16 August

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Jeremiah 14-17

Jeremiah 14

We now come to the second division of the Book, that containing the account of the prophet's ministry. This falls into three sections: prophecies before the fall of Jerusalem (v. 14 - 39), prophecies after the fall of Jerusalem (v. 40 - 45), and prophecies concerning the nations (v. 46 - 51).

The first series of messages declares God's determination to punish (v. 14 -17). This consists of a parable (v. 14:1 - 6), an account of a controversy between the prophet and Jehovah (v. 14: 7-15), and the new charge delivered to the prophet (v. 16, 17). The opening parable is a graphic picture of drought. The high and the low alike are affected. The whole ground is barren, and all animal life is suffering.

After the word concerning the drought we have the account of a remarkable controversy between Jeremiah and Jehovah. In language full of stately dignity the prophet appealed to Jehovah not to persecute His people. This appeal was answered by solemn refusal. Because of the persistent wandering of the people the prophet was commanded not to pray for them, Jehovah declaring that He would not hear them. The prophet then pleaded that the prophets had declared that they should be preserved from evil. To this Jehovah replied that they had lied. Though speaking in His name, they had not been sent by Him, and therefore they would be consumed by sword and famine. Likewise the people to whom they had prophesied must be punished.

Again Jeremiah appealed, inquiring if God had utterly forsaken His people, making confession of sin, and beseeching God's pity on the people for His own name's sake.

Jeremiah 15

To this great appeal Jehovah again replied by declaring mercy to be impossible, and judgment inevitable, and this on account of the sin of Manasseh which had been persisted in, namely, the rejection of Jehovah by the people. Therefore they had been judged, and judgment must be completed.

On hearing this the prophet cried out in great anguish, and Jehovah promised to strengthen him, while reiterating His determination to punish the people.

Once again the prophet replied, first in resignation, and then in prayer on behalf of himself, which ended with a sigh, indicative of the strain being put on his faith. The controversy ends with the Lord's promise that if Jeremiah would be true to the Word of God, then the Lord would be a defense and a deliverance to Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 16

The controversy was immediately followed by a new charge to the prophet. Jehovah called him to a life of personal asceticism, commanding that he abstain from both mourning and mirth. That is to say, he was to stand aloof from the people in order to deliver to them the messages of his God. His messages of judgment would provoke inquiry among the people concerning the reason of God's dealings with them. The prophet was charged to make clear to them that these things resulted from their own sin. Yet immediately Jehovah declared to His servant that His purpose in judgment was the ultimate deliverance of the people.

This final word the prophet answered with an affirmation of his confidence in Jehovah, first as to his own personal safety, and then as to the ultimate issue.

Jeremiah 17

Once again Jehovah declared His determination to deal with the people in judgment, because of the defiant definiteness of their sin. That sin was "written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond." This declaration is followed by a contrast between the man who trusts in man and the "man who trusteth in Jehovah." The first dwells in the midst of desert desolation. The second is rooted by the springs of fruitfulness. This is true notwithstanding contrary appearances. Jehovah is the Searcher of hearts, and ultimately the folly of such as do wickedly must be manifest. To these words of Jehovah the prophet replied in a great affirmation of faith, and an equally great appeal of need. In grave peril he was conscious of the place of sanctuary, namely, right relationship to the uplifted throne of Jehovah. To forsake Jehovah was to forsake the fountain of living waters.

Yet the sense of need was very great, and Jeremiah appealed to Jehovah to give him His word, and to vindicate him in the sight of the people. He was then commissioned to stand in the gate of the people, and offer them the test of the Sabbath, being commanded to warn them of how their fathers failed in this respect, and also to declare to them that if they refused to hearken, the judgment must fall.