the pious captives. We cannot determine as to God's love or hatred by what is before us. Early
suffering sometimes proves for the best. The sooner the child is corrected, the better effect the
correction is likely to have. Even this captivity was for their good; and God's intentions never are
in vain. By afflictions they were convinced of sin, humbled under the hand of God, weaned from
the world, taught to pray, and turned from sins, particularly from idolatry. God promises that he
will own them in captivity. The Lord will own those who are his, in all conditions. God assures
them of his protection in trouble, and a glorious deliverance in due time. When our troubles are
sanctified to us, we may be sure that they will end well. They shall return to him with their whole
heart. Thus they should have liberty to own him for their God, to pray to him, and expect blessings
from him. The bad figs were Zedekiah and those of his party yet in the land. These should be
removed for their hurt, and forsaken of all mankind. God has many judgments, and those that escape
one, may expect another, till they are brought to repent. Doubtless, this prophecy had its fulfilment
in that age; but the Spirit of prophecy may here look forward to the dispersion of the unbelieving
Jews, in all the nations of the earth. Let those who desire blessings from the Lord, beg that he will
give them a heart to know him.
Chapter 25
The Jews rebuked for not obeying calls to repentance. (Jer. 25:1-7) Their captivity during
seventy years is expressly foretold. (Jer. 25:8-14) Desolations upon the nations shown by the emblem
of a cup of wrath. (Jer. 25:15-29) The judgments again declared. (Jer. 25:30-38)
Jer. 25:1-7 The call to turn from evil ways to the worship and service of God, and for sinners
to trust in Christ, and partake of his salvation, concerns all men. God keeps an account how long
we possess the means of grace; and the longer we have them, the heavier will our account be if we
have not improved them. Rising early, points out the earnest desire that this people should turn and
live. Personal and particular reformation must be insisted on as necessary to a national deliverance;
and every one must turn from his own evil way. Yet all was to no purpose. They would not take
the right and only method to turn away the wrath of God.
Jer. 25:8-14 The fixing of the time during which the Jewish captivity should last, would not
only confirm the prophecy, but also comfort the people of God, and encourage faith and prayer.
The ruin of Babylon is foretold: the rod will be thrown into the fire when the correcting work is
done. When the set time to favour Zion is come, Babylon shall be punished for their iniquity, as
other nations have been punished for their sins. Every threatening of the Scripture will certainly
be accomplished.
Jer. 25:15-29 The evil and the good events of life are often represented in Scripture as cups.
Under this figure is represented the desolation then coming upon that part of the world, of which
Nebuchadnezzar, who had just began to reign and act, was to be the instrument; but this destroying
sword would come from the hand of God. The desolations the sword should make in all these