The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 91

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. 'Vcrs.1-4.-The duty of reality in religious profession. The reformations of Jehu and Josiah were superficial and short-lived. Something more thorough was required. A real, immediate return to Jehovah was demanded. I. 'l'HE SIGNS OF UNnEALITY. 1. Retention of the memorials and symbols of the guilty past. They may not be used, hut tliey are there. '!'here has not been strength of will to remove them, or the fear of man has pro<luced vacillation. Externally the heathen temple stands side by side with the house of God, and may claim eqm1.l respect with it. 2. An uncertain and wavering attitude. Blowing hot and blowincr cold. Compromising with existent evils. Postponing needed reforms. 3. Unrigliteous~1ess of life. This is one of the gravest evils. A creed which does not affect conduct must be either untrue or not heartily believed. An enigma of the nnti-slave1·y times was the fact that amongst the pro-slavery advocates were many of the most orthodox clergy, whereas the leaders of the agitation for freedom were secularists, Unitarians, and men of vague or heterodox religious opinions. II. Evn.s ATTENDANT UPON UNREALITY. 1. Oonfusion is created between the true and the false rel~gions. 2. A constant temptation exists in the relics and practices qf evil that are retained. 3. Moral influence upon unbelievers is lost, and unrighteous11ess encouraged. 4. Spiritual growth is seriously impeded. It is a "sowing among thorns,'" or upon the exhausted and unfruitful soil of superficial emotion and fancy. As wild land can be cleansed from weeds only by deep and repeated ploughing, so the i;;piritual nature must be thoroughly moved by peniteuce and steadfast resolution. III. GoD'B FEEL:r:,;G TOWARDS UNREAL WORSHIPPERS. He. cannot accept their peni- tence. Their services are an abomination to him. His anger is represented as a smouldering fire ready to break forth in destruction.-M. Ver. 10.-Human uncertainty coexi'.sting with Divine illumination. Tho propl1ccy now uttered does not harmonize with that of eh. iii. 12-25. 'l'he times of fulfiiment are unknown to the prophet. This element of uncertainty in all prophecies, eveu thoso of Christ (" for of the times and the seasons knoweth no man," etc.) is noteworthy. '!'his outburst of annoyance and misconception illust.ratcs-- I. THE TEMPTATION LATENT IN SUPE!lI0R DIVINE KNOWLEDGE. The moral balance and perspective are threatened with disturbance. Hence the impulse to expostulate with Gorl-to speak as if from a superior standpoint of morality. Seeming con- tradictions are encountered which would liave no existence to a simpler or less illuminated spirit. It is as if the moral nature of man were only practically sufficient fur what is revealed to him by the ordinary faculties and means of knowledge. II. 'l'HE S0RF.OW ACCOMPANYING EXCEPTIONAL GIFTS. 'l'he prophet, no more thnn the poet or man of genius, is to be envied, How hard to be the custodian of a truth men will not receive! to be conscious of evils imp~nding which one cannot avert I The excep- tional sen,qitiveness of the prophetic temperament, and the keener vision of the seer, are the occa8ion.s of an incommunicable sadness, and even, at times, of overwhelming concern. E~pecia\ly is this the case where patriotic feeling identifies the prophet on the one siclo with bis people, and devout spirituality leads him nevertheless to acknowledge the righteousness of God. 'l'here was no more human or loving heart in Israel Lhau c11. 1v. 1-31.] 'IIIE BOOK OF THE PROPllE'l' JETIE:MiAI!. R7