Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

(Jeff_L) #1

after the captivity; and those inheritances are but faint resemblances of the possessions in the
heavenly Canaan, which are kept for all who have God's fear in their hearts, and do not depart from
him. Let us then bear up under our trials, assured we shall obtain all the good he has promised us.


Chapter 33


The restoration of the Jews. (Jer. 33:1-13) The Messiah promised; happiness of his times. (Jer.
33:14-26)


Jer. 33:1-13 Those who expect to receive comforts from God, must call upon him. Promises
are given, not to do away, but to quicken and encourage prayer. These promises lead us to the
gospel of Christ; and in that God has revealed truth to direct us, and peace to make us easy. All
who by sanctifying grace are cleansed from the filth of sin, by pardoning mercy are freed from the
guilt. When sinners are thus justified, washed, and sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and
by the Holy Spirit, they are enabled to walk before God in peace and purity. Many are led to perceive
the real difference between the people of God and the world around them, and to fear the Divine
wrath. It is promised that the people who were long in sorrow, shall again be filled with joy. Where
the Lord gives righteousness and peace, he will give all needful supplies for temporal wants; and
all we have will be comforts, as sanctified by the word and by prayer.


Jer. 33:14-26 To crown the blessings God has in store, here is a promise of the Messiah. He
imparts righteousness to his church, for he is made of God to us righteousness; and believers are
made the righteousness of God in him. Christ is our Lord God, our righteousness, our sanctification,
and our redemption. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. But in this world prosperity and
adversity succeed each other, as light and darkness, day and night. The covenant of priesthood shall
be secured. And all true believers are a holy priesthood, a royal priesthood, they offer up spiritual
sacrifices, acceptable to God; themselves, in the first place, as living sacrifices. The promises of
that covenant shall have full accomplishment in the gospel Israel. In Gal. 6:16, all that walk according
to the gospel rule, are made to be the Israel of God, on whom shall be peace and mercy. Let us not
despise the families which were of old the chosen people of God, though for a time they seem to
be cast off.


Chapter 34


Zedekiah's death at Babylon foretold. (Jer. 34:1-7) The Jews reproved for compelling their poor
brethren to return to unlawful bondage. (Jer. 34:8-22)

Free download pdf