John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 40:11-12

"Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the children of Ammon, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan; then all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much." — Jeremiah 40:11-12 (ASV)

The Prophet shows here that if internal wickedness had not arisen, the condition of the people would have been endurable until the time of exile had passed. God had set beforehand, as has been stated before, seventy years. Nebuchadnezzar had already so withdrawn the flower of the people that some inhabitants still remained, so that the land might not be entirely desolate and abandoned.

For besides the poor who had been left, he has already told us that some leading men came with their troops. He now adds that all the Jews who had fled to neighboring nations came to Gedaliah; some had taken refuge among the Ammonites, and some among the Moabites. These came and dwelt in the land. Then God thus moderated the severity of His vengeance, so that some remnants continued in Judea until the restoration of the whole people.

But the perverseness of those who had previously despised His favor is, on the other hand, most clearly shown. God undoubtedly designed to make their extreme wickedness manifest, for they not only despised the kindness of King Nebuchadnezzar but also rushed headlong to their own ruin.

Their fury and madness led them to kill their own leader, and thus all things were thrown into confusion. This action might have provoked the conqueror's indignation to obliterate the very name of the people by slaying the captives as well as those who had been left in the land. To point this out was the Prophet's object in this part of the chapter.

He says all the Jews; he includes the particle גם (gam) for emphasis, signifying and even all the Jews, who had fled either to the Moabites, or to the children of Ammon, or to the Idumeans, or to other regions in other countries. There is no doubt that they made up a considerable number. Then the whole land must have had many inhabitants; and though it was not populous, the desolation that might have been feared was not extreme.

We therefore conclude that there was no overstatement made when Gedaliah promised security to the leaders of the forces and their companions. Since he then made an oath that they would all be safe, he did not deceive them, for he truly proved his faithfulness.

These miserable exiles, who returned into Judea, dwelt in safety. God also gave them a rich abundance of fruits, so that they lived comfortably in their own country.

Before the city was taken, these people were wanderers, and undoubtedly they must have suffered great poverty and want. But now the Lord gave them relief and supplied them with plenty.

But we therefore know more fully how great the impiety and wickedness of Ishmael and his companions must have been, who not only had the liberty to dwell comfortably in their own country under the care and protection of Gedaliah but also enjoyed an abundance of blessings.

For since even the most miserable among them gathered a great abundance of fruits, they could have had a large portion of all good things. Therefore, their ingratitude appeared all the more detestable.

And it further appears how extreme and incurable their perverseness was. They were not moved or affected when they saw Jerusalem destroyed, the temple burned, and the horrible slaughter that had taken place.

This was especially true considering they knew what Nebuzaradan had proclaimed concerning God’s vengeance, and how he had performed the office of a prophet in reproving them. That they so obstinately rejected God's blessings and resisted what He did for them was evident proof that they were monstrously stupid.

This is what the Prophet intended to show, as we shall see later. But I must end here.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that as we are not sufficiently attentive in considering Your judgments, we may learn to become wise by the examples of others, and so reflect on what You teach us by Your servants the Prophets that we may apply it to our own use, and thus render ourselves teachable and obedient to You; and that, especially when You chastise us with Your scourges, we may not resist Your power but so submit to You that we may at length be raised up and comforted by Your mercy and be restored to a complete salvation, through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.