flatter people in their sins, because they love to be flattered; and they speak smoothly to their
prophets, that their prophets may speak smoothly to them. God promises that they should return
after seventy years were accomplished. By this it appears, that the seventy years of the captivity
are not to be reckoned from the last captivity, but the first. It will be the bringing to pass of God's
good word to them. This shall form God's purposes. We often do not know our own minds, but the
Lord is never at an uncertainty. We are sometimes ready to fear that God's designs are all against
us; but as to his own people, even that which seems evil, is for good. He will give them, not the
expectations of their fears, or the expectations of their fancies, but the expectations of their faith;
the end he has promised, which will be the best for them. When the Lord pours out an especial
spirit of prayer, it is a good sign that he is coming toward us in mercy. Promises are given to quicken
and encourage prayer. He never said, Seek ye me in vain. Those who remained at Jerusalem would
be utterly destroyed, notwithstanding what the false prophets said to the contrary. The reason has
often been given, and it justifies the eternal ruin of impenitent sinners; Because they have not
hearkened to my words; I called, but they refused.
Jer. 29:20-32 Jeremiah foretells judgments upon the false prophets, who deceived the Jews in
Babylon. Lying was bad; lying to the people of the Lord, to delude them into a false hope, was
worse; but pretending to rest their own lies upon the God of truth, was worst of all. They flattered
others in their sins, because they could not reprove them without condemning themselves. The
most secret sins are known to God; and there is a day coming when he will bring to light all the
hidden works of darkness. Shemaiah urges the priests to persecute Jeremiah. Their hearts are
wretchedly hardened who justify doing mischief by having power to do it. They were in a miserable
thraldom for mocking the messengers of the Lord, and misusing his prophets; yet in their distress
they trespass still more against the Lord. Afflictions will not of themselves cure men of their sins,
unless the grace of God works with them. Those who slight the blessings, deserve to lose the benefit
of God's word, like Shemaiah. The accusations against many active Christians in all ages, amount
to no more than this, that they earnestly counsel men to attend to their true interest and duties, and
to wait for the performance of God's promises in his appointed way.
Chapter 30
Troubles which shall be before the restoration of Israel. (Jer. 30:1-11) Encouragement to trust
Divine promises. (Jer. 30:12-17) The blessings under Christ, and the wrath on the wicked. (Jer.
30:18-24)
Jer. 30:1-11 Jeremiah is to write what God had spoken to him. The very words are such as the
Holy Ghost teaches. These are the words God ordered to be written; and promises written by his
order, are truly his word. He must write a description of the trouble the people were now in, and
were likely to be in. A happy end should be put to these calamities. Though the afflictions of the
church may last long, they shall not last always. The Jews shall be restored again. They shall obey,
or hearken to the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of David, their King. The deliverance of the Jews