The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 399

HOMILIES BY VA.RIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-4.-Celibacy as an obligation of the minister of God. This passage has brrn quoted_ in support of the Roroish doctrine of the celibacy of the clergy. Like other favourite references of the advocates of this regulation, however, it only requires to be examined to show that its bearing is quite of an opposite character. Its terms are not by any means absolute or universal. Not even the whole lifetime of the prophet nor his entire ministry are within the scope of the prohibition. It was a special rcvclatiou for exceptional circumstances, and must not be converted into a general rule. 1. 'l'HE LIMITATIONS IMPOSED UPON THE PROPHET, AND THEm BEABONB. 1. The com- mand related to: (l) The prophet himself. It was in the second person singular. A matter affecting himself alone. (2) The holy land-" in this place." Should circum- stances lead him elsewhere, the inference is that the restriction would be withdrawn. (3) The period of time dapsing between the delivery of the special" word of Jehovah" and its fulfilment. 2. That Jeremiah himself was alone required to observe this restric- tion might at first appear strange were it not for his exceptional position. (1) As a symbol of the Divine attitude and intention to'wards Judah. Not only special actions, such as the hiding of the girdle, were to be of this character, but the whole personality of the prophet. He was representative both of God and the ideal Israel. Therefore be represents the mind of God towards those who usurped the place of the latter. The conditions of the then present relations of God and Judah were not such as warranted an assumption of responsibilities implying for their happy fulfilment the Divine acceptance and favour. In the midst of a luxurious people his celibacy would be impressive. (2) .As an example to others. The inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah, whatever they might experience in the future, would not be able to say they had been entrapped or deceived into a false security. The self-restraint and serious, sad aspect he presented were intended to influence the action of the people at that juncture. The calamities foretold would not come upon those who had been nnwamed. Il. THE BEARING OF THESE UPON THE QUESTION OF THE "OELmAOY OF THE CLERGY," It is obviollll that, as there were many other ministers of God in Judah and Jerusalem at that time to whom the command was not given, it was intended for one occupying an exceptional position. Further, there is no necessary permanent obligation attaching to it. A certain contingency is regarded-a time of distress and bloodshed-and the conduct of the prophet is directed with regard to that. But the celibacy of the clergy is a permanent institution with those who uphold it. No regard is paid to special circumstances or times. And the office of the Christian minister is not to be con- sidered as occupied for a ~eason of short-lived, delusive peace, but instituted and main- tained in a world which is being reconciled to God; in which the Holy Spirit is given to them that ask it for direction and comfort; and whose institutions are more and more influenced by the laws of the kingdom of God, So in St. Paul's day it was the "present distress" which gave rise to the injunction. The world was conceived of as approaching a grand climateric ; a sudden and overwhelming calamity was to inaugu- rate Christ's reign amongst men. Much will depend upon this, viz. Is the minister of the gospel a prophet of evil or a preacher of peace and glad tidings? If the latter, it can hardly be necessary that he should assume the bearing of Jeremiah. And the influence of a celibate clergy upon the general institutions· of marriage has been found to be pernicious, lowering its relative sacredness and violating the law of nature, which is its greatest safeguard. III. PRINCIPLES OF GENERAL OBLIGATION INVOLVED. The duties and restraints here imposed upon the prophet are not rightly apprehended when supposed entirely peculiar to office and position. They are not wholly those of a class or a special individual, but rather the generally obligatory principles of the spiritual lifo intensified and special- ized. Every Christian ought to hold himself ready to sacrifice and to adapt himself as the duties imposed upon him under given circumstances may require. 1. The responsi- bilit-ies of marriage. One's own happiness merely is not to be consulted in marrying, lrnt the probabilities of comfort and right upbringing of children that may be born. A ;;eason of calamity such as that now foretold was a sufficient reason against contracting orr. xvi. 1-21.] '.l.'HE DOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. 4(,3