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he Jews rebuked for not obeying calls to repentance. (1-7)
Their captivity during seventy years is expressly foretold.
(8-14) Desolations upon the nations shown by the emblem of a cup
of wrath. (15-29) The judgments again declared. (30-38)
Verses 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.
Verses 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.
Verses 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 kingdoms, are represented by the consequences of
excessive drinking. This may make us loathe the sin of
drunkenness, that the consequences of it are used to set forth
such a woful condition. Drunkenness deprives men of the use of
their reason, makes men as mad. It takes from them the valuable
blessing, health; and is a sin which is its own punishment. This
may also make us dread the judgments of war. It soon fills a
nation with confusion. They will refuse to take the cup at thy
hand. They will not believe Jeremiah; but he must tell them it
is the word of the Lord of hosts, and it is in vain for them to
struggle against Almighty power. And if God's judgments begin
with backsliding professors, let not the wicked expect to
escape.
Verses 30-38: The Lord has just ground of controversy with every nation
and every person; and he will execute judgment on all the
wicked. Who can avoid trembling when God speaks in displeasure?
The days are fully come; the time fixed in the Divine counsels,
which will make the nations wholly desolate. The tender and
delicate shall share the common calamity. Even those who used to
live in peace, and did nothing to provoke, shall not escape.
Blessed be God, there is a peaceable habitation above, for all
the sons of peace. The Lord will preserve his church and all
believers in all changes; for nothing can separate them from his
love.
