The Pulpit Commentary — Jeremiah — Volume 1 — Section 584

and that "all things work together for good." This life will have an immense influence upon the complexion of the next. The duties of every day are therefore to be atteuded to in the full conviction of their absolute worth and avail in the sight of God. '!'hey have the promise not only of the life which now is, but of that which is to coine. 3. Spiritw:il blessings were promised. (Vers. 11-14.) The good will and faithfulness of God; the restoration of religious communion; the gathering and reconstitution of the theocracy.-M. Vers. 12-14.-Signs that God's favour is restored. I. WHAT HE DOES IN HIS PEOPLE. 1. In tur'l!,ing their hearts to himself. They had been worshipping Baal and the gods of heathendom. Only now and then did they offer a half-hearted wor- ship to Jehovah. The idolatries that pandered to their lusts were uppermost in their thoughts, and it was only occasionally, in seasons of desperate need, they bethought themselves of Jehovah. Now he was to assume a higher place in their regard. Their views of life, its purposes and destinies, would be elevated, and he would become their chief desire. The new era of favour and happiness would be distinguished by intense personal love for God. In Nehemiah's day a measure of spiritual affection like this showed itself, but it could only be fully developed through the personal mani- festation of Christ, who was to draw all men unto him. 2. In pouring forth the spirit of true prayer. Where the heart's affections go forth towards God the spirit of true prayer commences. It is that which cries within us, "Abba, Father," which is the spirit of prayer and supplications. It has been supposed that the first clause of ver. 12 refers to private and the second to public prayer. The habit and delight of devotion were to be restored. Where these are there is already the earnest of all substantial and eternal good. Pentecost was prefaced and penetrated with prayer. II. WHAT HE DOES FOB ms PEOPLE. 1. In revealing himself. They who seek for him with their whole heart will find him. The veil will be withdrawn, and calamity, understood as fatherly chastisement, patiently borne. In the subsequent history of Israel this was largely experienced; but the fulness of the spiritual meaning of the promise was only realized in Christ and the outpourings of his Spirit. 2. He will hearken to their petitions. The sense of acceptance will come, even in the midst of captivity. Faithful hearts will fill with presage of coming deliverance, and prayer will not only be effectual but be felt to be so. It is in this exercise the true relationship of God and his people becomes evident, and the blessings of a present and ultimate redemption are secured. There can be no more marked proof of God's favour towards any one than answers to his prayers. 3. He will bring back to the promised land and the privilege of oovenant relationship. That is a matter of course, seeing he already hears them. And yet none the less imposing will their redemption be. How complete the restoration ! how miraculous! Its supernatural character is to be as evident as that of their dispersion. That which under anomalous circumstances has been a difficult, unauthorized, or intermittent exercise will become easy, honourable, and constant, as they will return to their own land, where every man will sit under his own vine and fig-tree, none daring to make him afraid. In the case of the Christian this promise will be fulfilled in either the gradual conquest of the world by the Ohuroh, or entrance into heaven. But there is a foretaste of this in the self-conquest and perfected i;piritual life of the regenerate soul,-M. Vers. 20-32.-.771,e punishment offalse prophets. The opposition between Jeremiah and the false prophets is one of the most interesting phenomena. of the period to which these prophecies belong. It is a real battle, albeit not with earthly weapons. The question between them could not be suffered to remain doubtful, as it involved immense consequences. A striking correspondence is discovered in the antagonism to the labours of the apostles. There is the same barefaced, fearless lying and dishonesty, the same terrible denunciation of judgment, (We are reminded of the sentence on Simon Magus, "Thy silver perish with thee," etc., Acts viii. 20-24; and the reply to An.a.nias, the high priest, "God shall smite thee, thou whited wall," Acts xxiii. 3.) How is the latter to be regarded? Evidently aa the word of God through his true servants, and not as the expression of vindictive feeling. In regard to this funisbm.ent notie@- cH. x:ux. 1-32.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. 595