139 lines
18 KiB
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139 lines
18 KiB
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Title = 'Lamentations of Jeremiah';
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SubTitle1 = 'Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET';
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SubTitle3 = 'CHAPTER (ELEGY) 3';
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<p id="Chapter3" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER (ELEGY) 3
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<p id="La3_1"><a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,'1-66');">Lam 3:1-66</a>.
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<p>Jeremiah proposes his own experience under afflictions, as an example as to how the Jews should behave under theirs, so as to have hope of a restoration; hence the change from <i>singular</i> to <i>plural</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,22,'40-47');">Lam 3:22, 40-47</a>). The stanzas consist of three lines, each of which begins with the same <i>Hebrew</i> letter.
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<p><i>Aleph.</i>
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<p><b>1-3. seen affliction</b>—his own in the dungeon of Malchiah (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',38,6);">Jer 38:6</a>); that of his countrymen also in the siege. Both were types of that of Christ.
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<p id="La3_2"><b>2. darkness</b>—calamity.
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<br><br><b>light</b>—prosperity.
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<p id="La3_3"><b>3. turneth...hand</b>—to inflict again and again new strokes. "His hand," which once used to protect me. "Turned...turneth" implies <i>repeated</i> inflictions.
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<p id="La3_4"><i>Beth.</i>
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<p><b>4-6.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Job',16,8);">Job 16:8</a>).
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<p id="La3_5"><b>5. builded</b>—mounds, as against a besieged city, so as to allow none to escape (so <a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,7,9);">Lam 3:7, 9</a>).
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<p id="La3_6"><b>6. set me</b>—HENDERSON refers this to the custom of placing the dead in a sitting posture.
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<br><br><b>dark places</b>—sepulchers. As those "dead long since"; so Jeremiah and his people are consigned to oblivion (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',88,5,6);">Psa 88:5-6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',143,3);">143:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',37,13);">Eze 37:13</a>).
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<p id="La3_7"><i>Gimel.</i>
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<p><b>7-9. hedged</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Job',3,23);">Job 3:23</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hsa',2,6);">Hsa 2:6</a>).
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<br><br><b>chain</b>—literally, "chain of <i>brass.</i>"
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<p id="La3_8"><b>8. shutteth out</b>—image from a door <i>shutting out</i> any entrance (<a onclick="return mV('Job',30,20);">Job 30:20</a>). So the antitype. Christ (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',22,2);">Psa 22:2</a>).
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<p id="La3_9"><b>9. hewn stone</b>—which coheres so closely as not to admit of being broken through.
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<br><br><b>paths crooked</b>—thwarted our plans and efforts so that none went right.
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<p id="La3_10"><i>Daleth.</i>
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<p><b>10-13.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Job',10,16);">Job 10:16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hsa',13,7,8);">Hsa 13:7-8</a>).
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<p id="La3_11"><b>11. turned aside</b>—made me wander out of the right way, so as to become a prey to wild beasts.
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<br><br><b>pulled in pieces</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Hsa',6,1);">Hsa 6:1</a>), as a "bear" or a "lion" (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,10);">Lam 3:10</a>).
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<p id="La3_12"><b>12.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Job',7,20);">Job 7:20</a>).
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<p id="La3_13"><i>He.</i>
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<p><b>13-15. arrows</b>—literally, "<i>sons</i>" of His quiver (compare <a onclick="return mV('Job',6,4);">Job 6:4</a>).
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<p id="La3_14"><b>14.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',20,7);">Jer 20:7</a>).
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<br><br><b>their song</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',69,12);">Psa 69:12</a>). Jeremiah herein was a type of Messiah. "All my people" (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',1,11);">Jhn 1:11</a>).
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<p id="La3_15"><b>15. wormwood</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',9,15);">Jer 9:15</a>). There it is regarded as <i>food,</i> namely, the leaves: here as <i>drink,</i> namely, the juice.
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<p id="La3_16"> <i>Vau.</i>
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<p><b>16-18. gravel</b>—referring to the <i>grit</i> that often mixes with bread baked in ashes, as is the custom of baking in the East (<a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Pro',20,17);">Pro 20:17</a>). We fare as hardly as those who eat such bread. The same allusion is in "Covered me with ashes," namely, as bread.
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<p id="La3_17"><b>17.</b> Not only present, but all hope of future prosperity is removed; so much so, that I am as one who never was prosperous ("I forgat prosperity").
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<p id="La3_18"><b>18. from the Lord</b>—that is, my hope derived from Him (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',31,22);">Psa 31:22</a>).
