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Jeremiah 18:13
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11 “Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. aReturn now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings bgood.” ’ ”  

God’s Warning Rejected

12 And they said, a“That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one1 obey the bdictates of his evil heart.”  
13 Therefore thus says the Lord:
a“Ask now among the Gentiles,
Who has heard such things?
The virgin of Israel has done ba very horrible thing. 
14 Will a man1 leave the snow water of Lebanon,
Which comes from the rock of the field?
Will the cold flowing waters be forsaken for strange waters? 
15 “Because My people have forgotten aMe,
They have burned incense to worthless idols.
And they have caused themselves to stumble in their ways,
From the bancient paths,
To walk in pathways and not on a highway, 
16 To make their land adesolate and a perpetual bhissing;
Everyone who passes by it will be astonished
And shake his head. 
17 aI will1 scatter them bas with an east wind before the enemy;
cI will show them the back and not the face
In the day of their calamity.”  
Commentaries:
Matthew Henry
<< Jeremiah 18:12   Jeremiah 18:14 >>


Jeremiah 18:1-23

God's power over his creatures is represented by the potter. (1-10) The Jews exhorted to repentance, and judgments foretold. (11-17) The prophet appeals to God. (18-23)

Verses 1-10 While Jeremiah looks upon the potter's work, God darts into his mind two great truths. God has authority, and power, to form and fashion kingdoms and nations as he pleases. He may dispose of us as he thinks fit; and it would be as absurd for us to dispute this, as for the clay to quarrel with the potter. But he always goes by fixed rules of justice and goodness. When God is coming against us in judgments, we may be sure it is for our sins; but sincere conversion from the evil of sin will prevent the evil of punishment, as to persons, and to families, and nations.

Verses 11-17 Sinners call it liberty to live at large; whereas for a man to be a slave to his lusts, is the very worst slavery. They forsook God for idols. When men are parched with heat, and meet with cooling, refreshing streams, they use them. In these things men will not leave a certainty for an uncertainty; but Israel left the ancient paths appointed by the Divine law. They walked not in the highway, in which they might travel safely, but in a way in which they must stumble: such was the way of idolatry, and such is the way of iniquity. This made their land desolate, and themselves miserable. Calamities may be borne, if God smile upon us when under them; but if he is displeased, and refuses his help, we are undone. Multitudes forget the Lord and his Christ, and wander from the ancient paths, to walk in ways of their own devising. But what will they do in the day of judgment!

Verses 18-23 When the prophet called to repentance, instead of obeying the call, the people devised devices against him. Thus do sinners deal with the great Intercessor, crucifying him afresh, and speaking against him on earth, while his blood is speaking for them in heaven. But the prophet had done his duty to them; and the same will be our rejoicing in a day of evil.


 
<< Jeremiah 18:12   Jeremiah 18:14 >>

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