Jer 39:3

AND TOOK SEATS: To give judgment: cp Rth 4:1,2; 2Sa 19:8.

Jer 39:7

Jeremiah had prophesied that Zedekiah would actually see the king of Babylon, and speak with him face to face, and that he would go to Babylon (Jer 32:4,5) — whereas Ezekiel had prophesied that, even though Zedekiah would go to Babylon, he would NOT see it (Eze 12:13)! These two prophecies seem ALMOST contradictory, until it is understood that they were fulfilled in just this precise manner: (1) First, Zedekiah saw the KING of Babylon, then (2) his eyes were put out, and finally (3) he was taken to the CITY of Babylon, which he would NOT see. Gill calls this “a full proof of the prescience of God; of his foreknowledge of future and contingent events; of the truth and certainty of prophecy, and of the authority of divine revelation.”

Jer 39:15

Vv 15-18: God promised freedom and leniency for Ebed-melech, and he received it.

Jer 39:17

“When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him” (Pro 16:7).

Jer 36:9

Cp Dan 1:1 with Dan 2:1: at the same time that the king of Judah was burning the word of God, the king of Babylon was listening to it!

Outward contrition.

Jer 36:22

WINTER APARTMENT: Lower part of house, insulated and protected from elements. December — very cold in Jerusalem.

Jer 36:23

WHENEVER JEHUDI HAD READ THREE OR FOUR COLUMNS OF THE SCROLL, THE KING CUT THEM OFF WITH A SCRIBE’S KNIFE AND THREW THEM INTO THE FIREPOT, UNTIL THE ENTIRE SCROLL WAS BURNED IN THE FIRE: God’s Word is a burning fire (Jer 20:9)! We can warm ourselves by it, but not in the way Jehoiakim did! Do we cut up and cast aside and burn God’s Word?

The “scribe’s knife” in the NIV is translated as “penknife” in the AV. Alan Hayward has an interesting comment about the use of a penknife, in much more modern times, which strangely echoes this incident: “A very interesting book was published in the year 1900: ‘A Bible Hand-book for the Use of Unbelievers.’

“It is an astonishing document. It contains nearly two hundred pages of Bible quotations, arranged by two atheists to provide ammunition for other atheists to shoot at Christians. So-called contradictions, absurdities, indecencies, atrocities — they are all there.

“Nearly all of them can be answered quite successfully. I use the book to give my senior Sunday School scholars something to cut their teeth on. What concerns me at this moment is the thirty-four pages of ‘unfulfilled prophecies and broken promises.’

“This is an accusation to be taken very seriously. If true, it would undermine the Bible-believer’s foundations. If the Bible is full — as that book alleges — of promises that have been broken, how can we trust it? How can it be inspired? And if it contains lots of unfulfilled prophecies, what then?…

“Relax. There is nothing to worry about.

“In their preface the atheist writers said that, to ensure accuracy, they cut all their quotations out of printed Bibles with a penknife. Unfortunately, this is not the way to treat the Bible. Bible verses only make sense if you study them in their context, that is, their setting. You need to read the verses on either side of the verse in question. As I have pointed out on several occasions, you also need to make allowance for Hebrew idiom.

“These authors have done neither. They have treated each verse as an isolated statement of literal English. In consequence the interpretations they put on many passages are quite ridiculous. For example, they quote the words of Jesus, which were obviously meant to be symbolic: ‘Whoso eateth My flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life’ (John 6:54). Alongside this they print the absurd comment: ‘Cannibalism to secure eternal life’ ” (GT ch 20).

It is plain to see that the Bible cannot and should not be cut up into small pieces, with a penknife or by any other means. (Not even by computer and word processor!) Just like the old saying about real estate, it’s all about location, location, location! Every verse in the Bible is meant to be studied in its proper setting, comparing verse with verse, and chapter with chapter, in its immediate context. And then, broadening the scope a bit, every book in the Bible is meant to be studied alongside the other parts of the Bible — law compared with history, and history with prophecy, and gospel with gospel, and New Testament fulfillment with Old Testament prophecy. Any form of “study” of the Bible that cuts the word of God into small, distinct pieces — or that attempts to take lessons from single verses or short passages cut off from their setting — will only lead to confusion or worse. Most every “false doctrine” that is believed, anywhere, can be “proven” by such a “penknife” method!

