JEREMIAH.

A. M. cir. 3417. the captivity of my people Israel | strangers shall no more and Judah, saith the LORD: and themselves of him.

The great blessings.

A. M. cir. 3417.
B. C. cir. 587.
Ol. XLVIII. 2.
Tarquinii Prisci,
R. Roman.,
cir. annum. 30.

S

W

B. C. cir, 587. Ol. XLVIII. 2. Tarquinii Prisci,

13 There is none to plead thy the palace shall remain after the A. M. cir. 3417.
cause, that thou mayest be manner thereof.
bound up thou hast no heal-
ing medicines.

r

voice

19 And out of them shall pro-
ceed thanksgiving and the
of them that make merry:

R. Roman.,

cir. annum 30.

and I will multiply

e

14 All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with them, and they shall not be few; I will also the wound of an enemy, with the chastise- glorify them, and they shall not be small. ment" of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine 20 Their children also shall be as aforetime, iniquity; because thy sins were increased. and their congregation shall be established be15 Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy fore me, and I will punish all that oppress them. sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine 21 And their nobles shall be of themselves, iniquity: because thy sins were increased, If and their governor shall proceed from the have done these things unto thee. midst of them and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.

16 Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them shall go into captivity; and they that spoil theé shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.

17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after. 18 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwelling-places; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and

W

Chap.

4 Heb. for binding up, or pressing. Chap. viii. 22.- Lam. i. 2. Job xiii. 24; xvi. 9; xix. 11. u Job xxx. 21.- ." Chap. xv. 18.- Exod. xxiii. 22; Isa. xxxiii. 1; xli. 11; chap. x. 25.—y Chap. xxxiii. 6.– - Ver. 3; chap. xxxiii. 7, 11. Psa. cii. 13.- bOr, little hill.

v. 6.

h

22 And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

23 Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.

24 The fierce anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: min the latter days ye shall consider it.

Isa. xxxv. 10; li. 11; chap. xxxi. 4, 12, 13; xxxiii. 10, 11. d Zech. x. 8.- e Isa. i. 26. fGen. xlix. 10. - Num. xvi. 5. Chap. xxiv. 7; xxxi. 1, 33; xxxii. 38; Ezek. xi. 20; xxxvi. 28; xxxvii. 27.- Chap. xxiii. 19, 20; xxv. 32.Heb. cutting. 1 Or, remain.

Gen. xlix. l.

I will also glorify them] I will put honour upon them every where, so that they shall be no longer conanush temptible. This will be a very great change, for they are now despised all over the earth.

Verse 20. Their children also] They shall have the education of their own children as formerly. And their congregation] Their religious assemblies.

Verse 16. They that devour thee] The Chaldeans, Shall be devoured] By the Medes and Persians. All that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.] The Assyrians were destroyed by the Babylonians; the Babylonians, by the Medes and Persians; the Egyp Shall be established] Being, in the latter days, intians and Persians were destroyed by the Greeks, un-corporated with those "who serve the Lord their God, der Alexander. All these nations are now extinct; but the Jews, as a distinct people, still exist.

Verse 18. The city shall be builded upon her own heap] Be re-edified from its own ruins. See the book of Nehemiah, passim.

And the palace shall remain] Meaning, the king's house shall be restored; or, more probably, the temple shall be rebuilt; which was true, for after the Babylonish captivity it was rebuilt by Nehemiah, &c. By the tents, distinguished from the dwelling-places of Jacob, we may understand all the minor dispersions of the Jews, as well as those numerous synagogues found in large cities.

Verse 19. I will multiply them] They shall be very numerous; even where at present they have but

tents.

and worship the Messiah, the son of David."
Verse 21. Their nobles shall be of themselves]
Strangers shall not rule over them; and—

Their governor shall proceed from the midst of them] Both Nehemiah and Zerubbabel, their nobles and governors after the return from Babylon, were Jews.

Verse 22. Ye shall be my people] The old covenant shall be renewed.

Verse 23. The whirlwind of the Lord] A grievous tempest of desolation,—

Shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.] On Nebuchadnezzar and the Chaldeans.

Verse 24. In the latter days ye shall consider it.] By the latter days the Gospel dispensation is generally meant; and that restoration which is the principal topic

TEREMIAH.

