The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 464

the suggestion of his own evil heart. Capable of destroying civil rights and character itself. The whole civil and sacred machinery of the land was at his disposal. The public trusted him. The state of things condemned by Jeremiah it ,vas his immediate interest to support, and in turn he could rely upon official support. He identifies himself with the ruling party and becomes its representative and mouthpiece. ·Vested rights, traditional religion, etc., are his watchwords, because he owes everything to them. 2. How it was acquired. Family connection-" the son of Immer the priest." Not by strivin{f t:a reform abuses, but by fostering and upholding the status quo. Ho who was so oblivious to the wrongs of which the prophet spoke could not have been scrupulous as to the means by which be rose to position and influence. Oriental cor- ruption and intrigue had doubtless had their part in securing bis elevation. (" Pashur" probably means" extension,"" pride," "eminence.") 3. How it was employed. Hastily, on the passionate impulse of the moment. Without regard to the essential justice of the case. And when the error is discovered no true repentance or effort at amends is ,isible. Cf. the time-serving policy of Agrippa (Acts. xxvi. 32). . II. THE CHARACTER AND DESTINY BE EARJ:s"ED. By making himself the champion of apostate Judah, arid insulting the prophet. of God, he is sentenced to the same fate, but in a peculiar aud aggravated degree. 1. It would be his fortune to be loolced upon as the representative and embodiment of the system of falsehood which had ruined his country. He who prophesied falsely will be justly punished by such an association; Instead of saying, "It was Moloch or Astarte that deceived us," the victims of the common disaster will say, "It was the prophet of these false gods who led us astray." How readily does per5onal influence acquire such a representative character! There are many evil forces and influences at work in society,_ the state, the Church, etc., which would cease to exist were it not for their accidental' connection with some personage who becomes their advocate or their bulwark. 2. His character and influence would be exposed. The assurances he bad given would one by one be falsified by the fulfil~ ments of J ere.miah's predictions. Instead of being honoured and lo_oked up to, he. would become a. loathing and a. byword. He would outlive his credit, his self-esteem; and his happiness. Shunned by others, he would be unable to trust himself. Each fresh catastrophe would deepen his disgrace and remorse. A" terror round about" would be the name he would earn. 3. His exemption from immediate destruction would but enhance his punishment. Like the criminal obliged to stand in the dock and hear all the counts of his indictment made good by the evidence of witnesses, he should outlive the first effects of the national ruin, see all his statements falsified, -bear the reproach of his own wicked lies, and yet linger on when life had ceased to be desirable. '!'hero is a grotesqueness about this punishment that would make it ludicrous were it not so sad and awful A more severe punishment could hardly be conceived. And yet it is not more than Pashur deserved. Would that our modern "prophets of lies" could be com- pelled to witness the consequences of their advice and example I A modified degtcc of this experience ha.a, indeed, been the sentence inflicted upon many a good man, But Christ takes up the entail of sin and breaks it. We may' do better than to stand by and see the evil consequences of former folly; it is for us to strive to rectify them. So the past may be retrieved and the evil days redeemed by those who have been servants of sin "turning many to righteousness."-M. Vers. 7-18.-The sorrow and joy of God's servant. Thero a.re many such photos graphs of the inner heart-life of God's people. It is ~e touch of nature which brings tliem near to us. The words and work of Jeremiah become more living and influential when we witness his spiritual struggles. I. TIIF.: SPIRITUAL NECESSITY OF HIB roBITI0N IB 'ALTERNATELY COMPLAINED OF AND ACQUIESCED IN. The saint cannot always continue amidst his highest experiences. There are ups and downs, not only of our actual outward circumstances, but of our inward spiritual states. Do not condemn Jeremiah until you a.re able to acquit your• self. 'l'he heavenly mind is not formed easily or at once. There is an inward cross in every true heart, upon which it must needs "die daily." But "the powers of the w?rld to come" ever tend to Increase their hold upon the beli over. This alternation of m ,0d and feeling is a necessnry accompaniment of spiritual growth. Some day tho Lea, t ,, ::I bo fb:ccl. "'l'ho l'eproacl.i of Christ" will thon bo ostoomed "greater riches en. xx.1-18.J THE IlOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAII. 471