The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 494

Ver. 1O.-Misplaced s01·row. "\Veep ye not for the dead," etc. Reference is to Josiah, the pious and patriotic King of Judah, who died deeply lamented (2 Chroa. xxxv. 24, 25), being spared the pain of seeing and sharing the disgrace and suffering of his country (2 Kings xxii. 20). And by" him that goeth away" Shall um is probably meant. He was a younger son of Josiah, and was raised by the people to the throne under the name of Jehoahaz, but was soon carried captive into Egypt, never to return (2 Kings xxiii. 31~'35). 'l'akiug the words of this verse generally, we note- I. WE DO WEEP FOB THE DEAD. Not, however, in the same hopeless way in which the dead were mourned ere Christ brought life and immortality to light by the gospel. Still, though in a very real sense Christ has abolished death, we yet weep for the dead. 1. For the beloved dead. We can hardly comprehend how, if they be conscious, they can be happy without those they have loved here on earth. We know how much her children were to the fond mother of whom they have been bereaved, how she delighted in them and they in her, and hence we cannot see how she can be happy and blessed apart from them. And the fearful vacancy which the removal of the beloved dead causes in the circle of those who mourn them, the constant .and dreary sense of irreparable loss,-all this is sufficient to make us weep for the dead. 2. And for the holy dead, as we think of the influence they exerted, the power for good they were to the family, the Church, the neighbourhood. 3. And for all who die we mourn. For life itself is a blessing: "All that a man bath will he give for his life." Tf, therefore, they have been cut off in the prime of their existence, their "sun gone down while it was yet day," we grieve over the possibilities of honour, happiness, and usefulness which are thus lost to them. And if they have been unbelieving and godless, we weep yet more. So far as we can see, the door of heaven is shut on them ere ever they have sought entrance there. It is a fearful thing for a man to die unforgiven, im1ienitent, and unbelieving. But it is not of such that mention is made in this verse, How can the thoughtful soul do aught but weep for them? But- IL WE SHOULD AT TDIIES WEEP MORE FOB THE LIVING. Great blessing as life is generally, there are times when death is less a reason for tears than life is. It is so when life is a prolonged sorrow, or shame, or suffering, or, especially, sin. Our Lord himself bade the women of Jerusalem weep not for him, but, etc. (Luke xxiii. 28). He thus declared that death-even such as his was to be-was preferable to life such as theirs would soon be. And death is a relief in cases not a few. Has not many a. mother, heart-broken by the wild, wicked ways of a. godless son, felt often that had he been taken from her when a. little child, that sorrow had been less than his life now causes her? And our Lord said of Judas," It had been better for that man if he had never been born." If sore sorrow can make life to be more pitiable than death- and it cau-how much more grievous sin? Such a one is making the worst of both worlds. What is our life? IIL DuT IS NOT DEATH, FOR THE GODLY, ALWAYS PREFERABLE TO LIFE? Is it not always the living who are to be pitied? St. Paul says, "'l'o depart and be with Christ ... is far better." And the author of Eccclesiastes declares, "Better is the do.y of one's death than the day of one's birth." And without doubt the condition of the blessed dead is better than any earthly lot whatsoever. An old divine represents one such as saying to those who lnOlll"ne<l him, "Weep not for me. For," ho says, "C<ltl• Cllt. XXII, 1~ao.J ·rHE BOOK OF 'l'HE PROPHET JEREMIAH. 501