John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 46:21

"Also her hired men in the midst of her are like calves of the stall; for they also are turned back, they are fled away together, they did not stand: for the day of their calamity is come upon them, the time of their visitation." — Jeremiah 46:21 (ASV)

Here the Prophet represents the mercenaries of Egypt, as we have already said, as foreign soldiers who had been hired from various places and from distant countries, such as Lydia. It may still have been that not many at that time had come from overseas to the Egyptians; however, they had the Ethiopians (for Ezekiel says that many came from Cush, that is, Ethiopia) and also some from Libya and the neighboring countries. Then Jeremiah includes them all under one name, calling them mercenaries.

Now, those who hire themselves out generally seem more warlike than others. For those who defend their own country do this from necessity; but those who willingly seek war, and leave their own borders to engage in it, seem to be men suited for any bold undertaking.

But the Prophet says, also (Hebrew: גם, gam), meaning also mercenaries; this signifies that not only were the Egyptians accustomed to a delicate and indulgent life, but also the Ethiopians and others who had been hired. They are also in its midst like fatted bullocks; that is, they fill themselves with the abundance of Egypt. And so it was that they became prey to their enemies, for we know that nothing is more harmful to soldiers than to live delicately and luxuriously.

Of all ancient generals, the most celebrated is Hannibal. But how did it happen that, despite having an invincible army which had terrified all Italy, he afterwards fell? It was because Campania, with its luxuries, weakened him; for he lived there not like a soldier, but had richly furnished tables for himself and for his army.

For this reason, they were no longer what they had been. So also the Prophet says, Egypt will ruin its hired soldiers; for she will satiate them with luxuries. What eventually happened to them? He compares them to bullocks of the stall (Hebrew: מרבק, merebec). Some read this as "bullocks of the pasture," but not correctly, for רבק (rebec) properly means "to fatten."

He then calls them bullocks of the stall, which are fed so that they may become fat and soon be slaughtered. He therefore says, They also shall turn their backs; and then he says, They shall not stand, because the time of calamity has come. I cannot finish this subject now.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that when you indulge us, we may not abuse your patience nor become self-indulgent in prosperity, but may learn so to subdue ourselves willingly that we may obey you throughout the whole course of our life and mortify our flesh, lest we be elated by pride and false confidence; but may we instead so live in your fear as to reverence you when we regard you as the righteous Judge of the world, and at the same time rely on you when we acknowledge you as our Father, as you have been pleased to adopt us in your only-begotten Son, our Lord. Amen.