Gracious promises B. C. cir. 587. JEREMIAH. A. M. cir. 3417. the captivity of my people Israel | strangers shall no and Judah, saith the LORD: and themselves of him. Ol. XLVIII. 2. Tarquinii Prisci, R. Roman., cir. annum 30. I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. с 4 And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. 5 For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. 6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all-faces are turned into paleness? 7 f Alas! for that day is great, & so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. e 8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and b Chap. xvi. 15.- C Or, there is fear, and not peace. d Heb. a male. e Chap. iv. 31; vi. 24.- Joel ii. 11, 31; Amos v. 18; Zeph. i. 14, &c.- Dan. xii. 1. Isa. lv. 3, 4; Ezek. xxxiv. 23; xxxvii. 24; Hos. iii. 5. the most natural, they will refer to the same events, one captivity shadowing forth another, and one restoration being the type or pledge of the second. Verse 2: Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.] The book here recommended I believe to be the thirtieth and thirty-first chapters; for among the Hebrews any portion of writing, in which the subject was finished, however small, was termed DD sephèr, a. BOOK, a treatise or dis course. Verse 3. The days come] First, After the conclusion of the seventy years. Secondly, Under the Messiah. That I will bring again the captivity of Israel] The ten tribes, led captive by the king of Assyria, and dispersed among the nations. And Judah] The people carried into Babylon at two different times; first, under Jeconiah, and, secondly, under Zedekiah, by Nebuchadnezzar. Verse 5. We have heard a voice of trembling] This may refer to the state and feelings of the people during the war which Cyrus carried on against the Babylonians. Trembling and terror would no doubt affect them, and put an end to peace and all prosperity; as they could not tell what would be the issue of the struggle, and whether their state would be better or worse should their present masters fall in the conflict. This is well described in the next verse, where men are represented as being, through pain and anguish, like women in travail. See the same comparison Isa. xiii. 6-8. Verse 7. Alas! for that day is great] When the Medes and Persians, with all their forces shall come on the Chaldeans, it will be the day of Jacob's trouble -trial, dismay, and uncertainty; but he shall be delivered out of it-the Chaldean empire shall fall, but h of restoration. more serve A. M. cir. 3417. B. C. cir. 587. Ol. XLVIII. 2. Tarquinii Prisci, R. Roman., cir. annum 30. 9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their King, whom I will raise up unto them. 10 Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed 1 from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid. 11 For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: " though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished. 12 For thus saith the LORD, PThy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous. i Luke i. 69; Acts ii. 30; xiii. 23.- Isa. xli. 13; xliii. 5; xliv. 2; chap. xlvi. 27, 28.- Chap. iii. 18.- m Amos ix. 8. Chap. iv. 27.- a Psa. vi. 1; Isa. xxvii. 8; chap. x. 24; xlvi. -P2 Chron. xxxvi. 16; chap. xv. 18. D 28. the Jews shall be delivered by Cyrus. Jerusalem shall be destroyed by the Romans, but the Israel of God shall be delivered from its ruin. Not one that had embraced Christianity perished in the sackage of that city. Verse 8. I will break his yoke] That is, the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar. Of him.] Of Jacob, (ver. 7,) viz., the then captive Jews. Verse 9. But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their King] This must refer to the times of the Messiah; and hence the Chaldee has, " They וישת מאון למשיחה בר דוד,shall obey the Lord their God veyishta meun limshicha bar David, and they shall obey the Messiah, the Son of David." This is a very remarkable version; and shows that it was a version, not according to the letter, but according to their doctrine and their expectation. David was long since dead; and none of his descendants ever reigned over them after the Babylonish captivity, nor have they since been a regal nation. Zerubbabel, under the Persians, and the Asmoneans, can be no exception to this. They have been no nation since; they are no nation now; and it is only in the latter days that they can expect to be a nation, and that must be a Christian nation. Christ is promised under the name of his progenitor, David, Isa. lv. 3, 4; Ezek. xxxiv. 23, 24, xxxvii. 24, 25; Hos. iii. 5. Verse 11. Though I make a full end of all nations] Though the Persians destroy the nations whom they vanquish, yet they shall not destroy thee. Verse 12. Thy bruise is incurable] I anush, desperate, not incurable; for the cure is promised in ver. 17, I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds. The great blessings A. M. cir. 3417. 13 There is none to plead thy the palace shall remain after the 4. M. cir. 3417. bound up: ing medicines. 14 All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement " of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased. с pro B. C. cir. 587. Ol. XLVIII. 2. Tarquinii Prisci, R. Roman., cir. annum 30. 19 And out of them shall ceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: 4 and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small. 