Israel promised.

me of the Gospel, and saved from the maledictions under cet hey which they now groan. Why do not the Jews read Derry their own prophets more conscientiously?

CHAPTER XXXI.

e gesing in a beautiful vision represented at a distant period. Mail regard for Israel, and promising to restore them to their land

mear, proclaiming on Mount Ephraim the arrival of the great ze erme to gather unto Zion, 6. Upon which God resumes the speech; Leading them tenderly by the way, and making them happy in The world are called upon to consider with deep attention this great arernied by a very happy invention. Rachel, the mother of Joseph aatsen wum ter tomb, in a city of Benjamin near Jerusalem, looking about menting their fate, as none of them are to be seen in the land of their uses muà the assurance that they are not lost, and that they shall in due mater order and beautiful scene immediately succeeds. Ephraim, (often He laments his past errors, and expresses the most earnest desires va, as a tender parent, immediately forgives him, 18-20, The virgin of page de aturuing home, 21, 22; and the vision closes with a promise of 2 sa and Judah in the latter days, 23-26. The blessed condition of Is

beautifully contrasted with their afflicted state during the general mert of the chapter the promises to the posterity of Jacob of the imsing peace and prosperity, the universal diffusion of righteousness, mazier a general restoration in Gospel times, are repeated, enlarged on, and * pares, 29–40.

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i and religious the umes of 1982 chapters contain ecessarily be s out circum

at the return

that, after this restoration, they should no more fall under the dominion of foreigners, but be governed by princes and magistrates of their own nation, independently of any but God, and David their king. But this was not the case with the Jews who returned from Babylon. They then indeed had a leader, Zerubbabel, one of their own nation, and also of the family of David; but both the nation and their leader continued still in a state of vassalage, and the most servile dependence upon the Persian monarchy. And when the Grecian monarchy succeeded, they changed their masters only, but not their condition; till at length under v, nor have the Asmonean princes they had for a while an indeople who re- pendent government of their own, but without any title Judah only, to the name of David. At last they fell under the Nebuchadnez-Roman yoke; since which time their situation has been y should the such as not to afford the least ground to pretend that pavity of the promised restoration has yet taken place. It reAs sich were car-mains therefore to be brought about in future under the of Assyria; reign of the Messiah, emphatically distinguished by persons, hav- the name of David; when every particular circumstance x at least, to predicted concerning it will no doubt be verified by a a mevduals have distinct and unequivocal accomplishment. There is no dulle us to particular date annexed to this prophecy, whereby to lete and ascertain the precise time of its delivery. But it may huuself, not unreasonably be presumed to have followed immeSection of diately after the preceding one, in which the restorapumised tion of the people from their Babylonish captivity is in

B. C. cir. 587.

OL. XLVIII. 2. rest. Tarquinii Prisci,

R. Roman.,

cir. annum 30,

of Israel promised.

an A. M. cir. 3417. B. C. cir. 587.

I have loved thee with everlasting love: therefore with

3 The LORD hath appeared loving-kindness have I 1 drawn d of old unto me, saying, Yea, thee.

O1. XLVIII. 2. Tarquinii Prisci, R. Roman.,

cir, annum 30.

Num. x. 33; Deut. i. 33; Psa. xcv. 11; Isa. lxiii. 14.—d Heb. Rom. xi. 28, 29.- Or, have I extended loving-kindness unto from afar. -e Mal. i. 2.

thee. Hos. xi. 4.

and two new personages are successively introduced, in order to diversify the same subject, and to impress it more strongly. Rachel first; who is represented as just risen from the grave, and bitterly bewailing the

about, but none are to be seen. Her tears are dried up; and she is consoled with the assurance that they are not lost for ever, but shall in time be brought back to their ancient borders, ver. 15-17. Ephraim comes next. He laments his past undutifulness with great contrition and penitence, and professes an earnest desire of amendment. These symptoms of returning duty are no sooner discerned in him, than God acknowledges him once more as a darling child, and resolves with mercy to receive him, ver. 18-20. The virgin of Israel is then carnestly exhorted to hasten the preparations for their return; and encouraged with having the prospect of a signal miracle wrought in her favour, ver. 21, 22. And the vision closes at last with a promise that the Divine blessing should again rest upon the land of Judah; and that the men of Judah should once more dwell there, cultivating it according to the simplicity of ancient institutions, and fully discharged from every want, ver. 23-26. In the third part, by way of appendix to the vision, the following gracious promises are specifically annexed: That God would in time to come supply all the deficiencies of Israel and Judah; and would be as diligent to restore as he had ever been to destroy them; and would not any more visit the offences of the fathers upon the children, ver. 27-30. That he would make with them a better covenant than he had made with their forefathers, ver. 31-34. That they should continue his people by an ordinance as firm and as lasting as that of the heavens, ver. 35-37. And that Jerusalem should again be built, enlarged in its extent, and secure from future desolation, ver. 38-40."