Or, as it has been said, a “text” without a “context” is merely a “pretext” — and one more way of cutting up the word of God, and making it meaningless.

A true story, illustrating the above point: A Christadelphian sister was attempting to show her mother the true teaching of the Bible. It was not the first time the older lady had been distressed to find that the very words of her own Bible contradicted, in plain terms, what she had been taught by her church. On this occasion, she had told her daughter, “You can’t tell ME that the ‘soul’ is not immortal!” It was an easy matter, of course, for her daughter to point her to Eze 18:4 (one among many such passages): “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” This last bit of information was simply too much for the disappointed lady. So she took the page that held the offending verse and ripped it out of her Bible! “Well, it’s not in MY Bible,” she retorted. End of conversation.

Jer 36:31

Jehoiakim’s end, so far as is recorded: 2Ch 36:6; cp Jer 22:19: the burial of an ass, by prophecy.

Jer 33:8

Israel to be cleansed and forgiven: Jer 30:17; Eze 20:38. By means of new covenant: Jer 31:31-34; Isa 59:20,21; Rom 11:27.

Jer 33:11

The correspondence of animal sacrifices to praise/song/prayer: Psa 50:13,14; 51:15-17; 69:30,31; 141:2; 40:6-10; Hos 14:1,2 (Heb 13:15).

Jer 33:14

Vv 14-16: “In reference to this good time which is near at hand it is written, ‘Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel, and to the house of Judah. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of Righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely; and this is the name whereby he shall be called, The Lord our Righteousness’ (Jer 23:5,6; 33:14-16; Eze 48:35; Isa 24:23). The Kingdom of God, then, has existed once, but, for the present, exists ‘no more’ [Eze 21:25-27]. It existed from the fourteenth to the twenty-eighth generation [Mat 1:17], a period of rather more than a thousand years; but it has been extinct upwards of two thousand five hundred years — a time so long that the promise of its restoration has become a mere fable, or speculation, in the estimation of the world! But the believer in the gospel of this kingdom rejoices in the sure and certain hope of its restitution, and glorious and triumphant existence for a thousand years, at the expiration of which kingdoms on earth will be no more, but God will be all and in all” (Elp).

Jer 33:16

IT WILL BE CALLED: Or, “he will be called”. Cp Jer 23:5. This is the name of the king (also see v 17, re the king).

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS: Yahweh Tzidkenu, in ct to the current king, Zedekiah (Tzedek-yahu). Which was the true “LORD of righteousness”?

Jer 33:17

// Psa 89:3,4,34-37; Act 2:30.

Jer 33:25

Vv 25,26: // Jer 31:35,36; 2Sa 7:16; Isa 55:1-3.

Jer 34:1

Jer 34: “A message of doom was delivered as the Babylonian army sweeps south. Jeremiah declared: [1] Jerusalem shall not escape: vv 1-7. [2] The reason why it will not escape: It is false to its oath: vv 8-11. [3] ‘You have polluted My Name,’ saith Yahweh: vv 12-16. [4] Therefore I proclaim liberty over the sword to destroy you!: vv 17-20. [5] Zedekiah and Jerusalem are doomed: vv 21,22. Note: The siege was began in the 9th year of Zedekiah, the 10th day, the 10th month. This revelation came a little later during the interval between the raising the siege and the return of Nebuchadnezzar (cp Jer 37:5). The prophecy threatened the king in particular. It so incensed him that he imprisoned the prophet (Jer 32:2-5), or rather this became the grounds upon which he refused to release him — for he had already been imprisoned by Shelemiah. Zedekiah had made a belated attempt to save the nation by binding it to the covenant of Yahweh. But there was no genuineness in it. Already he had proved false to Nebuchadnezzar (Eze 17:13), and now was attempting to double-cross Yahweh” (GEM).

