The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 14

Ver. 5.-Predestination. I. CoNSIDEB THE CHARACTERISTIOS OF A DIVINE PRE- DESTINATION. 1. This implies (1) foreknowledge-God has his idea about a man and his mission before he forms the initial germ of his life ; (2) a sanctifying, or setting apart, by which the man is considered by God in relation to his destined mission, and treated accordingly; and (3) a preordination, a Divine action in accordance with the Divine idea and purpose which tends to carry these into effect. Every life is prophesied in the mind of God. by God's thought of it, and comes into the world girded with Di vine pur-· poses, wrapped up and drawn onwards by the unseen threads of the designs of God. 2. This predestination does not involve fatalism; it is consistent with human freedom of action and personal responsibility. On the one hand we must conclude, from it..q existence, that _there are certain possibilities with which God endows a man, and certain limits with which God bas hedged him about. But on the other band, we must recognize that it depends on the man's own will and effort whether be use those possi- bilities, and attain to the end enclosed within those limits. He has a Divine vocation, but he may neglect it; he may fail in realizing God's idea of his life. There rests on him the responsibility of accomplishing his destiny. II. CONSIDER THE GllOUNDS FOR BELIEF IN A DIVINE PREDESTINATI0:;1. 1. It is re- vealed in Scripture (e.g. Acts ii. 23; Rom. viii. 29; 1 Pet. i. 2). 2. It is involved in the idea of the providence of a supreme God. God foresees all the future; in every act of his air other events and their. relation to this must be present to the mind of God. With such knowledge a universal control of events, such as is implied by a providence not interfering 'from without now and again at critical moments, but immanent in the whole course of the world, must imply a Divine preordination. 3. It is proved to us by experience. (1) We are born with certain peculiarities, faculties, powers, tendencies. The prophet, like the poet, nascitur, non fit. (2) The external circumstances of life are largely beyond our control. The child cannot determine the sphere of life into which it is to enter at birth. All the opportunities and duties which result from these circum- stances are made for us, not by us. They bring a mission and open up a career, by chance if there be no providence, but by preordination if there be a providence. III. CONSIDER Tm; PURPOSE OF A DIVINE PREDESTINATION. 1. It must often be mysterious. Until we review life as a whole we shall not be able to interpret the meaning of its several parts. We cannot judge of the architect's design by examining the separate stones which lie scattered in the builder's yard. But: 2. It is not arbitrary. The very idea of destiny as determined by a Being of infinite thought implies purpose based on reason. God would not determine events simply to manifest his unfettered rights of sovereignty. Such aimless caprice could only emanate from a senseless despot. 3. It is turned to a good purpose. This must be so, for if God is good his designs must be good. The predestination is (1) for the good of the agent, who is blessed by being selected for Divine service ; and (2) for the good of the world. 'l'he elect are chosen instruments for benefiting the whole world. 'l'hus Jeremiah was destined to be "a prophet unto the nations." The Jew was an elect people that he might be the channel of blessing to all mankind (Gen. xii. 3; Hom. iii. 2). The Christian is a chosen vessel that he may carry grace to others, and serve as the salt of the earth, as the light of the world. IV. CoNSIDER THE PRACTIOAL EFFECT OF THE DOCTRINE OF PREDESTINATION. It con- tains no excu&e for indolence and no reason for despair, for God fits all of us for some service, the accomplishment of which depends on our own faithfulness. 1. It should lead us to inquire what is God's will, rather than to carve out a career for ourselves. 2. It should make us humble, submissive, obedient, and diligent in service, since there is o. Divine idea. of our life which God expects us to realize. 3. It should inspire courage in the midst of difficulties. Jeremiah was brave in the thought that be was fulfilling o. Divine destiny. Such a thought inspires energy in face of enmity, contempt, isolation, and apparent failure. Vere. 6-9.-Diffidence overcome. I. DIFFIDENCE IS A DIFl!'IOULTY TO DE OVERCOME. 1. Jeremio.h shrank from his mission, not through the cowardice that fears danger, nor through the indolence that dislikes effort, nor through the selfishness that declines respon- sibility, but through the diffidence of youth, sensitiveness, and humility. (1) Youth is naturally diffident. 'l'he world is all unknown ; powers are not yet proved by experience. 6 THE BOOK OF 'l'HE PROPHET JEnEMIAII. [ell. I. 1-19,