our trifling difficulties, let us consider how we should behave, if called to sufferings like those of
saints in former ages.
Jer. 12:7-13 God's people had been the dearly-beloved of his soul, precious in his sight, but
they acted so, that he gave them up to their enemies. Many professing churches become like speckled
birds, presenting a mixture of religion and the world, with its vain fashions, pursuits, and pollutions.
God's people are as men wondered at, as a speckled bird; but this people had by their own folly
made themselves so; and the beasts and birds are called to prey upon them. The whole land would
be made desolate. But until the judgments were actually inflicted, none of the people would lay the
warning to heart. When God's hand is lifted up, and men will not see, they shall be made to feel.
Silver and gold shall not profit in the day of the Lord's anger. And the efforts of sinners to escape
misery, without repentance and works answerable thereto, will end in confusion.
Jer. 12:14-17 The Lord would plead the cause of his people against their evil neighbours. Yet
he would afterwards show mercy to those nations, when they should learn true religion. This seems
to look forward to the times when the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in. Those who would have
their lot with God's people, and a last end like theirs, must learn their ways, and walk in them.
Chapter 13
The glory of the Jews should be marred. (Jer. 13:1-11) All ranks should suffer misery, An
earnest exhortation to repentance. (Jer. 13:12-17) An awful message to Jerusalem and its king. (Jer.
13:18-27)
Jer. 13:1-11 It was usual with the prophets to teach by signs. And we have the explanation,
Jer. 13:9-11. The people of Israel had been to God as this girdle. He caused them to cleave to him
by the law he gave them, the prophets he sent among them, and the favours he showed them. They
had by their idolatries and sins buried themselves in foreign earth, mingled among the nations, and
were so corrupted that they were good for nothing. If we are proud of learning, power, and outward
privileges, it is just with God to wither them. The minds of men should be awakened to a sense of
their guilt and danger; yet nothing will be effectual without the influences of the Spirit.
Jer. 13:12-17 As the bottle was fitted to hold the wine, so the sins of the people made them
vessels of wrath, fitted for the judgments of God; with which they should be filled till they caused
each other's destruction. The prophet exhorts them to give glory to God, by confessing their sins,
humbling themselves in repentance, and returning to his service. Otherwise they would be carried
into other countries in all the darkness of idolatry and wickedness. All misery, witnessed or foreseen,
will affect a feeling mind, but the pious heart must mourn most over the afflictions of the Lord's
flock.