Jer 34:3

Cp this v with Eze 12:12: “He will cover his face so that he cannot see the land.” Zedekiah compares the 2 prophecies, believes this represents a contradiction. But both WERE fulfilled: Zedekiah saw the king at Riblah, after which his eyes were put out, and he was taken to Babylon (BS 72:7).

Jer 34:7

One of the ostraka found in the dig at Lachish described how the commander of the Israelite garrison outside Lachish was “watching for the signals of Lachish… for we cannot see the signals of Azekah.” “Our stomachs churning, we contemplated how the residents of Lachish, looking in vain for the extinguished beacon from the neighboring town, would have realized that the implacable Babylonian army would soon arrive at the walls of their own town, where we now stood” (BAR 27:4:53).

Jer 34:14

EVERY SEVENTH YEAR: KJV has: “at the end of seven years.” That is, ‘at end of 6 years, and the beginning of 7th year’. Cp later part of v: “after he has served you six years.”

Jer 34:18

The covenant God made with Abraham in Gen 15.

Terms of the covenant (vv 18-20): all parties to the covenant must pass between the separated pieces of the sacrificed calf. Evidently, such a practice was common in the Middle East — evidence of such a practice has been found among other peoples of the area, and not just Jews. Two individuals, or two groups, would decide to make a solemn covenant, or contract, with one another; it might be a purely secular matter, having to do with property rights or business arrangements. To confirm the agreement, they would sacrifice an animal, cut the animal in pieces, separate the pieces, and then pass between the parts, or meet in their midst. They would also participate in a common meal of fellowship, each partaking of the animal which they had sacrificed and separated. Thereby they would confirm, by a gesture of great solemnity, their mutual understanding of the terms of their agreement.

They were saying something else as well, something very profound and sobering: if anyone violated the terms of that covenant, then he was deserving of the same fate that had befallen the covenant-victim; he was deserving of death. In fact, he would have already eaten his own condemnation, in the meal itself!

Quite possibly, this is the basis, too, for the oft-repeated and rather enigmatic vow: “The LORD — or God — do so to me, and more also, if…”: Rth 1:17; 1Sa 3:17; 14:44; 20:13; 25:22; 2Sa 19:13; 1Ki 2:23; 2Ki 6:31; etc. May God do WHAT, exactly? The same thing that was done to the covenant-victim!

Likewise, it explains the Hebraism, where “to make a covenant” — as we might put it — is, literally, “to CUT a covenant”!

Also, it may account for the rather gruesome procedure adopted by the Levite, when he cut up his dead concubine into twelve pieces and sent the pieces around to the various tribes (Jdg 19:29)… as well as what Saul did, similarly, with two oxen (1Sa 11:7), and what Samuel did with Agag (1Sa 15:33)… and the words of Jesus in Mat 24:51, where the fate of the unfaithful servant was to be “cut in pieces” or “cut asunder”! Notice also how Isaac and Abimelech (Gen 26:28-31), and Jacob and Laban (Gen 31:44-54) confirm their agreements by a “sacrifice” and a meal.

Jer 35:1

Jer 35: “The Rechabites were a faithful community when the ecclesia in Jerusalem at the time of Jeremiah were unfaithful. They were not true Israelites according to the flesh, but descendants of Heber the Kenite father in law to Moses. Their record is one of service to Yahweh (Jdg 4:11; 5:24; 2Ki 10:15; 1Ch 2:55; Num 10:28-32; Exo 2:16-22; 18:1-27). Though of Gentile extraction, they honoured their father; when Israel did not honour its heavenly Father. Jeremiah records the testimony of this diligent remnant in Jer 35: [1] The Rechabites tried: vv 1-5; [2] The Rechabites remain true to their charge: vv 6-11. [3] Israel contrasted with the Rechabites: vv 12-15; and [4] Israel condemned, and the Rechabites commended: vv 16-19. There are true Rechabites today in those Gentiles who seek the things of Yahweh in spirit and in truth” (GEM).