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<p id="La3_19"><i>Zain.</i>
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<p><b>19-21.</b> This gives the reason why he gave way to the temptation to despair. The <i>Margin,</i> "Remember" does not suit the sense so well.
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<br><br><b>wormwood...gall</b>— (<a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Jer',9,15);">Jer 9:15</a>).
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<p id="La3_20"><b>20.</b> As often as <i>my soul calls them to remembrance, it is humbled</i> or bowed down in me.
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<p id="La3_21"><b>21. This</b>—namely, what follows; the view of the divine character (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,22,23);">Lam 3:22-23</a>). CALVIN makes "this" refer to Jeremiah's infirmity. His very weakness (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,19,20);">Lam 3:19-20</a>) gives him hope of God interposing His strength for him (compare <a onclick="return mV('Psa',25,11,17);">Psa 25:11, 17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',42,5,8);">42:5, 8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',12,9,10);">2Cr 12:9-10</a>).
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<p id="La3_22"><i>Cheth.</i>
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<p><b>22-24.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Mal',3,6);">Mal 3:6</a>).
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<p id="La3_23"><b>23.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',33,2);">Isa 33:2</a>).
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<p id="La3_24"><b>24.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Num',18,20);">Num 18:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',16,5);">Psa 16:5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',73,26);">73:26</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',119,57);">119:57</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',10,16);">Jer 10:16</a>). To have God for our portion is the one only foundation of hope.
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<p id="La3_25"><i>Teth.</i>
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<p><b>25-27.</b> The repetition of "good" at the beginning of each of the three verses heightens the effect.
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<br><br><b>wait</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',30,18);">Isa 30:18</a>).
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<p id="La3_26"><b>26. quietly wait</b>—literally, "be in silence." Compare <a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,28);">Lam 3:28</a>, that is, to be patiently quiet under afflictions, resting in the will of God (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',37,7);">Psa 37:7</a>). So Aaron (<a onclick="return mV('Lev',10,2,3);">Lev 10:2-3</a>); and Job (<a onclick="return mV('Job',40,4,5);">Job 40:4-5</a>).
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<p id="La3_27"><b>27. yoke</b>—of the Lord's <i>disciplinary</i> teaching (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',90,12);">Psa 90:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',119,71);">119:71</a>). CALVIN interprets it, The Lord's <i>doctrine</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',11,29,30);">Mat 11:29-30</a>), which is to be received in a docile spirit. The earlier the better; for the old are full of prejudices (<a onclick="return mV('Pro',8,17);">Pro 8:17</a>;<a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Ecc',12,1);">Ecc 12:1</a>). Jeremiah himself received the yoke, both of doctrine and chastisement in his youth (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',1,6,7);">Jer 1:6-7</a>).
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<p id="La3_28"><i>Jod.</i> <p><b>28-30.</b> The fruit of true docility and patience. He does not fight against the yoke (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',31,18);">Jer 31:18</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Act',9,5);">Act 9:5</a>), but accommodates himself to it.
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<br><br><b>alone</b>—The heathen applauded magnanimity, but they looked to display and the praise of men. The child of God, in the absence of any witness, "alone," silently submits to the will of God.
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<br><br><b>borne it upon him</b>—that is, because he is used to bearing it on him. Rather, "because He (the Lord, <a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,26);">Lam 3:26</a>) <i>hath laid it on</i> him" [VATABLUS].
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<p id="La3_29"><b>29.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Job',42,6);">Job 42:6</a>). The mouth in the dust is the attitude of suppliant and humble submission to God's dealings as righteous and loving in design (compare <a onclick="return mV('Ezr',9,6);">Ezr 9:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',14,25);">1Cr 14:25</a>).
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<br><br><b>if so be there may be hope</b>—This does not express doubt as to whether GOD be willing to receive the penitent, but the <i>penitent's</i> doubt as to himself; he whispers to himself this consolation, "Perhaps there may be hope for me."
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<p id="La3_30"><b>30.</b> Messiah, the Antitype, fulfilled this; His practice agreeing with His precept (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',50,6);">Isa 50:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',5,39);">Mat 5:39</a>). Many take patiently afflictions from God, but when man wrongs them, they take it impatiently. The godly bear resignedly the latter, like the former, as sent by God (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',17,13);">Psa 17:13</a>).
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<p id="La3_31"><i>Caph.</i>
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<p><b>31-33.</b> True repentance is never without hope (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',94,14);">Psa 94:14</a>).
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<p id="La3_32"><b>32.</b> The punishments of the godly are but for a time.
