96 lines
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96 lines
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
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PriorBook = 'Isaiah';
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PriorChapter = 'Jeremiah 3';
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NextBook = 'Lamentations';
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NextChapter = 'Jeremiah 5';
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Title = 'The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah';
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SubTitle1 = 'Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET';
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SubTitle3 = 'CHAPTER 4';
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Author = ' Jamieson, Fausset & Brown';
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<p id="Chapter4" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER 4
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<p id="Jer4_1"><a onclick="return mV('Jer',4,'1-31');">Jer 4:1-31</a>. CONTINUATION OF ADDRESS TO THE TEN TRIBES OF ISRAEL.<br>(<a onclick="return mV('Jer',4,1,2);">Jer 4:1-2</a>). THE PROPHET TURNS AGAIN TO JUDAH, TO WHOM HE HAD ORIGINALLY BEEN SENT (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',4,'3-31');">Jer 4:3-31</a>).
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<p><b>1. return...return</b>—play on words. "If thou wouldest <i>return to thy land</i> (thou must first), return (by conversion and repentance) to <i>Me.</i>"
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<br><br><b>not remove</b>—no longer be an unsettled <i>wanderer</i> in a strange land. So Cain (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',4,12, 14);">Gen 4:12, 14</a>).
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<p id="Jer4_2"><b>2. And thou</b>—rather, "And <i>if</i> (carried on from <a onclick="return mV('Jer',4,1);">Jer 4:1</a>) thou shalt swear, 'Jehovah liveth,' in truth, etc.", that is, if thou shalt <i>worship</i> Him (for we <i>swear</i> by the God whom we worship; compare <a onclick="return mV('Deu',6,13);">Deu 6:13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',10,20);">10:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',19,18);">Isa 19:18</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Amo',8,14);">Amo 8:14</a>) in sincerity, etc.
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<br><br><b>and the nations</b>—Rather, this is apodosis to the "if"; <i>then</i> shall the nations bless themselves in (by) Him" (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',65,16);">Isa 65:16</a>). The conversion of the nations will be the consequence of Israel's conversion (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',102,13, 15);">Psa 102:13, 15</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',11,12);">Rom 11:12, 15</a>).
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<p id="Jer4_3"><b>3.</b> Transition to Judah. Supply mentally. All which (the foregoing declaration as to Israel) applies to Judah.
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<br><br><b>and Jerusalem</b>—that is, and <i>especially</i> the men of Jerusalem, as being the most prominent in Judea.
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<br><br><b>Break...fallow ground</b>—that is, Repent of your idolatry, and so be prepared to serve the Lord in truth (<a onclick="return mV('Hsa',10,12);">Hsa 10:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',13,7);">Mat 13:7</a>). The unhumbled heart is like ground which may be improved, being let out to us for that purpose, but which is as yet fallow, overgrown with weeds, its natural product.
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<p id="Jer4_4"><b>4.</b> Remove your natural corruption of heart (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',10,16);">Deu 10:16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',30,6);">30:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',2,29);">Rom 2:29</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Col',2,11);">Col 2:11</a>).
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<p id="Jer4_5"><b>5. cry, gather together</b>—rather, "cry fully" that is, loudly. The Jews are warned to take measures against the impending Chaldean invasion (compare <a onclick="return mV('Jer',8,14);">Jer 8:14</a>).
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<p id="Jer4_6"><b>6. Zion</b>—The standard <i>toward</i> Zion intimated that the people of the surrounding country were to fly <i>to</i> it, as being the strongest of their fortresses.
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<p id="Jer4_7"><b>7. lion</b>—Nebuchadnezzar and the Chaldeans (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',2,15);">Jer 2:15</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',5,6);">5:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Dan',7,14);">Dan 7:14</a>).
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<br><br><b>his thicket</b>—lair; Babylon.
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<br><br><b>destroyer of the Gentiles</b>—rather, "the nations" (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',25,9);">Jer 25:9</a>).
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<p id="Jer4_8"><b>8.</b> Nothing is left to the Jews but to bewail their desperate condition.
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<br><br><b>anger...not turned back</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',9,12,17,21);">Isa 9:12, 17, 21</a>).
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<p id="Jer4_9"><b>9. heart</b>—The <i>wisdom</i> of the most leading men will be utterly at a loss to devise means of relief.