20 Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them. 21 And their nobles shall be of themselves, proceed from the 15 Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy 16 Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey. 17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom nò man seeketh after. 18 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwelling-places; and the city shall be builded upon her own "heap, and Verse 13. There is none to plead thy cause] All thy friends and allies have forsaken thee, 24 The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: min the latter days ye shall consider it. c Isa. xxxv. 10; li. 11; chap. xxxi. 4, 12, 13; xxxiii. 10, 11. dZech. x. 8.- e Isa. i. 26.- Gen. xlix. 10. -g Num. xvi. 5.. Chap. xxiv. 7; xxxi. 1, 33; xxxii. 39; Ezek. xi. 20; xxxvi. 28; xxxvii. 27.- Chap. xxiii. 19, 20; xxv. 32.- -k Heb. cutting. 1 Or, remain. m Gen. xlix. 1. I will also glorify them] I will put honour upor them every where, so that they shall be no longer con Verse 15. Thy sorrow is incurable] VIN anush temptible. This will be a very great change, for they desperate. See ver. 12. Verse 16. They that devour thee] The Chaldeans, Shall be devoured] By the Medes and Persians. All that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.] The Assyrians were destroyed by the Babylonians; the Babylonians, by the Medes and Persians; the Egyptians and Persians were destroyed by the Greeks, under Alexander. All these nations are now extinct; but the Jews, as a distinct people, still exist. Verse 18. The city shall be builded upon her own heap] Be re-edified from its own ruins. See the book of Nehemiah, passim. And the palace shall remain] Meaning, the king's house shall be restored; or, more probably, the temple shall be rebuilt; which was true, for after the Babylonish captivity it was rebuilt by Nehemiah, &c. By the tents, distinguished from the dwelling-places of Jacob, we may understand all the minor dispersions of the Jews, as well as those numerous synagogues found in large cities. Verse 19. I will multiply them] They shall be very numerous; even where at present they have but tents. are now despised all over the earth. Verse 20. Their children also] They shall have the education of their own children as formerly. And their congregation] Their religious assemblies. Shall be established] Being, in the latter days, incorporated with those "who serve the Lord their God, and worship the Messiah, the son of David." Verse 21. Their nobles shall be of themselves] Strangers shall not rule over them; and— Their governor shall proceed from the midst of them] Both Nehemiah and Zerubbabel, their nobles and governors after the return from Babylon, were Jews. Verse 22. Ye shall be my people] The old covenant shall be renewed. Verse 23. The whirlwind of the Lord] A grievous tempest of desolation,— Shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.] On Nebuchadnezzar and the Chaldeans. Verse 24. In the latter days ye shall consider it.] By the latter days the Gospel dispensation is generally meant; and that restoration which is the principal topic The restoration of JEREMIAH. Israel promised. in this and the succeeding chapter refers to this time. | of the Gospel, and saved from the maledictions under Had the Jews properly considered this subject, they which they now groan. Why do not the Jews read would long ere this have been brought into the liberty their own prophets more conscientiously? CHAPTER XXXI. This chapter continues the subject of the preceding in a beautiful vision represented at a distant period. God is introduced expressing his continual regard for Israel, and promising to restore them to their land and liberty, 1-5. Immediately heralds appear, proclaiming on Mount Ephraim the arrival of the great year of jubilee, and summoning the people to gather unto Zion, 6. Upon which God resumes the speech; and makes such gracious promises both of leading them tenderly by the way, and making them happy in their own land, that all the nations of the world are called upon to consider with deep attention this great salvation, 7-14. The scene is then diversified by a very happy invention. Rachel, the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, is represented as risen from her tomb, in a city of Benjamin near Jerusalem, looking about for her children, and bitterly lamenting their fate, as none of them are to be seen in the land of their fathers, 15. But she is consoled with the assurance that they are not lost, and that they shall in due time be restored, 16, 17. To this another tender and beautiful scene immediately succeeds. Ephraim, (often put for the TEN tribes,) comes in view. He laments his past errors, and expresses the most earnest desires of reconciliation; upon which God, as a tender parent, immediately forgives him, 18-20. The virgin of Israel is then directed to prepare for returning home, 21, 22; and the vision closes with a promise of abundant peace and security to Israel and Judah in the latter days, 23-26. The blessed condition of Israel under the Messiah's reign is then beautifully contrasted. with their afflicted state during the general dispersion, 27, 28. In the remaining part of the chapter the promises to the posterity of Jacob of the impartial administration of justice, increasing peace and prosperity, the universal diffusion of righteousness, and stability in their own land after a general restoration in Gospel times, are repeated, enlarged on, and illustrated by a variety of beautiful figures, 29-40. NOTES ON CHAP. XXXI. Dr. Blayney has