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<p id="La3_33"><b>33.</b> He does not afflict any willingly (literally, "from His heart," that is, as if He had any pleasure in it, <a onclick="return mV('Eze',33,11);">Eze 33:11</a>), much less the godly (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',12,10);">Hbr 12:10</a>).
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<p id="La3_34"><i>Lamed.</i>
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<p><b>34-36.</b> This triplet has an infinitive in the beginning of each verse, the governing finite verb being in the end of <a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,36);">Lam 3:36</a>, "the Lord approveth not," which is to be repeated in each verse. Jeremiah here anticipates and answers the objections which the Jews might start, that it was by His connivance they were "crushed under the feet" of those who "turned aside the right of a man." God approves (literally, "seeth," <a onclick="return mV('Hab',1,13);">Hab 1:13</a>; so "behold," "look on," that is, look on <i>with approval</i>) not of such unrighteous acts; and so the Jews may look for deliverance and the punishment of their foes.
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<p id="La3_35"><b>35. before...face of...most High</b>—Any "turning aside" of justice in court is done <i>before the face of God,</i> who Is present, and "regardeth," though unseen (<a onclick="return mV('Ecc',5,8);">Ecc 5:8</a>).
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<p id="La3_36"><b>36. subvert</b>—to wrong.
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<p id="La3_37"><i>Mem.</i>
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<p><b>37-39.</b> Who is it that can (as God, <a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Psa',33,9);">Psa 33:9</a>) effect by a word anything, without the will of God?
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<p id="La3_38"><b>38. evil...good</b>—<i>Calamity</i> and prosperity alike proceed from God (<a onclick="return mV('Job',2,10);">Job 2:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',45,7);">Isa 45:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Amo',3,6);">Amo 3:6</a>).
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<p id="La3_39"><b>39. living</b>—and so having a time yet given him by God for repentance. If sin were punished as it deserves, <i>life</i> itself would be forfeited by the sinner. "Complaining" (murmuring) ill becomes him who enjoys such a favor as life (<a onclick="return mV('Pro',19,3);">Pro 19:3</a>).
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<br><br><b>for the punishment of his sins</b>—Instead of blaming God for his sufferings, he ought to recognize in them God's righteousness and the just rewards of his own sin.
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<p id="La3_40"><i>Nun.</i>
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<p><b>40-42. us</b>—Jeremiah and his fellow countrymen in their calamity.
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<br><br><b>search</b>—as opposed to the torpor wherewith men rest only on their outward sufferings, without attending to the cause of them (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',139,23,24);">Psa 139:23-24</a>).
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<p id="La3_41"><b>41. heart with...hands</b>—the antidote to hypocrisy ( <a onclick="return mV('Psa',86,4);">Psa 86:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Ti',2,8);">1Ti 2:8</a>).
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<p id="La3_42"><b>42. not pardoned</b>—The Babylonian captivity had not yet ended.
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<p id="La3_43"><i>Samech.</i>
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<p><b>43-45. covered</b>—namely, thyself (so <a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Lam',3,44);">Lam 3:44</a>), so as not to see and pity our calamities, for even the most cruel in seeing a sad spectacle are moved to pity. Compare as to God "hiding His face," <a onclick="return mV('Psa',10,11);">Psa 10:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',22,25);">22:25</a>.
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<p id="La3_44"><b>44.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,8);">Lam 3:8</a>). The "cloud" is our sins, and God's wrath because of them (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',44,22);">Isa 44:22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',59,2);">59:2</a>).
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<p id="La3_45"><b>45.</b> So the apostles were treated; but, instead of murmuring, they rejoiced at it (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',4,13);">1Cr 4:13</a>).
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<p id="La3_46"><i>Pe.</i>
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<p><b>46-48.</b> <i>Pe</i> is put before <i>Ain</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,43,46);">Lam 3:43, 46</a>), as in <a onclick="return mV('Lam',2,16,17);">Lam 2:16-17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Lam',4,16,17);"> 4:16-17</a>. (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',2,16);">Lam 2:16</a>.)
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<p id="La3_47"><b>47.</b> Like animals fleeing in fear, we fall into the snare laid for us.
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<p id="La3_48"><b>48.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',4,19);">Jer 4:19</a>).
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<p id="La3_49"><i>Ain.</i>
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<p><b>49-51. without...intermission</b>—or else, "because there is no intermission" [PISCATOR], namely, Of my miseries.
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<p id="La3_50"><b>50. Till</b>—His prayer is not without hope, wherein it differs from the blind grief of unbelievers.
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<br><br><b>look down,</b> etc.— (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',63,15);">Isa 63:15</a>).
