The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 574

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vera. 1-17.-How to answer those who oppose the truth. Where.the light is there will be the deepest shadow; the truth is ever sharply defined against falsehood. Just when it was most important that the will of God and the real position of Israel should be ascertained, there were many striving to deceive and misrepresent.. The behaviour of Jeremiah on this occasion was twofold. l. ACCORDING TO HUMAN KNOWLEDGE AND JUDGMENT. 1. With moderauon. "Amen: the Lord do so." Under such trying circumstances the behaviour of the prophet is praiseworthy in the extreme. The contra.diction and indignity to which he had been snbjected might have excused a hot rejoinder. He is willing to have the dispute settled in a very effectual way. Meanwhile he is careful to make it clear that he too desired what his opponent bad prophesied. This was the disposition of the Master, and should be copied by all his disciples. "A soft answer turneth away wmth;" "The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men." 2. By an appeal to the great principle that the event will determine the troth of their predictions or the wisdom of their conduct. (Vers. 8, 9.) This was an appeal to the conscience of his opponent. 3. Quiet submission to the will of God. " And the prophet Jeremiah went his way.n When there is no sign of reasonableness in our antagonists, or no prospect of immediate success, it is well to submit quietly and to wait God's time. This is the test of spiritual reality. True Christianity will show itself in earnest, unobtrusive actions and patient waiting for Christ. The most eloquent enforcement of the gospel is a quiet, consistent life. II. As INBPIBED. Whilst he had no direct message he was silent. But God, who will not leave his servants without a witness, and who resents the slightest dishonour to which they are subjected, came to his rescue. The whole attitude of the prophet is now changed. With certainty he recovers also his viva.city, energy, and fearless power of denunciation. He is now the minister of judgment. 1. To the nation. The yoke of wood gh·es place to one of iron. The complicity of the people in the guilt of the false prophet must be punished. Their resistance to the will of God and disbelief of his servant involves them in a heavier sentence. So it is with all impenitence and rejection of God's Word. The position of the transgressor cannot remain the same. With each step he plunges into deeper guilt and more fearful judgment. 2, To the originator of the offence. In this case the sentence is proportionately heavier and more immediate. Death is pronounced against the offending prophet with terrible brevity and clearness. There is ever a distinction between offenders and those who cause them to offend. Primacy in disobedience will ensure a special and unmistakable mark of God's anger. This announcement of doom, simple as it was in itself, must have beea OH. XXVIII. 1-17.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. /i86