introduced this and the preceding chapter with the following excellent observations: "There are many prophecies," says he, "in various parts of the Old Testament, which announce the future restoration of Israel to their own land, and the complete re-establishment of both their civil and religious constitution in the latter days, meaning the times of the Gospel dispensation. These two chapters contain a prophecy of this kind; which must necessarily be referred to these times, because it points out circumstances which certainly were not fulfilled at the return of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity, nor have hitherto had their completion. For the people who returned from Babylon were the people of Judah only, who had been carried away captive by Nebuchadnezzar; but here it is foretold, that not only should the captivity of Judah be restored, but the captivity of Israel also, meaning those ten tribes which were carried away before, by Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and who still remain in their several dispersions, having never returned, in a national capacity at least, to their own land, whatever some few individuals have done. But the terms of the prophecy entitle us to expect, not an obscure and partial, but a complete and universal, restoration; when God will manifest himself, as formerly, the God and Patron of all the families of Israel, and not of a few only. Again it is promised that, after this restoration, they should no more fall under the dominion of foreigners, but be governed by princes and magistrates of their own nation, independently of any but God, and David their king. But this was not the case with the Jews who returned from Babylon. They then indeed had a leader, Zerubbabel, one of their own nation, and also of the family of David; but both the nation and their leader continued still in a state of vassalage, and the most servile dependence upon the Persian monarchy. And when the Grecian monarchy succeeded, they changed their masters only, but not their condition; till at length under the Asmonean princes they had for a while an independent government of their own, but without any title to the name of' David. At last they fell under the Roman yoke; since which time their situation has been such as not to afford the least ground to pretend that the promised restoration has yet taken place. It remains therefore to be brought about in future under the reign of the Messiah, emphatically distinguished by the name of David; when every particular circumstance predicted concerning it will no doubt be verified by a distinct and unequivocal accomplishment. There is no particular date annexed to this prophecy, whereby to ascertain the precise time of its delivery. But it may not unreasonably be presumed to have followed immediately after the preceding one, in which the restoration of the people from their Babylonish captivity is in A. M. cir. 3417. when I went to cause him to I have loved B. C. cir. 587. cir. annum 30. rest. of Israel promised. an thee with f * Num. x. 33; Deut. i. 33; Psa. xcv. 11; Isa. lxiii. 14.- d Heb. fRom. xi. 28, 29.- direct terms foretold. From hence the transition is A. M. cir. 3417. Ol. XLVIII. 2. R. Roman., cir. annum 30. Or, have I extended loving-kindness unto thee. h Hos. xi. 4. and two new personages are successively introduced, in order to diversify the same subject, and to impress it more strongly. Rachel first; who is represented as just risen from the grave, and bitterly bewailing the loss of her children; for whom she anxiously looks about, but none are to be seen. Her tears are dried up; and she is consoled with the assurance that they are not lost for ever, but shall in time be brought back to their ancient borders, ver. 15-17. Ephraim comes next. He laments his past undutifulness with great contrition and penitence, and professes an earnest desire of amendment. These symptoms of returning duty are no sooner discerned in him, than God acknowledges him once more as a darling child, and resolves with mercy to receive him, ver. 18-20. The virgin of Israel is then carnestly exhorted to hasten the preparations for their return; and encouraged with having the prospect of a signal miracle wrought in her favour, ver. 21, 22. And the vision closes at last with a promise that the Divine blessing should again rest upon the land of Judah; and that the men of Judah should once more dwell there, eultivating it according to the simplicity of ancient institutions, and fully discharged from every want, ver. 23-26. In the third part, by way of appendix to the vision, the following gracious promises are specifically annexed: That God would in time to come supply all the deficiencies of Israel and Judah; and would be as diligent to restore as he had ever been to destroy them; and would not any more visit the offences of the fathers upon the children, ver. 27-30. That he would make with them a better covenant than he had made with their forefathers, ver. 31-34. That they should continue his people by an ordinance as firm and as lasting as that of the heavens, ver. 35-37. And that Jerusalem should again be built, enlarged in its extent, and secure from future desolation, ver. 38-40." Verse 1. At the same time] This discourse was delivered at the same time with the former; and, with that, constitutes the Book which God ordered the prophet to write. Will I be the God of all the families of Israel] I shall bring back the ten tribes, as well as their brethren the Jews. The restoration of the Israelites is the principal subject of this chapter. Verse 2. The people which were left of the sword] Those of the ten tribes that had escaped death by the sword of the Assyrians. Found grace in the wilderness] The place of their exile; a wilderness, compared to their own land.Dahler. See Isa. xl. 3. Verse 3. I have loved thee with an everlasting love] Thans ohy nans veahabath olam ahabtich, "and with the old love I have loved thee." "Also, with a love of long standing have I loved thee."