The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 477

on this occasion Rppcars at first highly sagacious and commendable. 1. For its acknowledgment of Jelwvah as the only Deliverer. .A tremendous danger threatened the state. Zedekiah "counted the cost" and sent to the representative of Jehovah. Ha did not waste his resources in useless expedients, but frankly accepted the calamity as sent from God, appealing through God's prophet for deliverance. Most men ia similar circumstances lose themselves in secondary causes. "lt is this unfortunate accident or that. In time circumstances will be better, and we shall right ourselves." 2. Its respect/or God. Great officers of state sent to a poor prophet. Religion after all may be. the chief concern; at least e. very important matter, and worthy the attention of the highest in the land. II. AN EXAMPLE TO DE AVOIDED. 1. It was tardy. The warning of the prophet had been given long before, but.it was not believed. Not until the visible proof of his veracity appeared before the city was -Zedekiah eager to come to terms with the God he bad.offended. However great the alacrity of men to· betake themselves to the offices of religion in times of .calamity, their earnestness haB not the spontaneous character to which it pretends. They are spurred on by fear. 2. The power instead of the grace of God was appealed to. A compliment to Jehovah's past achievements is delicately suggested. No petty business would bring him to ask a favour of God, but this trouble is great and urgent, and beyond human· means c>f dealing with it; therefore God is called in. "It is worthy of his interference who always' doeth wondrously.'" Now, there is no real humiliation here. Rccognitiou of God's claims is grudgingly and of necessity made, but no word is mentioned of sin or repentance from it; no appeal is made to the forgiving love of God. Hi1man nature is proud even in its necessities and prayers. "Help me now, at this juncture, and-afterwards I shall be able to help myself," God will not accept us unless we come humbly as well as pr:i.yerfully. Sin must be confessed. 3. It contained no promise of amendment. Jehovah is summoned as a Deus ez machina for the solution of a humanly impossible problem; but there is no indication that the" desperate resort" will grow into a course of constant waiting upon God. 4. The duty which ought to liave ber.n personal was delegated to others. Under the garb of respect religion is often really evaded. The Dible teaches the great doctrine of mediation, but it does· not tell ua how to perform our religious duties by proxy. 5. Gei:tainty, the note of Divine faith, is coiispicuous by its absence. "If so be that." The case is stated as ~ dilltan:t possibility. 'l'he language sounds respectful ; it is so diffident, so unpresuming; but it really veils a profound scepticism. There 01.1ght to be, there is, no 4.' perhaps'·' in belioving prayer. 'rhe king was told that if he and his people repented, God ·would instantly avert the calamity or convert it into blessing. Perhapsu~ like this are profanities. Besides, the suggestion is dishonouring to God, viz. thnt he should stay bis ju<lgmeuts and the sinner nevertheless continu.i impenitent. 6. The whole tone of the message is false and unsatisfact<Y1-y. It is that of one driven up into a corner by e.n unexpected exigencJ, but resolved that what he is obliged -to do shall be barely done, and, in such a manner as to give it quito ,another e.speot to those who look on. .A moral distance is observed, a_s of one who is unwilling to allow that religious duties are of personal as well as officia.l and conventional obliga- tion. It is the courtly language of diplomacy, and docs not come hot-burning from a heart full of sorrow, faith, and love. What wonder it should not be answered save in scorn and added severity? The sarcasm is sublime.-M. Vars, 13, 14.-God's answer to eartlily presumption. The indifference and callousness of Judah and her king would appear to have reached a climax. Ignorance could not be alleged in excuse of it. It had become ingrainc\l systematic unrighteousness; and had added this to itself, that it had rejected the warning counsels of God's prophet. How was it to be dealt with ? I. IT COULD NOT DE LET ALONE. 1. The long-suffering mercy that had ali-eady been shown had been misundel'stood; To delay longer was therefore impossible. 2, For all sin is a contradiction of the Divine Spirit and rule in the earth. It is 11. direct challenge to Heaven. Especially is this the case when .11, positive law hns been rc- v~aled, and a direct intimation of God's will ma.do by a living representative. God's honour ia therefore involnd in the issue. 3. The interests of truth and the kingdom. of God on earth would suffer, The transgression of one child of God is a stum bliug-block 2 I 2  'l'IIE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. [en. xu.1-14.