dealings of Providence: but whether the Lord makes men poor or rich, nothing will profit them
while they cleave to their sins.
Jer. 39:11-14 The servants of God alone are prepared for all events; and they are delivered and
comforted, while the wicked suffer. They often meet with more kindness from the profane, than
from hypocritical professors of godliness. The Lord will raise them up friends, do them good, and
perform all his promises.
Jer. 39:15-18 Here is a message to assure Ebed-melech of a recompence for his great kindness
to Jeremiah. Because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord. God recompenses men's services
according to their principles. Those who trust God in the way of duty, as this good man did, will
find that their hope shall not fail in times of the greatest danger.
Chapter 40
Jeremiah is directed to go to Gedaliah. (Jer. 40:1-6) A conspiracy against Gedaliah. (Jer. 40:7-16)Jer. 40:1-6 The captain of the guard seems to glory that he had been God's instrument to fulfil,
what Jeremiah had been God's messenger to foretell. Many can see God's justice and truth with
regard to others, who are heedless and blind as to themselves and their own sins. But, sooner or
later, all men shall be made sensible that their sin is the cause of all their miseries. Jeremiah has
leave to dispose of himself; but is advised to go to Gedaliah, governor of the land under the king
of Babylon. It is doubtful whether Jeremiah acted right in this decision. But those who desire the
salvation of sinners, and the good of the church, are apt to expect better times from slight
appearances, and they will prefer the hope of being useful, to the most secure situations without it.
Jer. 40:7-16 Jeremiah had never in his prophecies spoken of any good days for the Jews, to
come immediately after the captivity; yet Providence seemed to encourage such an expectation.
But how soon is this hopeful prospect blighted! When God begins a judgment, he will complete it.
While pride, ambition, or revenge, bears rule in the heart, men will form new projects, and be
restless in mischief, which commonly ends in their own ruin. Who would have thought, that after
the destruction of Jerusalem, rebellion would so soon have sprung up? There can be no thorough
change but what grace makes. And if the miserable, who are kept in everlasting chains for the
judgment of the great day, were again permitted to come on earth, the sin and evil of their nature
would be unchanged. Lord, give us new hearts, and that new mind in which the new birth consists,
since thou hast said we cannot without it see thy heavenly kingdom.
Chapter 41