direct terms foretold. From hence the transition is natural and easy to the more glorious and general restoration which was to take place in a more distant period, and was designed for the ultimate object of the national hopes and expectations. Both events are fre-loss of her children; for whom she anxiously looks quently thus connected together in the prophetic writings; and perhaps with this design, that when that which was nearest at hand should be accomplished, it might afford the clearest, and strongest, and most satisfactory kind of evidence that the latter, how remote soever its period, would in like manner be brought about by the interposition of Providence in its due season. But though this prophecy relates wholly to one single subject, it seems naturally to divide itself into three distinct parts. The first part, after a short preface, in which the prophet is required to commit to writing the matters revealed to him, commences with representing, in a style of awe and energy, the consternation and distress which, in some future day of visitation, should fall upon all nations, preparatory to the scene of Jacob's deliverance, ver. 5-9. Israel is encouraged to confide in the Divine assurance of restoration and protection, ver. 10, 11. He is prepared previously to expect a severe chastisement for the multitude of his sins; but consoled with the prospect of a happy termination, ver. 12-17. This is followed by an enumeration at large of the blessings and privileges to which the Jews should be restored upon their re-admission into God's favour, ver. 18-22. Again, however, it is declared that the anger of JEHOVAH would not subside till his purposed vengeance against the wicked should have been fully executed; and then, but not till then, an entire reconciliation would take place between him and all the families of Israel, ver. 23, chap. xxxi. 1. The second part of this prophecy begins chap. xxxi. 2, and is marked by a sudden transition to a distant period of time, represented in a vision, and embellished with a variety of beautiful scenes and images. God announces the renewal of his ancient love for Israel; and promises, in consequence thereof, a speedy restoration of their former privileges and happiness, ver. 2-5. Already the heralds have proclaimed on Mount Ephraim the arrival of the joyful day; they summon the people to reassemble once more in Zion; and promulge by special command the glad tidings of salvation which God had accomplished for them. God himself declares his readiness to conduct home the remnant of Israel from all parts of their dispersion, to compassionate and rehieve their infirmities, and to provide them with all necessary accommodations by the way, ver. 6-9. The news is carried into distant lands; and the nations are summoned to attend to the display of God's power and Verse 3. I have loved thee with an everlasting love goodness in rescuing his people from their stronger ene-Tans hy na veahabath olam ahabtich, “and mies, and in supplying them after their return with all with the old love I have loved thee." "Also, with a manner of good things to the full extent of their wants love of long standing have I loved thee."-, Blayney. and desires, ver. 10-14. Here the scene changes; "But I love thee always."—Dahler. I still bear to

Verse 1. At the same time] This discourse was delivered at the same time with the former; and, with that, constitutes the Book which God ordered the prophet to write.

Will I be the God of all the families of Israel] I shall bring back the ten tribes, as well as their brethren the Jews. The restoration of the Israelites is the principal subject of this chapter.

Verse 2. The people which were left of the sword] Those of the ten tribes that had escaped death by the sword of the Assyrians.

Found grace in the wilderness] The place of their exile; a wilderness, compared to their own land.Dahler. See Isa. xl. 3.

JEREMIAH.

4 Again, I will build thee, and | LORD, save thy people, the rem- A. M. eir. 3417 thou shalt be built, O virgin of nant of Israel. Israel thou shalt again cir. annum 30. adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make

6 For there shall be a day, that the watch-supplications will I lead them: I will cause the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.

Verse 9. They shall come with weeping] Duly peVerse 5. Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the moun-netrated with a sense of their sins, they shall deeply tains of Samaria] This was the regal city of the deplore them; and, while weeping for them, earnestly Israelites, as Jerusalem was of the Jews. supplicate God to have mercy upon them.