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<p id="Jer4_10"><b>10. thou hast...deceived</b>—God, having even the false prophets in His hands, is here said to do that which for inscrutable purposes He <i>permits</i> them to do (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',9,12);">Exd 9:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Th',2,11);">2Th 2:11</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Jer',8,15);">Jer 8:15</a>; which passage shows that the dupes of error were <i>self-prepared</i> for it, and that God's predestination did not destroy their moral freedom as voluntary agents). The false prophets foretold "peace," and the Jews believed them; God overruled this to His purposes (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',5,12);">Jer 5:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',14,13);">14:13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',14,9);">Eze 14:9</a>).
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<br><br><b>soul</b>—rather, "reacheth to the <i>life.</i>"
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<p id="Jer4_11"><b>11. dry wind</b>—the <i>simoom,</i> terrific and destructive, blowing from the southeast across the sandy deserts east of Palestine. Image of the invading Babylonian army (<a onclick="return mV('Hsa',13,15);">Hsa 13:15</a>). Babylon in its turn shall be visited by a similar "destroying wind" (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,1);">Jer 51:1</a>).
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<br><br><b>of...high places</b>—that is, that sweeps over the high places.
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<br><br><b>daughter</b>—that is, the <i>children</i> of my people.
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<br><br><b>not to fan</b>—a very different wind from those ordinary winds employed for fanning the grain in the open air.
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<p id="Jer4_12"><b>12. full...from those places</b>—rather, "a wind <i>fuller</i> (that is, more impetuous) <i>than</i> those <i>winds</i>" (which fan the corn) (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',4,11);">Jer 4:11</a>) [ROSENMULLER].
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<br><br><b>unto me</b>—"for Me," as My instrument for executing My purpose.
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<br><br><b>sentence</b>—<i>judgments</i> against them (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',1,16);">Jer 1:16</a>).
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<p id="Jer4_13"><b>13. clouds</b>—continuing the metaphor in <a onclick="return mV('Jer',4,'11-12');">Jer 4:11-12</a>. Clouds of sand and dust accompany the simoom, and after rapid gyrations ascend like a pillar.
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<br><br><b>eagles</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',28,49);">Deu 28:49</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hab',1,8);">Hab 1:8</a>).
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<br><br><b>Woe unto us</b>—The people are graphically presented before us, without it being formally so stated, bursting out in these exclamations.
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<p id="Jer4_14"><b>14.</b> Only one means of deliverance is left to the Jews—a thorough repentance.
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<br><br><b>vain thoughts</b>—namely, projects for deliverance, such as enlisting the Egyptians on their side. GESENIUS translates, "How long <i>wilt thou harbor</i> vain thoughts?"
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<p id="Jer4_15"><b>15. For...from Dan</b>—The connection is: There is danger in delay; <i>for</i> the voice of a messenger announces the approach of the Chaldean enemy from Dan, the northern frontier of Palestine (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',8,16);">Jer 8:16</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Jer',4,6);">Jer 4:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',1,14);">Jer 1:14</a>).
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<br><br><b>Mount Ephraim</b>—which borders closely on Judah; so that the foe is coming nearer and nearer. Dan and Beth-el in <i>Ephraim</i> were the two places where Jeroboam set up the idolatrous calves (<a onclick="return mV('1Ki',12,29);">1Ki 12:29</a>); just retribution.
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<p id="Jer4_16"><b>16.</b> The neighboring foreign "nations" are summoned to witness Jehovah's judgments on His rebel people (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',6,18,19);">Jer 6:18-19</a>).
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<br><br><b>watchers</b>—that is, besiegers (compare <a onclick="return mV('2Sa',11,16);">2Sa 11:16</a>); observed or watched, that is, besieged.
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<br><br><b>their voice</b>—the war shout.
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<p id="Jer4_17"><b>17. keepers of a field</b>—metaphor from those who watch a field, to frighten away the wild beasts.
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<p id="Jer4_18"><b>18.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',2,17,19);">Jer 2:17, 19</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',107,17);">Psa 107:17</a>).
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<br><br><b>this is thy wickedness</b>—that is, the fruit of thy wickedness.
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<p id="Jer4_19"><b>19.</b> The prophet suddenly assumes the language of the Jewish state personified, lamenting its affliction (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',10,19,20);">Jer 10:19-20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',9,1, 10);">9:1, 10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',15,5);">Isa 15:5</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Luk',19,41);">Luk 19:41</a>).
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<br><br><b>at my very heart</b>—<i>Hebrew,</i> "at the walls of my heart"; the muscles round the heart. There is a climax, the "bowels," the <i>pericardium,</i> the "heart" itself.
