John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 37:20

"And now hear, I pray thee, O my lord the king: let my supplication, I pray thee, be presented before thee, that thou cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there." — Jeremiah 37:20 (ASV)

This verse shows that Jeremiah was not lacking human feelings, for he, like other men, feared death. Yet he could so control himself that no fear made him turn away from his duty. Fear, then, did not discourage him, as the boldness we have noticed was a clear proof of his steadfastness.

The Prophet therefore overcame, regarding his work, every anxiety and the fear of death. Yet he did not disregard his life, but sought, as much as he could, deliverance from his troubles. He asked for some relief from the king.

We therefore see that the Prophets were not blocks of wood, nor had hearts of iron. Though subject to human feelings, they nevertheless raised themselves to an unconquerable courage in their work, so as to fulfill their duty.

Regarding the words, Let my prayer fall before thee, they signify a humble supplication. It is an expression derived, as we have seen before, from the practice of people prostrating themselves in prayer, and is here applied to a mortal, though such language is typically used when addressing God. The Prophet then humbly asked that he might not be thrown again into that terrible prison where he had been confined — and why? So that he might not die. We see that he avoided death, for this was natural; yet he was prepared to die, whenever necessary, rather than deviate in the slightest from carrying out the duty God had given him.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that as we must in various ways carry on a warfare on earth, we may be enlivened by the power of Your Spirit, so that we may go on through fire and water, and be ever so subject to You, that relying on Your help, we may never hesitate to face all dangers of death, all troubles, all reproaches, and all the terrors of men, until, having at last gained the final victory, we will come to that blessed rest, which Your only-begotten Son has secured for us by His own blood. Amen.