Jer. 16:1-9 The prophet must conduct himself as one who expected to see his country ruined
very shortly. In the prospect of sad times, he is to abstain from marriage, mourning for the dead,
and pleasure. Those who would convince others of the truths of God, must make it appear by their
self-denial, that they believe it themselves. Peace, inward and outward, family and public, is wholly
the work of God, and from his loving-kindness and mercy. When He takes his peace from any
people, distress must follow. There may be times when it is proper to avoid things otherwise our
duty; and we should always sit loose to the pleasures and concerns of this life.
Jer. 16:10-13 Here seems to be the language of those who quarrel at the word of God, and
instead of humbling and condemning themselves, justify themselves, as though God did them
wrong. A plain and full answer is given. They were more obstinate in sin than their fathers, walking
every one after the devices of his heart. Since they will not hearken, they shall be hurried away into
a far country, a land they know not. If they had God's favour, that would make even the land of
their captivity pleasant.
Jer. 16:14-21 The restoration from the Babylonish captivity would be remembered in place of
the deliverance from Egypt; it also typified spiritual redemption, and the future deliverance of the
church from antichristian oppression. But none of the sins of sinners can be hidden from God, or
shall be overlooked by him. He will find out and raise up instruments of his wrath, that shall destroy
the Jews, by fraud like fishers, by force like hunters. The prophet, rejoicing at the hope of mercy
to come, addressed the Lord as his strength and refuge. The deliverance out of captivity shall be a
figure of the great salvation to be wrought by the Messiah. The nations have often known the power
of Jehovah in his wrath; but they shall know him as the strength of his people, and their refuge in
time of trouble.
Chapter 17
The fatal consequences of the idolatry of the Jews. (Jer. 17:1-4) The happiness of the man that
trusts in God; the end of the opposite character. (Jer. 17:5-11) The malice of the prophet's enemies.
(Jer. 17:12-18) The observance of the sabbath. (Jer. 17:19-27)
Jer. 17:1-4 The sins which men commit make little impression on their minds, yet every sin is
marked in the book of God; they are all so graven upon the table of the heart, that they will all be
remembered by the conscience. That which is graven in the heart will become plain in the life;
men's actions show the desires and purposes of their hearts. What need we have to humble ourselves
before God, who are so vile in his sight! How should we depend on his mercy and grace, begging
of God to search and prove us; not to suffer us to be deceived by our own hearts, but to create in
us a clean and holy nature by his Spirit!
Jer. 17:5-11 He who puts confidence in man, shall be like the heath in a desert, a naked tree,
a sorry shrub, the product of barren ground, useless and worthless. Those who trust to their own