Jer 35:2

RECABITES: Rechab may have been from one of the Kenite families that came into Palestine with the Israelites (1Ch 2:55). The Kenites were a southern tribe (Gen 15:19); a portion lived among the Jews — including Heber (Jdg 4:11), Jethro or Hobab (Num 20:29-32; Exo 2:16-22; 18:1-27). In the days of the divided kingdom, Rechab determined that it was the Palestinian culture that was the cause of the apostasy and immorality of the people, and commanded his sons to return to the old nomadic way of life in all its simplicity. Jonadab, the leader of the Rechabites in the days of Jehu, assisted that king in his destruction of Baal worship (2Ki 10:15,23). In the days of Jeremiah, the prophet used the Rechabites as an object lesson. He brought them to the house of the Lord and offered them wine. They refused because of their loyalty to their ancestor Rechab and his command. Jeremiah used their faithfulness as a rebuke to the unfaithfulness of Israel to Yahweh.

Jer 35:6

WE DO NOT DRINK WINE: Example of Noah (Gen 9:20-25), Lot (Gen 19:30-38), Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10:8-10).

Jer 35:7

“For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God… All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth” (Heb 11:10,13).

Jer 35:11

They were only in the city at all because of fear of Nebuchadnezzar.

Jer 35:14

THEY OBEY THEIR FOREFATHER’S COMMAND: Although he had been dead over 200 years, the Recabites still obey the command of their father. And they will be rewarded (v 19)… even though he was an imperfect father!

BUT YOU HAVE NOT PAID ATTENTION OR LISTENED TO ME: But Israel, with a perfect Father, disobey… and will be punished (v 17).

“The words of a man are obeyed; the words of God are disregarded. This is the central argument of the incident. This is God’s complaint to the house of Israel by Jeremiah. And is it not a reasonable complaint? Whose words ought to be obeyed, if not the words of ‘the High and Lofty One, inhabiting Eternity’? Is it not a complaint that might with peculiar force be addressed to this age of the world? The commandments and ordinances of men are submitted to in all the ways of life, but the commandments of God have ceased even to be an intelligible idea, let alone a practical power, in the habitations of men. Yea, it may be said that the spirit of obedience in any direction is more and more on the wane. If man’s commands are obeyed, it is not from the spirit of obedience, but in the spirit of fear of consequences. Human law would soon be a dead letter, if it were not for the handcuffs of the police and the powder and shot of the military. Yet the spirit of obedience is the noblest spirit under the sun. It was the departure from it in the beginning that led to the world’s woes; it is the return to it that will be the salvation of men. ‘By one man’s disobedience many were made sinners; so be the obedience of one [man] shall many be made righteous (or obedient)’ [Rom 5:19]” (FSC 209,210).

Jer 35:15

Jonadab had died, and thus cannot be grieved by their disobedience. but Yahweh IS grieved. Jonadab could send no messengers, but Yahweh continues to send Israel more messengers.

Jer 35:19

JONADAB SON OF RECAB WILL NEVER FAIL TO HAVE A MAN: Rabbi Judah is said to have recorded that Rechabite daughters married Levites and thus the promise was fulfilled. Hegesippus said that “Rechabite priests” interceded for James, the brother of Christ, but failed to save his life (Eus 2:23). Or, alternatively, in Kingdom, immortal Recabites receiving their inheritance along with David (Jer 33:17,18).

TO SERVE ME: “To stand before me” (AV). The term implies attendance upon royalty as a follower — which requires the presence of the Prince when, at last, the fulfilment of the parable will be completed. Cp Gen 18:22; 19:17; Psa 122:2; Deu 4:10; 5:5; Jer 15:1. God promises to heal Israel: Jer 30:17,18; Hos 14:4,5; Jer 3:22.

