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Jeremiah
Chapter Forty
Jeremiah 40
Chapter Contents
Jeremiah is directed to go to Gedaliah. (1-6) A
conspiracy against Gedaliah. (7-16)
Commentary on Jeremiah 40:1-6
(Read Jeremiah 40:1-6)
The captain of the guard seems to glory that he had been
God's instrument to fulfil, what Jeremiah had been God's messenger to foretell.
Many can see God's justice and truth with regard to others, who are heedless
and blind as to themselves and their own sins. But, sooner or later, all men
shall be made sensible that their sin is the cause of all their miseries. Jeremiah
has leave to dispose of himself; but is advised to go to Gedaliah, governor of
the land under the king of Babylon. It is doubtful whether Jeremiah acted right
in this decision. But those who desire the salvation of sinners, and the good
of the church, are apt to expect better times from slight appearances, and they
will prefer the hope of being useful, to the most secure situations without it.
Commentary on Jeremiah 40:7-16
(Read Jeremiah 40:7-16)
Jeremiah had never in his prophecies spoken of any good
days for the Jews, to come immediately after the captivity; yet Providence
seemed to encourage such an expectation. But how soon is this hopeful prospect
blighted! When God begins a judgment, he will complete it. While pride,
ambition, or revenge, bears rule in the heart, men will form new projects, and
be restless in mischief, which commonly ends in their own ruin. Who would have
thought, that after the destruction of Jerusalem, rebellion would so soon have
sprung up? There can be no thorough change but what grace makes. And if the
miserable, who are kept in everlasting chains for the judgment of the great
day, were again permitted to come on earth, the sin and evil of their nature
would be unchanged. Lord, give us new hearts, and that new mind in which the
new birth consists, since thou hast said we cannot without it see thy heavenly
kingdom.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Jeremiah》
Jeremiah 40
Verse 1
[1] The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that
Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had
taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of
Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon.
Ramah — Ramah was a city in the tribe of Benjamin near Gibeon.
Babylon — Jeremiah was by mistake and expressly contrary to the
king's orders carried amongst the other prisoners; probably the captain of the
guard at that place called over his prisoners, and among them found the prophet
contrary to his expectation.
Verse 5
[5] Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back
also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon
hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the
people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain
of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.
Now — Jeremiah before he was gone out of the presence of
Nebuzar-adan, declaring that he was more inclined to stay in his own country,
Nebuzar-adan bid him, Go back.
Verse 8
[8] Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the
son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the
son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son
of a Maachathite, they and their men.
Ishmael — It is likely these were commanders of parties, which
either were within the city 'till it was taken, and then escaped, or where
somewhere in the country, and not so much regarded by the Chaldeans, who were
more intent upon the conquest of the city, than pursuing these little parties.
Verse 10
[10] As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah to serve the
Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits,
and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have
taken.
I will dwell — I have choice made of Mizpah, a
city upon the frontiers, to make my residence, it being a convenient place for
me to receive orders from the king of Babylon.
But ye — Gather such fruits as the country affords, as you use
to do in the times of peace.
Verse 12
[12] Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither
they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and
gathered wine and summer fruits very much.
Returned — Probably upon the king of Babylon's first invading
Judah, many fled, and more as he went on his conquests, over-running the
country; and it is likely at the taking of the city, many escaped, and fled
into several countries, as they had opportunity, or judged this or that country
would be safest; some fled to Moab, some to Ammon some to Edom, some one way,
and some another: but when they heard that the king of Babylon had set a
governor of their own religion and country over them, they came back to him;
and there being few people left in the land, which was wonderfully fruitful,
they gathered plenty of grapes, and other summer fruits.
Verse 13
[13] Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains
of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,
Moreover — They had been with him before, but now they come to
discover a conspiracy against his life.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Jeremiah》
40 Chapter 40
Verses 1-16
Verse 1
Being bound in chains.
Jeremiah in chains
There is sadness In a shackle and bitterness In bonds. Many men
part with life rather than liberty. Speaking humanly, Paul’s lot In chains
would have been intolerably irksome; but his soul was free! They could not
chain his spirit. It is melancholy to watch the attitude of a caged eagle; its
eye is dull, its plumage droops. The chain is round the spirit of the creature
of the skies. Not so with the Christian soul. “It is not the shackle on the
wrist that constitutes the slave,” said Robertson of Brighton, “but the loss of
self-respect.” In Christian service we learn to reverence self. Our only bonds
are the bonds of love. Our manhood is exalted, our service is liberty. (Christian
Commonwealth.)
Verse 3
And have not obeyed His voice.
Unheeding warnings lead to ruin
If I were in a boat on the river in the rapids, it would not be
necessary to insure my destruction that I should enter into violent controversy
with those who would urge me from the shore to take heed and come to land. All
I should have to do would be to shut my ears to their entreaty, and leave
myself alone; the current would do the rest. Neglect of the Gospel is thus just
as perilous as the open rejection of it. Indeed half the evils of our daily
life in temporal things are caused by neglect, and countless are the souls who
put off the seeking of the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof. (W.
Bates.)
──《The Biblical Illustrator》