The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 47

Ver: 28.-'' Lords many and gods many." The multiplicity of idols contrasts with the unity of the trne God. It involves inconsistency, spiritual confusion, etc. But here the argument is- I. THAT IDOLATRY IS A LOCAL, EXCLUSIVE, AND SEPARATIVE PRINCIPLE. II. IT IS THUS. THE OREATURE AND THE OCCASION OF IGNORANCE, PREJUDICE, AND DISCORD. III. IT IS THEREFORE DOUND TO DISAPPEAR BEFORE THE LIGHT AND PBOGBESS OF HUMANITY,-M. Ver. 30.-Refecting tliecllastisements of God. The spiritual benefits of pain, calamity, etc., are contingent for the most part upon their being received in a right way-as from God, and not by accident. They are iutended to discover our sins to us, and to lead us to the love and righteousness of God. Whore this result is not effected, " chastiiie- ment is not accepted." . . • l. THE POSSIDILITY OF REFUSING OHASTISEMENT. II; llfISERY AND PAIN ARE NOT OF THEMSELVES MINISTERS OF GRACE. III, RIGHTLY RECEIVED, OUR GIIEATEST GRmFB MAY BECOME OUR GREATEST MERCIES. -M. Ver. 35.-Tlie plea of innocence a culmina!ing sin. We do not know to which par- ticular charge this reply is given. Perhaps the key is contained in 2 Kings xxiii. ~G. An external reformation was considered enough in the reign of Josiah, and it was assumed that the anger of God was thereby turned away. '!.'he prophet assures them that this was a mistake, nnd more than this, a sin in itself. I, DEADLY BIN MAY EXIST IN THE MIND WHICH 18 NOT SPECIALLY CONSCIOUS OF IT, II. SuoH UNCONSCIOUSNESS EXHIBITS PERVERTED MORAL NATURE AND CALLOUSNESS OF HEART. III. IT PROVOKES THE llIOBl': SEVERE .JUDGMENT FROM GoD.-M. Vers.1-8.-Jsrael's desertion (If Jehovah viewed in the light qf the past. Desertion rather than apostasy is the word by which to describe the offence chargEd against Israel in this chapter. Apostasy from principle is too abstract nnd unemotionl\l a way of putting the thing. 'l'he spectacle presented to us is thnt of one person deserting another in the basest and most ungrateful way. It is a desert.ion without excuse, aggmvatcd by every circumstance which can ng!sravnte it. And now Jehovah sends his servant to bring the reality of this desertion distinctly before the nation. And suitably enough he sends him to "cry in• the ears of J erusalern." 'Nhatcvcr is sounded forth in the capital by a mnn who has had the words of Gotl put in his mouth may bo expected to go to the ends of the land.  'l'UE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. [cu. n. 1-37.