Jer 30:1

Jer 30-33: “When Jeremiah was first given his commission as a prophet of the LORD (Jer 1:10), his work was described in four infinitives of retribution and two of blessing. Through most of his days it had fallen to him to rebuke and denounce and threaten. But when the final climax of suffering came on Jerusalem, his message changed to one of comfort. When God’s people were at the very limit of affliction and misery, he held out before them not only the prospect but the promise of a New Covenant with their God.

“The details of this New Covenant occupy four of the most wonderful chapters in the OT [Jer 30-33]. They are available today for the reassurance of faith because God specifically charged Jeremiah to ‘write all the words in a book’ (Jer 30:2).

“The message begins with the picture of ‘the time of Jacob’s trouble’. Appropriate enough to the horrors of his own day, it actually describes the climax of tribulation which is yet to come upon the people of Israel before the Messiah is revealed. ‘But he shall be saved out of it’ — in Heb the words sound wonderfully like: ‘But out of it… Jesus!’ (Jer 30:7)” (WJer 207,208).

Jer 30:7

“There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then” (Dan 12:1).

TROUBLE: Heb “tsarah”: sw Gen 32:7; Gen 42:21.

BUT HE WILL BE SAVED OUT OF IT: Or, ‘out of it shall come… Joshua/Jesus!’

Jer 30:10

The Jews, God’s special people: Deu 7:6. Never to be destroyed throughout history: Lev 26:44,45… although their enemies cease to exist: Isa 43:9-12. As promised to king David: 2Sa 7:10; Luk 1:68-75; Rom 11:25-32.

Jer 30:11

Israel to be preserved: Amo 9:8,9. Nations which once dominated Israel have vanished: ie, Babylon (Isa 13:19-22; Jer 51:24-26); Tyre (Eze 27:34-36; 28:18,19).

Jer 30:12

Israel’s sins like incurable disease: Jer 30:15; 15:18; Mic 1:9.

Jer 30:14

Israel as adulterous wife to be reconciled to God: Hos 3; Jer 3:1,14.

Jer 30:17

Israel to be cleansed and morally forgiven: Jer 33:6-8.

Jer 31:1

Jer 31: “Jeremiah must have rejoiced to deliver the prophecy of Jer 31. It demonstrates that though Jewry would receive divine punishments for their good, the nation will ultimately be saved. The apostle Paul similarly argues in Rom 11. So Israel will be: [1] Saved out of the wilderness: vv 1-9, brought back from dispersion into which for centuries the nation has languished. [2] All nations will be caused to witness Israel’s redemption: vv 10-14. As the restoration includes the re-establishment of the great temple of Zion, more glorious than any former temple (Hag 2; Jer 30:18-22), so the joyous worship therein will includes all nations. Gentiles will see the goodness of Yahweh to His ancient people, and shall rejoice together in divine worship. [3] Rachel’s weeping shall cease: vv 15-17. The birth of Benjamin brought the weeping of Rachel, as typical of the birth of the Lord Jesus. In the coming birth of the nation there will be weeping; but in the end there will be comfort. [4] Ephraim’s confession of unfruitfulness and determination to change: vv 18-21. There will be a national acknowledgement and confession of sin, which leads to repentance and acceptance. [5] Great changes in Zion: vv 22-26. [6] Yahweh vindicated: vv 27-30. [7] The Kingdom Covenant: vv 31-34. [8] The divine guarantee of fulfilment: vv 35-37. [9] The glorious city of the future: vv 38-46” (GEM).

Jer 31:4

Examples of personification: riches (Mat 6:24); sin (Joh 8:34; Rom 5:21; 6:16); spirit (Joh 16:13); wisdom (Pro 3:13-15; 9:1); Israel (Jer 31:4,18); people of Christ (Eph 4:4,13; 5:23; Rev 19:7; 1Co 12:27; 2Co 11:2; Col 1:18,24).

