Vere. 7, 8.-Leaving all for God. (Naegelsbach is of opinion that the words of vers. 7-13 "are to be understood as having a double reference," i.e. both to the prophet's own feelings and to Jehovah's judgment. Zwingli and Bugenhagen consider that Jehovah begins to speak at "Go" or" Corne," in ver. 0. There is evidently an intimate blending of the prophetic with the Divine consciousness throughout the whole passage.) A hard duty, but one often devolving upon faithful servants of Jehovah. Indeed, spiritually, it is the first condition of discipleship imposed by Ch1ist. Only thus can the soul preserve its equipoise and integrity in what may be required of it. The Master will brook no rival. L THE REABONB FOR BUCH A SACRIFICE. It is possible that for one with the keen, affectionate nature of Jeremiah, much intercourse with his family and friends would have interfered with the performance of his duty. He was appointed to discharge an anomalous function, for which the greatest concentration of energy and spirit was required. Even though he had to weep as he spoke the words that God had com- manded him, he must speak. His duty to the nation overshadowed or pushed into the background the claims of friends. So the follower of Christ may be subjected tl' discipline in providence, or to voluntary self-deprivation of a like kind by the demands of spiritual work. And it behoves all who labour in the cause of truth to hold them- selves spiritually detached from those things and relations which might impede true usefulness. II. KEEN PERSONAL BORROW IS FREQUENTLY OCOAijIONED BY IT. That it was a real trial to Jeremiah there can be no doubt; and probably the special discovery made to him ( eh. xi. 18 seq.,) was intended to facilitate the transfer of attachment to Jehovah. The endearing terms-" mine house," "mine heritage," "the dearly beloved of my soul," and the manner in which he repeats the history of his estrangement, prove how deeply tho trial had affected him. III. THEREBY IS TESTED THE LOYALTY OF THE SAINT TO Goo. In a question between one's friends and Jehovah, the settlement ought not to be doubtful to the mind of the saint. The reasons for withdrawal from entangling relations may not immediately appear, but the believer can with confidence leave them in the hands of God, by whom they will in due time be revealed. There is a danger in the midst of ordinary human relations that Jehovah shall be considered simply as an addition to our obligutions, instead of being the supreme and all-modifying influence of our lifo. In proportion to the severity of the experience will be the consolations to be received.-M.
Vere. 14-17.-Mercy and /udgment. In these verses we have one of the "larger words" which make the whole world's testament of salvation and life. The threatenings are stern and will be executed to the letter; but the promises seem to transcend the immediate occasion. A gate of hope and redemption was herein opened to multitudes who at that date were not included in the covenant of Israel. 'l'he conditions upon which their possible comprehension within the future Israel is based a.re moral and spiritual, and therefore truly universal. I. THE GREATEST JUDOMENTS OF Goo UPON THE NEIGHBOURS OF ISRAEL BUT CORRESPONDED WITH THEIR ,cnnms. That grave evils were inflicted upon the enemies of Israel cannot be denied. Multitudes were put to a painful death. Nations were uprooted, and human life appeared to bo looked upon as an insignificant thing. In judging of this, however, it must be remembered that thoy had done and were ready to do similar things to Israel and Judah. 'l'he moral platform, too, upon which they lived has to be consi'1ered. Ages of depravity and barbarism, upon which higher appeals would have been utterly lost, had to be imaginatively impressed and overawed, And there were not wanting testimonies of conscience amongst the enemies of Israel themselves to justify this course. But- JEREMIAH. y 322 'l'HE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREilll.AH. [oli, JUI. 1-1,·.