Chapter 5
The Jews' profession of religion was hypocritical. (Jer. 5:1-9) The cruel proceedings of their
enemies. (Jer. 5:10-18) Their apostacy and idolatry. (Jer. 5:19-31)
Jer. 5:1-9 None could be found who behaved as upright and godly men. But the Lord saw the
true character of the people through all their disguises. The poor were ignorant, and therefore they
were wicked. What can be expected but works of darkness, from people that know nothing of God
and religion? There are God's poor, who, notwithstanding poverty, know the way of the Lord, walk
in it, and do their duty; but these were willingly ignorant, and their ignorance would not be their
excuse. The rich were insolent and haughty, and the abuse of God's favours made their sin worse.
Jer. 5:10-18 Multitudes are ruined by believing that God will not be so strict as his word says
he will; by this artifice Satan undid mankind. Sinners are not willing to own any thing to be God's
word, that tends to part them from, or to disquiet them in, their sins. Mocking and misusing the
Lord's messengers, filled the measure of their iniquity. God can bring trouble upon us from places
and causes very remote. He has mercy in store for his people, therefore will set bounds to this
desolating judgment. Let us not overlook the "nevertheless," Jer. 5:18. This is the Lord's covenant
with Israel. He thereby proclaims his holiness, and his utter displeasure against sin while sparing
the sinner, Ps. 89:30-35.
Jer. 5:19-31 Unhumbled hearts are ready to charge God with being unjust in their afflictions.
But they may read their sin in their punishment. If men will inquire wherefore the Lord doeth hard
things unto them, let them think of their sins. The restless waves obeyed the Divine decree, that
they should not pass the sandy shores, which were as much a restraint as lofty mountains; but they
burst all restraints of God's law, and were wholly gone into wickedness. Neither did they consider
their interest. While the Lord, year after year, reserves to us the appointed weeks of harvest, men
live on his bounty; yet they transgress against him. Sin deprives us of God's blessings; it makes the
heaven as brass, and the earth as iron. Certainly the things of this world are not the best things; and
we are not to think, that, because evil men prosper, God allows their practices. Though sentence
against evil works is not executed speedily, it will be executed. Shall I not visit for these things?
This speaks the certainty and the necessity of God's judgments. Let those who walk in bad ways
consider that an end will come, and there will be bitterness in the latter end.
Chapter 6
The invasion of Judea. (Jer. 6:1-8) The justice of God's proceedings. (Jer. 6:9-17) All methods
used to amend them had been without success. (Jer. 6:18-30)
Jer. 6:1-8 Whatever methods are used, it is vain to contend with God's judgments. The more
we indulge in the pleasures of this life, the more we unfit ourselves for the troubles of this life. The