Jer 31:7

Vv 7-9: Cp Gen 31: Jacob leaving Laban: “blind” = Leah (Gen 29:17), “lame” = Jacob (Gen 32:31), “expectant mothers” = Leah, “women in labor” = Rachel, “weeping… praying” = Jacob with angel (cp Hos 12:4), “streams of water” = Jabbok, and “stumble” = Jacob’s lameness.

Jer 31:15

RAMAH: Near Bethlehem in Benjamin (see Mat 2:18). One mile north of Bethlehem (WGos 39).

RACHEL: Daughter of Laban, wife of Jacob, mother of Joseph, grandmother of Ephraim.

REFUSING TO BE COMFORTED: As Jacob refused to be comforted: Gen 37:35. Cp Jer 31:9,18: “Benoni” = son of sorrow.

Jer 31:16

THEY WILL RETURN FROM THE LAND OF THE ENEMY: Jesus did this (cp v 22). Through him, many others will so “return”. Cp vv 7-12: Jacob’s family returning to land of promise. Cp also Eze 37.

THE LAND OF THE ENEMY: Babylon (cp v 17), or all nations. These are not children returning from the dead — as JWs teach: cp 2Sa 12:22,23 with Act 2:34; Job 3:11-13; 10:18,19.

Jer 31:21

ROAD SIGNS… GUIDEPOSTS: The heap of witness: Gen 31:45,47,53.

Jer 31:22

The first woman — Isha — came out of man — Ish. Here, however, man comes out of woman. Different words are used, however: “woman” = Heb “neqebah”; “man” = Heb “gibbor”: the hero, or mighty man!

The Virgin Birth in the OT: Psa 71:6; 89:26,27; 110:3, LXX; Gen 3:15; 49:1,25; Isa 7:14; 49:1; Jer 31:22; Mic 5:1,2; 2Sa 7:14.

Jer 31:25

// Mat 5:6; Luk 6:21,25.

Jer 31:31

The Abrahamic covenant, “new” because not in force until confirmed by death of Jesus: Rom 15:8; Heb 12:24.

Jer 31:32

The Sabbath Law, part of the Old (Sinaitic) Covenant: Exo 34:27,28; 25:16,21. The Old Covenant, with all that is fundamental to it, was abolished in Christ, “the end of the law” (Rom 10:4), and replaced with a new covenant: Heb 8:6-13.

Jer 31:33

Written in “fleshly tables of the heart: 2Co 3:3. “Inwardly” Jews: Rom 3:28,29. “My people”, though formerly alienated by wicked works, but now restored: Hos 1:10,11.

“There is a repeated theme that Israel’s entry into the New Covenant will be associated with God doing something to their hearts, confirming their own change of mind. In other words, the covenant is largely a matter of the mind. This new state of mind is in fact fundamentally part of being in covenant relationship with God… This leads us to the paramount need for us to develop genuine spiritual mindedness, the thinking, the breathing of God’s Spirit in our minds. So God will act upon Israel’s heart directly, using the medium of His word to do so. The initiative is God’s; He will write His word upon their hearts. He is not passively offering people the opportunity to do it to themselves; He will do it to Israel. The same heart-swap operation is described in Eze 36:25,26: ‘Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness… will I cleanse you (cp our baptism into the new covenant). A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you… I will put my spirit within you (note the double emphasis), and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.’ Being in the new covenant is therefore characterized by having a new spirit, a new mind, and therefore a new way of life. And so Heb 10:20 calls the new covenant ‘a new and living way’, a new, living way of life. Jer 31:33 said that God would place His laws in Israel’s heart; in Eze 36 we read that He will place His Spirit in their hearts. So the way in which God will give Israel a new heart will be through their response to the word” (BB).

Jer 31:34

Pastors and teachers given to Israel in future age: Jer 3:14,15; 23:3,4; Isa 30:19-21; 54:13. Christ to be revealed to Israel: Zec 12:10 (next). Forgiveness not possible under the first covenant: Heb 10:1-4; Rom 3:20; Gal 2:16; 3:10-12.

