Matthew Henry Commentary Jeremiah 1
Matthew Henry Commentary
Jeremiah 1
Matthew Henry Commentary
Jeremiah 1
"The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin: to whom the word of Jehovah came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month. Now the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee; I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord Jehovah! behold, I know not how to speak; for I am a child. But Jehovah said unto me, Say not, I am a child; for to whomsoever I shall send thee thou shalt go, and whatsoever I shall command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid because of them; for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith Jehovah. Then Jehovah put forth his hand, and touched my mouth; and Jehovah said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth: see, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down and to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant." — Jeremiah 1:1-10 (ASV)
Jeremiah's early call to the work and office of a prophet is stated. He was to be a prophet, not only to the Jews but also to the neighbouring nations. He is still a prophet to the whole world, and it would be good if they would heed these warnings. The Lord who formed us knows for what particular services and purposes he intended us.
But unless he sanctifies us by his new-creating Spirit, we will be neither fit for his holy service on earth nor his holy happiness in heaven. It is fitting for us to have humble thoughts of ourselves. Those who are young should recognize their youth and not venture beyond their abilities.
But though a sense of our own weakness and insufficiency should make us go humbly about our work, it should not make us draw back when God calls us. Those who have messages to deliver from God, must not fear the face of man. The Lord, by a sign, gave Jeremiah the gift that was necessary.
God's message should be delivered in his own words. Whatever worldly-wise men or politicians may think, the safety of kingdoms is decided according to the purpose and word of God.
"Moreover the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond-tree. Then said Jehovah unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I watch over my word to perform it. And the word of Jehovah came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a boiling caldron; and the face thereof is from the north. Then Jehovah said unto me, Out of the north evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith Jehovah; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah. And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, in that they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands. Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at them, lest I dismay thee before them. For, behold, I have made thee this day a fortified city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee, saith Jehovah, to deliver thee." — Jeremiah 1:11-19 (ASV)
God gave Jeremiah a view of the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem by the Chaldeans. The almond tree, which blooms earlier in the spring than any other, represented the speedy approach of judgments. God also showed from where the intended ruin would arise. Jeremiah saw a seething pot boiling, representing Jerusalem and Judah in great commotion. The mouth or face of the furnace or hearth was toward the north, from where the fire and fuel were to come. The northern powers would unite.
The cause of these judgments was the sin of Judah. The whole counsel of God must be declared. The fear of God is the best remedy against the fear of man. Better to have all men our enemies than God our enemy; those who are sure they have God with them need not, and ought not to fear, whoever is against them.
Let us pray that we may be willing to give up personal interests, and that nothing may move us from our duty.
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