Vers. 12-IG.-Hastening ills. (For the first fig, cf. Matt. xxiv. 32.) The vision oi the prophet is twofold, viz. a wakeful almond rod, and a boiling pot. They are symbols of quick accomplishment and violent invasion. As the almond rod is wakeful or ready to sprout when planted, and" first to wake from the sleep of winter," so the evils pre- pared by God will be quickly brought to pass. The boiling pot would seem to be the Chaldeans, who invaded Israel from the north. As swiftly and violently as the pot boils over, so will God make the wrath of men to praise him. 'l'he ills are swiftly approaching, but they are self-produced by Israel. \Vhen we compare this statement with the forgiving character of God, we must feel how great the sin and. the provocation that could so move him. Yet on the very edge of his destroying vengeance he remem- bers mercy, and will have his people repent. Notice- • l. SINNERS MUST NOT CONCLUDE THATTIIEY ARE SAFE BECAUSE OF PRESENT IMMUNITY. Jeremiah was as the eye of Israel just opened to the impending dangers. Many would even now reject his message; but the warning is given : 1. Through an intensely sensitive mind, that it may produce a vivid impression upon the imagination and heart of those who he:i.r the prophet. 2. Seasonably, that although but a short time remains, there may be opportunity of repentance and reform. II. Gon BEGINS TIIE CHASTISEMENT OF HIS PE.OPLE GENTLY, BUT IF THEY 'REPENT NOT HE WILL INCREASE AND HASTEN HIS JUDGMENTB 'UNTIL THE EVIL IS WIIOLLY AT AN END, The first emblem is one of rapid yet natural development; it is otherwise indefinite. The second is more suggestive of punishment and destruction. The first speaks only of such punishment as may be needed from time to time, and df the unceasing vigilance of the offended God ; the second is sudden, overwhelming, and beyond all reckoning or measurement. • III. IDOLATRY IS THE BIN OF WHICH Gon IS MOST INTOLERANT.• It is the transfer of affection and trust to an unworthy object, and an insult to God and degrading to them- selves. They who indulge in it are warned that their punishment will be constant and rapidly successive ; and that they are on the brink of signal, terrible manifestation of Divine wrath.-M.
Vers. 4-10.-The prophet's call. We see in the case of Jeremiah a striking instance of a man constrained by force of circumstance and by a Divine call to occupy a posi- tion and to do a kind of work for which he was not naturally either qualified or disposed. Of a highly 6ensitive and timid nature, a tender 'heart, a desponding spirit, he \Vas inclined to mourn in secret over the abounding evils of the time rn.thcr than publicly to rebuke them. But a~ soon as the Divine summons comes to him, he "confors not with flesh and blood," he forgets his fears and infirmities, and' for forty long years patiently withstands the tide of iniquity and adversit~-a noble example of blended tenderness and strength. In this account of the prophets call, note- I. Gon's SOVEREIGNTY IN THE RAISING UP OF MEN TO DO ms WORK. Jeremiah was "knowr;." and" sanctified "-dedicated by God to his sacred ofllce-before his birth. His "ordination," appointment, now is but the fulfilling of an antecedent Divine pur- pose a~d choice. Most of the illustrious men of old bear some conspicuous mark of such Divine election upon them, e.g. Moses, Gideon, Samson, Cyrus. St. Paul de- en. 1. 1-19,] TilE BOOK OF TIIE PROPHET JEREMIAH. 21