The sins of God’s people: “Covered” (Psa 32:1), “Removed” (Psa 103:12), “Cast behind God’s back” (Isa 38:17), “Blotted out” (Psa 51:1; Isa 44:22), “Washed away” (Psa 51:2,7), “Remembered no more” (Jer 31:34), “Sought for but not found” (Jer 50:20), “Cast into the depths of the sea” (Mic 7:19).

Jer 31:35

SUN… MOON… STARS: Related to Israel in Jer 33:25,26. Cp Luk 21:25,26.

WHO STIRS UP THE SEA SO THAT ITS WAVES ROAR: Yahweh’s control of the waters at creation — a commentary on the Canaanite “sea chaos” myth: see Lesson, Leviathan — esp the “Creation”.

Jer 31:36

The heavenly bodies sym Israel, never to cease in God’s purpose. Cp sun, moon, and stars in Joseph’s dream: Gen 37:9,10. Also cp Joel 2:10,31; 3:15.

Jer 32:1

Jer 32: “Only a few months remain for Jerusalem before the thunder of the Babylonian cavalry will be heard, and the crash of falling bricks will signal the commencement of the captivity. Most of the inhabitants had resigned themselves to their fate, and expressed anger against Jeremiah because of his constant prophecies and warnings. The events of this chapter follow those of Jer 37:21. Jeremiah had sought his liberty. The king Zedekiah had taken him from out of the dungeon, but had imprisoned him in the course of the palace prison-house, not so severe a restraint. Then occurred a most unusual incident, which demonstrated Jeremiah’s hope beyond the captivity of Babylon! He purchased the field of Hanameel (vv 6-12), in spite of his own words that Jerusalem would pass into the house of the oppressing Gentile. He sought an inheritance in Yahweh’s land — a realization that yet remains for a future time. Jeremiah witnessed for the future (vv 13-15), he prayed for further enlightenment (vv 16-25). Yahweh replied, ‘Behold the severity’ (vv 26-35), and spoke concerning: ‘Behold the goodness’ (vv 36-44). Despite terrible sins, gross ingratitude, shocking perversion of Truth, Yahweh remembers His covenant and will restore His people — a fact that permits every son and daughter of Yahweh to take comfort in their shortcomings, to seek His mercy and to trust in His promises” (GEM).

Jer 32:7

AS NEAREST RELATIVE: Jeremiah’s older brother Azariah (1Ch 6:13,14) must have died by this time.

Jer 32:11

SEALED COPY… UNSEALED COPY: One for public, and one for private use.

Jer 32:12

BARUCH: A friend of Jeremiah (Jer 36:26), who wrote (Jer 36:1-8) and read (Jer 36:10) Jeremiah’s prophecy; he was taken to Egypt with Jeremiah (Jer 43:1-7).

Jer 32:17

“At the very time when the Chaldeans surrounded Jerusalem, and when the sword, famine and pestilence had desolated the land, Jeremiah was commanded by God to purchase a field, and have the deed of transfer legally sealed and witnessed. This was a strange purchase for a rational man to make. Prudence could not justify it, for it was buying with scarcely a probability that the person purchasing could ever enjoy the possession. But it was enough for Jeremiah that his God had bidden him, for well he knew that God will be justified of all His children… This gave a majesty to the early saints, that they dared to do at God’s command things which carnal reason would condemn. Whether it be a Noah who is to build a ship on dry land, an Abraham who is to offer up his only son, or a Moses who is to despise the treasures of Egypt, or a Joshua who is to besiege Jericho seven days, using no weapons but the blasts of rams’ horns, they all act upon God’s command, contrary to the dictates of carnal reason; and the Lord gives them a rich reward as the result of their obedient faith. Would to God we had in the religion of these modern times a more potent infusion of this heroic faith in God. If we would venture more upon the naked promise of God, we should enter a world of wonders to which as yet we are strangers. Let Jeremiah’s place of confidence be ours — nothing is too hard for the God that created the heavens and the earth” (CHS).