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<br><br><b>maketh...noise</b>—moaneth [HENDERSON].
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<br><br><b>alarm</b>—the battle shout.
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<p id="Jer4_20"><b>20. Destruction...cried</b>—Breach upon breach is announced (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',42,7);">Psa 42:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',7,26);">Eze 7:26</a>). The war "trumpet"...the battle shout...the "destructions"...the havoc throughout "the whole land"...the spoiling of the shepherds "tents" (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',10,20);">Jer 10:20</a>; or, "tents" means <i>cities,</i> which should be overthrown as easily as <i>tents</i> [CALVIN]), form a gradation.
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<p id="Jer4_21"><b>21.</b> Judah in perplexity asks, How long is this state of things to continue?
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<p id="Jer4_22"><b>22.</b> Jehovah's reply; they cannot be otherwise than miserable, since they persevere in sin. The repetition of clauses gives greater force to the sentiment.
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<br><br><b>wise...evil...to do good...no knowledge</b>—reversing the rule (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',16,19);">Rom 16:19</a>) "wise unto...good, simple concerning evil."
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<p id="Jer4_23"><b>23.</b> Graphic picture of the utter desolation about to visit Palestine. "I beheld, and lo!" four times solemnly repeated, heightens the awful effect of the scene (compare <a onclick="return mV('Isa',24,19);">Isa 24:19</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',34,11);">34:11</a>).
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<br><br><b>without form and void</b>—reduced to the primeval chaos (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',1,2);">Gen 1:2</a>).
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<p id="Jer4_24"><b>24. mountains</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',5,25);">Isa 5:25</a>).
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<br><br><b>moved lightly</b>—shook vehemently.
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<p id="Jer4_25"><b>25. no man...birds</b>—No vestige of the human, or of the feathered creation, is to be seen (<a onclick="return mV('Eze',38,20);">Eze 38:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Zep',1,3);">Zep 1:3</a>).
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<p id="Jer4_26"><b>26. fruitful place</b>—<i>Hebrew, Carmel.</i>
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<br><br><b>a wilderness</b>—<i>Hebrew,</i> "<i>the</i> wilderness," in contrast to "the fruitful place"; the great desert, where <i>Carmel</i> was, there is now <i>the desert</i> of Arabia [MAURER].
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<br><br><b>cities</b>—in contrast to <i>the fruitful place</i> or field.
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<p id="Jer4_27"><b>27. full end</b>—utter destruction: I will leave some hope of restoration (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',5,10, 18);">Jer 5:10, 18</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',30,11);">30:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',46,28);">46:28</a>; compare <a onclick="return mV('Lev',26,44);">Lev 26:44</a>).
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<p id="Jer4_28"><b>28. For this</b>—on account of the desolations just described (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',5,30);">Isa 5:30</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hsa',4,3);">Hsa 4:3</a>).
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<br><br><b>not repent</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Num',23,19);">Num 23:19</a>).
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<p id="Jer4_29"><b>29. whole city</b>—Jerusalem: to it the inhabitants of the country had fled for refuge; but when it, too, is likely to fall, they flee out of it to hide in the "thickets." HENDERSON translates, "<i>every</i> city."
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<br><br><b>noise</b>—The mere noise of the hostile horsemen shall put you to flight.
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<p id="Jer4_30"><b>30. when thou art spoiled</b>—rather, "thou, O <i>destroyed</i> one" [MAURER].
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<br><br><b>rentest...face with painting</b>—Oriental women paint their eyes with stibium, or antimony, to make them look full and sparkling, the black margin causing the white of the eyes to appear the brighter by contrast (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',9,30);">2Ki 9:30</a>). He uses the term "distendest" in derision of their effort to make their eyes look large [MAURER]; or else, "rentest," that is, dost lacerate by puncturing the eyelid in order to make the antimony adhere [ROSENMULLER]. So the Jews use every artifice to secure the aid of Egypt against Babylon.
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<br><br><b>face</b>—rather, thy <i>eyes</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Eze',23,40);">Eze 23:40</a>).
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<p id="Jer4_31"><b>31. anguish</b>—namely, occasioned by the attack of the enemy.
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<br><br><b>daughter of Zion</b>—There is peculiar beauty in suppressing the name of the person in trouble, until that trouble had been fully described [HENDERSON].
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<br><br><b>bewaileth herself</b>—rather, "draweth her breath short" [HORSLEY]; "panteth."
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<br><br><b>spreadeth...hands</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',1,17);">Lam 1:17</a>).
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