Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 7 · Jeremiah · Chapter 21
CHAP. XXI.
JEremiah having upon his hard usage by Pashur Chap. 20. made his complaint Vers. 1.to God, and by all means sought to stir him up with speed to be revenged upon such a generation of mock-Gods, and fighters against him; now seeth the judgement beginning by Nebuchadnezzar, which he had so long threatned, in the ninth year of Zedekiah his reign, as we may see 2 Kings 25. 1, 2. For it is not to be doubted, but that was the time of Zedekiah his sending to Ieremiah here spoken of: and therefore this comes in by hysteron-proteron in this place; for Ierusalem was not besieged till Chap. 32. and Iehojachim reigned, Chap. 25. who was before Zedekiah, and after him Iehojachim. Pashur said here to be sent, was not the same Priest before spoken of, but another of that name, whom the King thought to be more gracious with the Prophet, and so the more likely to obtain some comfortable answer from him. But Ieremiah nothing moved by this honour done by him, by the King himself, in sending Embassadors thus, as it were, unto him, returns a terrible answer, even what the Lord said unto him; as it becometh every faithfull Minister of God to do, without respect of persons, declaring his Word truly and fully, without detracting or altering it in any thing: This Pashur yet seeing Ieremiah his inflexibility, counsels the King to put Deut. 4. 2.him to death, Ier. 38.
Execute judgement in the morming. Here the Propher is sent to the Court, after that the King had sent to him, and he is bidden to say, Hear the Word of the Vers. 12.Lord (O house of David;) not to honour the King the more, by mentioning so worthy a King as David, from whom he was descended; but meet with him in his vain confidence, because he was of his line, that he should continue in his Royall Dignity, by vertue of the promise made to David, and to his seed, 2 Sam. 7. For if he executed judgement, he sheweth that he should better provide for the establishment of his Throne, from which he should otherwise be suddenly removed. And he saith, Execute judgment in the morning. That is, diligently, without any further delay, doing justice to every one that was oppressed; not deferring to hear the cause of the widow and fatherless, because they were poor and could not bribe him, as the rich could; a great sin taxed Esa. 1. 23, 24. Vatablus, In the morning, before that by drinking and excess he had Vatabl.made himself unfit to judge aright. Note hence, that no priviledge of alliance to the most excellent, nor humbling a mans self outwardly before God and his Servants, will prevail for mercy in time of danger, so much as breaking off from sin; Note. and especially the sin of a mans Calling, as oppression and injustice in Judges. For Zedekiah was of Davids line, and being in danger, humbled himself to send to Ieremiah; yet he was not for this accepted of, no more than Ahab; but turning from sin makes acceptable, Isa. 1. 16, 17, 18.
I am against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain. That is, O Vers. 13.Ierusalem, called also a valley, Isa. 22. 1. because compassed about with Mountains, although it stood high, and it was firm as a Rock, and a strong defence to the fielding round about. And for the strength of the place they were confident against all enemies: but the Lord threatneth to come against them, and then what are the strongest holds to defend men? Mystically it is called valley, because base and brought low by sin, having nothing now eminent or excellent in it.
And I will kindle a fire in the Forrest thereof. He continueth to threaten Ierusalem, calling the streets of houses, that stood so thick as trees in the Forrest of Vers. 14.Lebanon, a Forrest: the fire which he threatens to kindle therein, being the fire wherewith the Caldees should burn them all down: and to a Forrest they are likened, because without any good fruit; according to which he saith, that he would recompense them, in the former part of the verse. For what are trees good for that bear no good fruit, but to be hewen down, and cast into the fire? Luke 3. 7.And this is opposed to that which they had said before, verse 13. Who shall come to our houses? of the house of the King, as the head of the Forrest of Lebanon: See also Chap. 22. 6. Some will have Ierusalem set forth by the name of a Forrest, not so much for the houses therein, as for the Towns about; but he speaks plainly of the City it self, which might for the magnificent buildings therein of Cedars out of the Forrest of Lebanon, wherein they gloried, be called the Forrest, and set forth but as fuell for the fire, that the thing wherein they had gloried, might be turned into matter of misery and afrightment, when they should see it all of a light fire.