Jer 28:1

Jer 28: “It is inevitable that faithful servants of the Deity will be challenged by those of a different persuasion. It has always been since Cain killed Abel. Jeremiah experienced similar things, when his prophecy was challenged by a foremost member of the order: Hananiah. The name Hananiah means ‘Yah is gracious’, but his opposition to Jeremiah indicated a perversion of the meaning of the name. It was a sad moment for the remnant in Jerusalem, as this leader stood against the prophet. So the record presents: [1] Hananiah’s false prophecy: vv 1-4. The encounter dramatically took place in the temple before a large concourse of people. [2] Jeremiah’s spirited reply: Time will test the matter: vv 5-9. [3] Hananiah’s symbolic action, in breaking the wooden yoke: vv 10,11. [4] An answer: Wooden yokes would be replaced with iron: vv 12-14. Hananiah’s false teaching would cause an attitude of mind among the people as to bring upon them even more severe punishments. That results from the dissemination of false teaching in every age. [5] Hananiah’s death is predicted: vv 15-17. He had accepted the test of Deu 18:22, and imposed a short time limit. It is taken up by Jeremiah who frankly states that Hananiah is a false prophet and would die as such within the space of a few months. And so it came to pass. Significantly, he died in the very month of Atonement. His sins were not forgiven, as he spoke blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” (GEM).

Jer 28:13

Vv 13,14: The Jews might throw off the wooden yoke, but they would not be benefited by the change; in fact, much the reverse! There is a general principle here. Whenever men say of God and His Anointed, “Let us break their chains… and throw off their fetters” (Psa 2:3), they may do so if they please; but instead of the yokes of wood they will be sure to get yokes of iron. If they will not submit to the government of Christ, they will have to submit to the tyranny of Sin (Rom 6:16,17,20,23). All men have to wear some yoke, and serve some master, and if they reject the easy yoke of Christ (Mat 11:30), then there will be made for them yokes of iron, which they shall neither be able to bear nor cast off.

Jer 28:17

IN THE SEVENTH MONTH: 2 months after v 1.

Jer 29:1

Jer 29: “It was important that a message be received by the exiles taken to Babylon in the captivity of Jehoichin, so that they might understand the true nature of their circumstances. Those exiles were in a similar position to the believers of today — separated from their true homeland, and dwelling in the country of the Gentiles. Many might have considered that the day of release was at hand, and keenly anticipated a return to Jerusalem. But Jeremiah’s letter confirmed that the desolation of Jerusalem would continue for a long period. Many of the captives would not see the return, though the following generation would. It is therefore an important communication, similar to that of the apostle Paul to the Thessalonians (2Th 2). Jeremiah first outlines: [1] An introduction: vv 1-3. Then an appeal: [2] “Seek the peace of Babylon, for the captivity will be long”: vv 4-7. A warning: [3] Be not deluded by false prophets: vv 8,9. An exposition: [4] In Yahweh’s love the captivity is limited to seventy years: vv 10-14. A comment about the signs of the times: [5] Further trouble impending for Jerusalem: vv 15-19. A second letter: [6] Denunciation against Ahab and Zedekiah: vv 20-23. [7] Indictment against Shemaiah: vv 24-29. [8] Fate of the apostate Shemaiah: vv 30-32.

The 70 years captivity involved 3 ‘captivities’ by Nebuchadnezzar. In Jer 25:11 it is apparently dated from the servitude in the 4th year of Jehoiakim, being the 1st year of Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 25:1). The captivity is dated by Ezekiel as commencing in the 8th year of Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 1:1-2). The desolation commenced with the invasion and destruction of the temple in 18th year of Nebuchadnezzar (2Ch 36:21)” (GEM).

Jer 29:10

See Lesson, 70 years captivity.

Jer 29:11

PROSPER: Heb “shalom”.

Jer 29:13

WITH ALL YOUR HEART: See Lesson, Prov and the heart.