-Blayney. "But I love thee always."-Dahler. I still bear to The restoration A. M. cir. 3417. B. C. cir. 587. Ol. XLVIII. 2. Tarquinii Prisci, R. Roman., 4 Again, I will build thee, and | LORD, save thy people, the remthou shalt be built, O virgin of nant of Israel. Israel thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and go forth in the dances of them that make cir. annum 30. shalt merry. 5 m Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things. 6 For there shall be a day, that the watch-t men upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, • Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God. D -k Exod. xv. 20; Judg. xi. 34; Psa. cxlix. 3. Isa. lxv. 21; Amos ix. 14.- Heb. profane Isa. ii. 3; Mic. iv. 2.- -P Isa. xxviii. 30. 7 For thus saith the LORD; PSing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O iChap. xxxiii. 7.1 Or, timbrels. them; Deut. xx. 6; xii. 5, 6. the Jewish people that love which I showed to their fathers in Egypt, in the wilderness, and in the promised land. Can it be supposed, by any person seriously considering the context, that these words are spoken of God's decree of election in behalf of the Jews. Those who make it such, act most injudiciously on their own principle; for, how 'few of the Jews have ever given evidence that they were the children of God, from their restoration from Babylon to the present day! The words refer simply to their state as a people, most wondrously preserved by the providence and mercy of God, as a standing proof of the Divine authority of the Scriptures, and as an evidence of God's displeasure against sin. Therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.] "Therefore have I lengthened out mercy to thee."Blayney. C'est pourquoi je t'ai conservé ma grace.-Dahler. "Therefore I have preserved my grace to thee." The exiles, who had not for a long time received any proofs of the Divine protection, are represented as deploring their state; but God answers, that though this may seem to be the case, he has always loved them; and this continued love he will show by bringing them out of their captivity. However creeds may fare, this is the sense of the passage; all the context proves this. Verse 4. Ovirgin of Israel] Israelites in general; now called virgin, because restored to their ancient purity. With thy tabrets] Women in general played on these; they were used in times of rejoicing, and accompanied with dancing. To these customs, still preserved, the prophet alludes. 8 Behold, I will bring them a from the north country, and 8 A. M. cir. 3417 B. C. cir. 587. OI. XLVIII. 2. Tarquinii Prisci, R. Roman., cir. annum 30. gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither. 9 They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first-born. u first three years it was considered uncircumcised, unclean, not fit to be eaten; in the fourth year it was holy to the Lord, the fruit belonged to Him; in the fifth year he might use it for himself, Lev. xix. 23–25, But in the time here mentioned the fruit should be considered common-lawful at all times to be eaten. Verse 6. For there shall be a day] Literally, for this is the day, or the day is come. The watchmen the prophets. Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion] Let both Israelites and Jews join together in the worship of the Lord. Verse 7. The chief of the nations] The same as Jacob or Israel; for most certainly this people was once the most honourable on the face of the earth. O Lord, save thy people] Let the Jews earnestly intercede in behalf of their Israelitish brethren; or let them rejoice and praise the Lord, who hath saved the remnant of Israel. So Dr. Blayney thinks the clause should be understood. Verse 8. I will bring them from the north country] From Babylon. From the coasts of the earth] The ten tribes were carried away partly into Assyria by Tiglath-pileser, and partly into Mesopotamia and Media by Shalmaneser, 2 Kings xv. 29; xvii. 6. Assyria and Media, being very distant from Palestine, might have been called, in prophetic language, the coasts of the earth. The blind and the lame] I will so effectually remove all difficulties out of the way, so provide for them on the journey, so supernaturally support their bodies and minds, that the veriest invalids shall safely proceed to, and happily arrive at, the end of their journey. Verse 9. They shall come with weeping] Duly peVerse 5. Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the moun-netrated with a sense of their sins, they shall deeply tains of Samaria] This was the regal city of the deplore them; and, while weeping for them, earnestly Israelites, as Jerusalem was of the Jews. supplicate God to have mercy upon them. Shall eat them as common things.] By the law of Moses no man was permitted to eat of the fruit of his vineyard till the fifth year after planting. For the By the rivers of waters] I will so guide and provide for them in the arid deserts, that they shall find streams of water whenever necessary. Every one |