II. Its bugqestive interest. An element of pathos and mystery. Perhaps the end better served in this than in the alternative way. Conceivable that the reading, the authoritative publication, and the supernatural interest, may have been enhanced rather than otherwise by the substitution. 1. The community of true service. How different in importance, etc., the function of the prophet in receiving the message and communicating it from that of the scribe I yet both are on this occasion indispensable. One man's service the condition of another's or its complement. All true service associated in relation to final ends and rewards (John iv. 37, 38 ; Heb. xi. 40). 2. An impression of urgency produced. This was the message it was absolutely important for Judah to bear at that time. God always speaks at the right time, even when that requires extraordinary efforts and unusual means. The latter on this occasion must hftve eloquently suggested that now was the "accepted time " and " the day of salva- tion." 3. 2%e earnestness of the prophet and his Jnspirer. Jeremiah was the true friend of the nation and the devoted servant of Jehovah, therefore he did not excuse himself from the task because of its difficulties, 4. How inevitable the message / It was not to be evaded or suppressed. From the prison or hiding-place the prophet will still be heard.
III. Its ethics. Service of the kind here described was justifiable only on the supposi- tion that the original or principal in responsibility is unable to do his own proper work, or that it can be better done by being delegated to another. Jeremiah is careful to explain why he does not do it himself. Would that the reasons for non-attendance in the sanctuary, or inoccupation in Spiritual work, were as real and valid in the case of professing Christians! 1. On the part of the person instead of whom the service was rendered. He did not ask his substitute to do what he could do himself; and what he alone could do was done with the utmost care and diligence. It is calculated that the writing out of the roll from the prophet's dictation occupied nine months, and many delays and difficulties must have been experienced. His solicitude, too, on behalf of the proper delivery of the message by Baruch, is very instructive and inspiring. He sought (God's end in) the repentance of the people, and everything was to conspire to produce this. By example and moral influence he sought to fill Baruch with his own enthusiasm, and a sense of the importance of the task. The preacher is the vicar of the Church ; so with the Sunday school teacher, etc. By prayer, sympathy, ind loving co-operation Christians should encourage these. 2. On the part of the substi- tute. Baruch sought to do his part faithfully and with minute exactitude. His success in producing an impression proved how he exerted himself. A sense of responsibility should ever rest upon those who minister in the house of God. A certain measure ol boldness was also required to do such a thmg. The people or their princes might turn igainst him. Boldness is essential to the preaching of the gospel. But there cannot
OH. XXXVI. 1—32.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH. Ill
but occur to most readers the parallelism there is in all this to what Christ has under- taken for us. Another temple from whose service we are " shut up " by reason of personal unfitness, or that we remain in the flesh. Christ, our great Forerunner and Vicar, or Substitute, has entered into its holy of holies, with his own eternal sacrifice and intercession. Upon him all our hope must be placed ; we must follow him in spirit ; and we must imitate Jeremiah in the zeal and labour with which we execute our part of the great process of sairation. — ^M.
Vers. 9 — 16.— Free course of the Word of God. The progress made hy the messages of Jeremiah when read aloud in the scribe's cell at the entrance of the higher court of the temple was very remarkable, and fully justified the great care and ingenuity with which it was efiected.
I. A SANCTIFIED INOBNTnTT SHOULD BB SHOWN IN TAKING ADYANTAOB OF OB CKEATING SUITABLE OCCASIONS FOB MAKING KNOWN QtOV'» WoRD. .
II. The Word of God is commended by its general and special human interest.
III. When one instrumentality fails, God will baise up another, until hib
HESBAOE ATTAINS ITS DESTINATION. — M.
Vers. 16 — 18.—Th» mystery of inspiration. L The natubal desibb to solve it.
1. This has its root in mere curiosity. A desire to know for the sake of knowing — laudable enough in itself, but in danger of passing into irreverence and idle speculation. Religious movements and supernatural phenomena have excited this wonder in all ages. Religion interests many as a problem, where it is refused attention or respect as a law.
2. ITiis is increased hy the attraction of the forbidden and unlawful. An anticipation of the " profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science [the knowledge] falsely so called," against which Timothy is warned (1 Tim. vi. 20 ; cf. Col. ii. 8, 18, 19). The sin of Simon Magus was analogous. 3. It is also increased hy the natural mincPt intolerance of mystery. There are multitudes who would willingly inquire how a miracle may be wrought, who have no desire to learn why. It is humiliating to our natural pride to realize that there are so many things in the universe we cannot explain. The authority which the supernatural lends to the doctrines and ravelations of religion is resented.
II. How it is satisfied. 1. The direction of their questioning. They asked concerning the mechanical process — the manner, etc., of the prophet, apparently unconscious that the real problem lay behind all that. "Did the prophet stammer whilst the inspiration was up<m him? Was his manner wild or strange?" Now, we know that the manner of the person receiving Divine inspiration may be perfectly indistinguishable from that of those who are under ordinary human conditions. But they fell into the error of supposing that, when that was determined, the solution of the problem would be advanced. 2. Where it ended. There is no further curiosity ; they remain at arm's length from the kernel of the whole question. The moral conditions of it are of no concern to them. Theirs is the radical carelessness with respect to religion as such which characterizes the carnal mind. Their inquiries ended just where they ought to have begun ; just as those of many nowadays — lingerers or loiterers in the porch, who never enter into the temple. Conscience could answer much that curiosity leaves untouched. The deep necessity of God-communion for every man and nation to which it witnesses, is what the whole process of revelation presupposes. God will not leave man alone. His su{ ernatural workings continually witness to hig presence and authority. And man cannot do without God and his Word. — M.