The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 221

Ver.11.-(See on eh. vi. 14.) Vers. 14-, 15.-Despair. I. DESPAIR wn.L ABISE ON THE PERCEPTION THAT THERE IS NO WAY OF ESCAPE FBOM BUIN. 'l'he miserable Jews are pictured as firnt sitting still helplessly, a.nd then rousing themselves to enter the fenced cities, only to find that death awaits them there as surely a.s in the open plain, People are too ready to believe that "something will turn up," and so hold on, in confidence and indifference, till their eyes a.re suddenly opened, and they see room for nothing but despair. II. DESPAIR Wil.L ARISE ON THE RECOGNITION OF THE WRATH OP Goo. The Jews a.re to see that their God has put them to silence. Philistines, Egyptians, Assyriam, Chaldeans, might all be resisted; but who shall resist God? Men can only fight against God with confidence until they perceive him fighting against them. Then hope is madness. • III. DESPAIR WILL BE HEIGHTENED BY THE BENSE OF GUILT. The Jews are to see that their calamity is the punishment of sin. It is deserved. It is justly given. Men hope on while they refuse to admit their sin; but conviction of sin is fatal to hope. IV. DESPAm l'4AY FOLLOW A CONFIDENT HOPE. The Jews had looked for peace a.nd for a time ·of health, Yet none came. Hope may be very bright and yet very delusive. 'fhe splendour of the sunrise conta.ins little promise tha.t the day will close without storms. Subjective confidence is no gua.rantee of objective truth. Things are not the more true because we believe them very firmly, \Ve ma.y feel safe and be in danger. A peaceful dea.th is no security for a. joyful resurrection. It is little that a ma.n has overcome the fear of dtia.th; the importa.nt question is whether he has removed the ground for that fea.r. 'fhe faith tha.t saves is not confidence in our own security, but submissive a.nd obedient trust in Christ. V. 'l'HE POSSIBILITY 01" DEBPAID IS REVEALED, NOT TO PRODUCE IT, BUT TO WARN us FROM IT. If it were inevitable, or, being experienced, invincible, it would be cruel to prepare a.ny for it. Why not let the poor doomed wretch enjoy his brief hour of sundhine before he is sent," to dwell in solemn sha.des of endless night"? But the revela.tions of a. possibly da.rk future a.re given in mercy to wa.rn us from sowing the seeds of despair a.nd to point to the way of esca.pe. No soul need despa.ir since there is One who "is able to sa.ve them to the uttermost tha.t come unto God by him " (Heb. vii. 25). Ver. 20.-Hai-vest contrasts. The sea.sons he.ve their lessons for nll of us, teaching both by a.na.loiy and by contrast ; for the wa.rnings suggested by the opposition of our own condition to that of the natura.l world ma.y be as instructive us the encourage- ments arising out of the harmony between the two. To Jeremiah the ha.rvest came in its brightness only to show the condition of the Jews in the deeper shadow. A similar experience ma.y occur to those of us who have no ha.rvest-song in the soul to respond to the ha.rveet-gla.dness of the world without. l. THE MOST HOPEFUL EXTERNAL EVENT IS NO SECURITY FOB DELIVERANCE FROM THE GREATEST TROUBLES OF LIFE. Even ha.rvost did not _bring deliverance. Peoplo ire too rea.dy to rest their confidence on various indications of God in the outside world. 1. Time. The ha.rvcst is a. new wnyJJ1ark in the course of time. Ma.ny trust blindly to time to bring them some help, while they do not stir a. finger to secure it. 2, (Jhange. 'fhe harvest indicates a. naw sea.son, 'l'he sanguine a.re too ready to believe tha.t any cha.nge must be for the better. 3. Material prosperity, The harvest brings bread for the body. Must it not, therefore, lay the foundation of perfect and lasting good? To those men whose "god is their belly" the ha.rvcst would seem to promise complete sa.tisfaction. 4. Indica.tions of the merciful kindness of God. lfo sends the harvest. Then, it is rea.soncd, he wishes to bless, a.nd therefore will permit no ha.rm. But experience proves the error of theso a.nticipations, and reflection should 220 THE DOOK OF THE PROPHET JERE!IUAH. [olI. vw.1-22,