The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 583

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-14.-Duties and consolations of God's captivity. I. THEIR DUTIES. The imposition of definite lines of conduct and policy upon the exiled, was one proof that they were not cast off'; the promise of deliverance was another. Althou&h amongst the heathen, they were not to be as the heathen; neither were they to be wnolly given over to despair. As children of God they were to exhibit the virtues of: 1. Industry. (Ver. 5.) Misanthropy and despair are the parents of idleness ; Di vine faith endues men with energy. The exiles had a testimony to bear before the heathen. It was a present duty to achieve an honest independence. 2. Domestic attachment. (Ver. 6.) The family, with all its joys and responsibilities, is still to be cared for. If the present be forfeited the future is still capable of being redeemed. The new generations would reap the advantaues of which the fathers bad been deprived. 3. Public spirit. (Ver. 7.) They were not to abstain from the duties of citizenship merely because they were amongst heathen conquerors. Even there they might exert an influence for good. The funda- mental law of God's kingdom is to seek the good of all men. Work faithfully rendered to the commonwealth would not be vain or without its reward. Even the heathen and the men of this world can appreciate good citizenship. That a distinctive work: and testimony still remained to the Church as a Church, is no reason for neglecting those less direct and more general duties which so powerfully commend the religious profession that inculcates them. 4. Oheerfulness This is not so much to be classified along with the preceding as to be understood as the spring and governing principle of them all. What more natura. than a spirit of resentment under the circumstances? How easy to hang the harp on the willows I But this would only be to misunderstand God and thwart his purposes. He seeks the happiness and prosperity of his people- even here and now, and notwithstanding the discipline to which he may be subjecting thom. Not resignation merely, but cheerful acquiescence and co-operation, are, there- fore, to be expected of his people. "I opened not my mouth, because thou didst it." II. TBEm CONSOLATIONS. 'fhese were partly to consist in the natural results of the course of conduct enjoined, or the happiness inseparably associated with tho observance of it; but chiefly in the anticipation of the future. 1. A definite term was set to their captivity. (Ver. 10.) It was one that could easily be verified, and was not too far tlbtant to extinguish hope. Some of those who as children were taken to Babylon, might in their old age return to the land of promise. There is measure as well a~ meaning in all God's discipline. He never imposes upon his people a burden greater than they can bear. The darkest night is illumined by light Leyond. Wheu they sorrow, their sorrow is not without hope. 2. The present was linked with the future. '!'hey might be comforted in the fulfilment of their daily tasks by the knowledge that everything done in obedience to God and the spirit of true benevolence would have its influence upon the promised deliverance. .At the very worst, what was done in this disposition would not retard thnt event or rob it of its fulncss of blessing. In like umnner the children of God are assured that this earthly life is but a "sojourning," JJ,REMI.A.B. 2Q 594 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. [err, XXIL 1-32.