I. Jeremiah's exceptional case showed that, in the uidst of the most terbiblb OAiiAMiTiES, God is free to work out the peaceable ends and gracious rewards OF HIS KINGDOM. He was hut one out of the entire nation, and might easily have been overlooked. Indeed, his sympathetic brothcrliness haii all but des.royed the advantage BO specially designed for him. An interpositiun like this, so marked and resolute, had an evidently supernatural origin, and bore a moral or spiritual character. If his welfare could be so thoroughly and carefully attended to in the midst of such heart-rending and widely disastrous circumstances, the whole of the political changes then taking place must have been a portion of the moral order of the world, and under the direct superintendence of God. In the midst of judgment he remembers and pursues his merciful schemes. The darkest hour of a nation's or an individual's history is charged with ministries of light, and the most awful judgments do not interfere with the per- sistent will of God to save and to bless mankind. And how nicely adjusted and delicately balanced are the deserts of saints and transgressors I
II. Some of the purposes to be served bt this providence. 1. It showed thett the ealamity did not arise from a mere necessity or accident of circumstances. Even the heathen Nebuchadnezzar learnt that. 2. Spiritual guidance and comfort were secured for those left behind, 3. Jeremiah learnt to perceive and obey the Divine will at respected his future. His sallies from Jerusalem proved how needful the lesson. 4. Qod commended his love to his servant in making gooi accrue to him in the general evil of the time. 6. The reverence to Oud and consideration towards his prophet shown h/ heathen princea put to shame the unbelief and disobedience of the chosen people. — M.
Ver. 14. — " So h« dwelt among the people." In how many respects wm Jeremiah a type of Christ ! And just in these points was he an example to tlie spiritual worker and the Christian preacher.
L The position of the true pastob. 1. How miserably anomalous—^ pastor without a flock, or living at a distance from them 1 There is something wrong with one or other when they remain apart. Oaly now and then, and for brief periods, can solitude be the place of duty. 2. The cure of souls can only be followed successfully by constant intercourse with them. The experience, sympathy, and moral influence acquired by the minister in the midst of his flock will stand him in good stead in directing him as to what to teach, and preparing for it a favourable reception.
II. The spirit op the true pastob. 1. Absence of ambition. The promises 6f the Chaldeans were much more brilliant than the future that was likely to lie before him in Palestine. It was not comfort, worldly emolument, or personal advancement that he sought. Like Moses, he chose " rather to suffer afHietion with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season " (Heb. xi. 25). 2. Sympathy with the miseries and spiritual needs of men. The interests of the Divine kingdom would be better served by his remaining at home. Here was work ready to his hand, and he dare not leave it. The servant of God has " to preach as a dying man to dying men." 3. ZVwe patriotism. What intense affection he had for the land of his fathers 1 This was at the very core of the religion of the ancient Jew. All the promises (if God and realiza- tions of his kingdom on earth seemed to be associated with the Holy Land. This sentiment has been universalized and made more personal by the Spirit of Jesus. " Our kind " must have our constant care and prayers. " The enthusiasm for humanity" must support and inspire the spiritual worker. — ^M.
Yen. 16 — 18. — Faith's reward. I. Ih being acknowledged. 1, The character of fts work recognized. Jeremiah is to speak in the Name of " the God of Israel," as if to ■ay that henceforth Ebed-Melech is to be regarded as a true Israelite, having his destiny bound up with God's people. That which he did is attributed to no merely passing eompassion, but to faith : " Thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Iiori" So God perceives the leoret motives of actions. 2. In being further and specially esereiietL
166 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH, l^h. xxxix. 1—18
Definite direction is given to the attention of Ebed-Meleoh, and he is encouraged to loch forward to the fulfilment of the words spoken by Jeremiah. As a further confirmation of his siiare in the Divine events about to take place, he is assured of personal safety — an assurance as yet only a matter of faith and not of sight. One of the surest proofs oi true faith being acknowledged by God, is its being thus tested and exercised. Men without faith may be let alone; but the believer, even if his faith be as a grain ol mustard seed, will be taken hold of by the providence and grace of God, and led " from faith to faith." Those who trust in him he will reward with his confidence and the custody of his mysteries. " Lord, increase our faith."
II. 1» BEINQ VBBIPIBD. 1. The htlitveT will see tfie fulfilment of what he has believed. He will be honoured by being made a witness of the truth of God. The moral tendencies and spiritual consummations that make up the kingdom of God in the world will be revealed. Experience will illustrate and confirm faith, and faith will interpret experience and render it spiritually profitable. 2. Se himself will he saved from ike destiny of the wicked. This is " the physical and palpable reward of faith ; " but it is also one which may open up the way to future spiritual blessedness. Ebed- Meleoh is obviously spared, not only from the suff'ering of the exile, but from the degrad- ing influences of it, and the rejection from covenant blessings it, in so many instances, involved. Those who " receive a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward." — M.
Vers. 1—8. — 2%e retribution of God. What an accumulation of woe do the eight verses with which this chapter opens present I Let thought dwell on the several statements made here, and let imagination seek to realize what they must have meant to those upon whom the calamities they speak of came ; and it will be seen, in vivid lurid light., that the retribution of God upon sin and sinners has been in the past no mere empty threat, and it will lead to the salutary suggestion, so questioned now, that his like threatened retribution in the future is no empty threat either. How unreasonable, in the face of historic facts such as those told of here, and in the face ol actual facts of to-day in which dread sufi'ering and awful calamity are seen overtaking wicked doers, to doubt that God will do the like again should necessity arise 1 But yet many do dpubt and deny the teachings of God's Word on this matter. Note, therefore —
I. The gboitndb on which this tbuth ib questioned. They are such as these: