MPV Commentary

Counteract the Assurances Given by False Prophets of a Speedy Restoration.

The letter was written to the remaining elders who had survived from the time they were taken captive with Jeconiah. The other elders among the captives had either died naturally or violently.

Queen Nehushta, daughter of Elnathan (2 Kings 24:8, 15), reigned jointly with her son Zedekiah. All men of authority were taken away to prevent them from organizing a rebellion. Jeremiah wrote this letter while the calamity was still recent, to console the captives under it.

Zedekiah sent ambassadors to Babylon (Jeremiah 51:59). Whatever the object of the embassy, it shows that Zedekiah only reigned at the pleasure of the king of Babylon, who might have restored Jeconiah if he had pleased. Hence, Zedekiah permitted Jeremiah's letter to be sent, not only because Hananiah's death gave greater credit to the prophet's words but also because the letter accorded with his own wish that the Jews should remain in Chaldea until Jeconiah's death.

Hilkiah was the high priest who found the book of the law in the house of the Lord and showed it to Shaphan, the scribe (2 Kings 22:8). The sons of Hilkiah and Shaphan inherited a respect for sacred things from their fathers. In Jeremiah 36:25, Gemariah interceded with King Jehoiakim that the prophet's roll should not be burned.

Build houses in Babylon, as it will be your home for a long time (Jeremiah 29:5). This is in opposition to the false prophets' suggestions who told the captives their captivity would soon cease. Jeremiah tells them that it will be of long duration and that they should build houses, settle down, and make lives for themselves in Babylon.

God's will is that the seed of Abraham should not fail (Genesis 22:17). This gives consolation to the captives and the hope of an ultimate return, though not immediately. They are to bear the Babylonian yoke patiently and pray for their masters while the captivity lasts. God's good time will come when they will pray for Babylon's downfall.

The people wish to be deceived, so let them be deceived (Jeremiah 23:25-26). Not mere credulity misleads men but their own perverse love of darkness rather than light. The Jews caused or made the prophets to tell them encouraging dreams, as in Exodus 32:1-4.

This proves that the seventy years date from Jeconiah's captivity, not from the last captivity (Jeremiah 25:11; Daniel 9:2). The specification of time was to curb the impatience of the Jews lest they should hasten before God's time. This is a promise of a return.

I know that I alone have thoughts and purposes that you do not know, though you pretend to know (Isaiah 55:9). You have no thoughts of peace but only of evil because you cannot conceive how deliverance can come to you. The moral malady of man is twofold – at one time vain confidence; then, when that is disappointed, despair.

Fulfilled (Daniel 9:3, etc.). When God designs mercy, He puts it into the hearts of His people to pray for the mercy designed. When such a spirit of prayer is poured out, it is a sure sign of coming mercy. Go to the temple and other places of prayer; contrasted with their previous sloth as to seeking God.

True religion teaches patient submission, not sedition, even though the prince be an unbeliever (Leviticus 26:40-42). In all states of life, let us not throw away the comfort we may have because we do not have all we would have. There is here a foretaste of gospel love towards enemies.

The people in this city will not go forth; even your brethren still left dwelling there shall themselves also be cast into exile (Jeremiah 29:16-19). He mentions "the throne of David" lest they should think that, because David's kingdom was to be perpetual, no severe, though temporary, chastisements could interpose.

Hebrew, "horrible," or nauseous, from a root, "to regard with loathing" (Jeremiah 24:8). Removed to all kingdoms (Deuteronomy 28:25).

A curse upon those who have spoken falsely in my name (Jeremiah 29:6; 18:16; 19:15). Zedekiah will be taken and a curse pronounced upon him, that is, a formula of imprecation.

The Lord make you like Zedekiah (Genesis 48:20; Isaiah 65:15). Roasted in the fire – a Chaldean punishment (Daniel 3:6).

A second communication which Jeremiah sent to Babylon after the messenger who carried his first letter had brought a letter from the false prophet Shemaiah to Zephaniah, etc., condemning Jeremiah and reproving the authorities for not having apprehended him.

Nehelamite was a name derived either from his father or from a place; alluding at the same time to the Hebrew meaning, "a dreamer" (Jeremiah 29:8).

In thy name – without sanction of "the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel," which words stand in antithesis to "thy name" (John 5:43). Zephaniah was one of those sent to consult Jeremiah by Zedekiah (Jeremiah 21:1; 37:3).

Zephaniah's promotion as second priest, owing to Jehoiada's being then in exile, was unexpected. Shemaiah thus accuses him of ingratitude towards God who had so highly exalted him before his regular time.

Ye should be officers for every man – ye should apprehend every false prophet like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:1). Mad – inspired prophets were often called by the ungodly (2 Kings 9:11; Acts 26:24).

Prison – rather, "the stocks" (Jeremiah 20:2). Stocks – from a root, "to confine"; hence rather, "a narrow dungeon." According to Deuteronomy 17:8-9, the priest was judge in such cases but had no right to put into the stocks; this right he had assumed to himself in the troubled state of the times.

Of Anathoth – said contemptuously, as "Jesus of Nazareth" (John 1:46). Maketh himself – as if God had not made him one, but he himself had done so.

Referring to Jeremiah's first letter to Babylon (Jeremiah 29:5).

Zephaniah read the charge to the prophet that he should not be condemned without a hearing. This accords with Shemaiah's imputation against Zephaniah for want of zeal against Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:26, 27). Hence the latter was chosen by King Zedekiah as one of the deputation to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 21:1; 37:3).

This resumes the thread of the sentence which began at Jeremiah 29:25 but was left there not completed. Here, in this thirtieth verse, it is completed, not however in continuity, but by a new period.

Not...a man to dwell – (Deuteronomy 28:18). Not...behold the good – as he despised the lawful time and wished to return before the time God had expressly announced, in just retribution he should not share in the restoration from Babylon at all. Rebellion – going against God's revealed will as to