refers to the signs and wonders which had been done in the land of Egypt.

And he (the Prophet) adds, and in Israel. He (the Prophet) extols not only God’s power in miracles, but especially the mercy with which He (God) favored His chosen people. He (the Prophet) says also, to this day. This does not mean that God performed miracles in every age, but he (the Prophet) means that they were worthy of being perpetually remembered, and throughout all ages. This, then, refers to the remembrance and celebration of God’s power, when the Prophet says, to this day. God, indeed, performed miracles at a certain time, but He performed them so that they might be remembered in all ages, and that posterity might acknowledge how wonderfully God had dwelt with their fathers.

As, then, the power which He (God) manifested in Egypt was worthy of being remembered, miracles are said to have been done to this day; and they are said to have been done in Israel, because it was God’s purpose to prove the certainty of His faithfulness when He redeemed His people as He had promised.

He (the Prophet) afterwards adds, and among men. The Prophet goes on still further. After he (the Prophet) had spoken of the redemption of the people, he (the Prophet) intimates that wherever he (the Prophet) turned, he observed and admired the evidences of God’s power, as though he (the Prophet) had said, “O Lord, You have indeed given peculiar testimonies to Your wonderful power and goodness; the redemption of Your people was a singular work and ought to be commemorated through all ages; but wherever we turn, there is no corner in the whole world where some miracles do not appear, which ought to lead us to celebrate Your praises.”

Thus we see that the Prophet proceeds from what is particular to what is general. After having considered God’s power and goodness in the redemption of His people, he (the Prophet) extended his thoughts to all parts of the world and contemplated God’s miracles everywhere.

And this is what often occurs in Scripture; after having been reminded of some particular instance of divine power or grace, we are carried away so that we make a transition to what is general. And he (the Prophet) adds, and You have made for Yourself, or acquired for Yourself, a name according to this day; that is, You have made Your name to be perpetual, as its glory still shines before our eyes to this day. The Prophet means, then, that God had so wonderfully manifested His power that the knowledge of it would be perpetual and could never be buried by the ingratitude of men.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that as our whole wisdom is this—to submit ourselves to You, to admire, and receive, and reverently to adore Your judgments—O grant that we may not indulge the perverse thoughts of our flesh, but so learn to check and restrain ourselves as always to render to You the praise due to Your wisdom, justice, and power. May we thus walk in sobriety of mind while we sojourn in this world, until we at length contemplate Your glory face to face, being made partakers of it in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.