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<p id="La3_51"><b>51. eye affecteth mine heart</b>—that is, causeth me grief with continual tears; or, "affecteth my <i>life</i>" (literally, "soul," <i>Margin</i>), that is, my health [GROTIUS].
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<br><br><b>daughters of...city</b>—the towns around, dependencies of Jerusalem, taken by the foe.
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<p id="La3_52"><i>Tzaddi.</i>
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<p><b>52-54. a bird</b>—which is destitute of counsel and strength. The allusion seems to be to <a onclick="return mV('Pro',1,17);">Pro 1:17</a> [CALVIN].
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<br><br><b>without cause</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',69,4);">Psa 69:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',109,3,4);">109:3-4</a>). Type of Messiah (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',15,25);">Jhn 15:25</a>).
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<p id="La3_53"><b>53. in...dungeon</b>— (<a href= "#" onclick="return mV('Jer',37,16);">Jer 37:16</a>).
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<br><br><b>stone</b>—usually put at the mouth of a dungeon to secure the prisoners (<a onclick="return mV('Jos',10,18);">Jos 10:18</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Dan',6,17);">Dan 6:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',27,60);">Mat 27:60</a>).
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<p id="La3_54"><b>54. Waters</b>—not literally, for there was "no water" (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',38,6);">Jer 38:6</a>) in the place of Jeremiah's confinement, but emblematical of overwhelming calamities (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',69,2);">Psa 69:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',124,4,5);">124:4-5</a>).
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<br><br><b>cut off</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',38,10,11);">Isa 38:10-11</a>). I am abandoned by God. He speaks according to carnal sense.
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<p id="La3_55"><i>Koph.</i>
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<p><b>55-57. I called out of dungeon</b>—Thus the spirit resists the flesh, and faith spurns the temptation [CALVIN], (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',130,1);">Psa 130:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jon',2,2);">Jon 2:2</a>).
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<p id="La3_56"><b>56. Thou hast heard</b>—namely formerly (so in <a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,57,58);">Lam 3:57-58</a>).
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<br><br><b>breathing...cry</b>—two kinds of prayer; the sigh of a prayer silently <i>breathed</i> forth, and the loud, earnest cry (compare "prayer," "<i>secret speech,</i>" <a onclick="return mV('Isa',26,16);">Isa 26:16</a>, <i>Margin;</i> with "cry aloud," <a onclick="return mV('Psa',55,17);">Psa 55:17</a>).
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<p id="La3_57"><b>57. Thou drewest near</b>—with Thy help (<a onclick="return mV('Jam',4,8);">Jam 4:8</a>).
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<p id="La3_58"><i>Resh.</i>
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<p><b>58-60.</b> Jeremiah cites God's gracious answers to his prayers as an encouragement to his fellow countrymen, to trust in Him.
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<br><br><b>pleaded</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',35,1);">Psa 35:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mic',7,9);">Mic 7:9</a>).
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<p id="La3_59"><b>59.</b> God's past deliverances and His knowledge of Judah's wrongs are made the grounds of prayer for relief.
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<p id="La3_60"><b>60. imaginations</b>—devices (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',11,19);">Jer 11:19</a>).
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<br><br><b>Their vengeance</b>—means <i>their malice.</i> Jeremiah gives his conduct, when plotted against by his foes, as an example how the Jews should bring their wrongs at the hands of the Chaldeans before God.
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<p id="La3_61"><i>Schin.</i>
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<p><b>61-63. their reproach</b>—their reproachful language against me.
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<p id="La3_62"><b>62. lips</b>—speeches.
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<p id="La3_63"><b>63. sitting down...rising up</b>—whether they sit or rise, that is, whether they be actively engaged or sedentary, and at rest "all the day" (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,62);">Lam 3:62</a>), I am the subject of their derisive songs (<a onclick="return mV('Lam',3,14);">Lam 3:14</a>).
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<p id="La3_64"><i>Tau.</i>
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<p><b>64-66.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Jer',11,20);">Jer 11:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ti',4,14);">2Ti 4:14</a>).
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<p id="La3_65"><b>65. sorrow</b>—rather, <i>blindness</i> or <i>hardness;</i> literally, "a veil" covering their heart, so that they may rush on to their own ruin (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',6,10);">Isa 6:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Cr',3,14,15);">2Cr 3:14-15</a>).
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<p id="La3_66"><b>66. from under...heavens of...Lord</b>—<i>destroy</i> them so that it may be seen everywhere <i>under heaven</i> that thou sittest above as Judge of the world.
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