eremiah is directed to go to Gedaliah. (1-6) A conspiracy
against Gedaliah. (7-16)
Verses 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.
Verses 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.
eremiah is directed to go to Gedaliah. (1-6) A conspiracy
against Gedaliah. (7-16)