ERE we find the guilt of Jerusalem specifically stated. The holy city was become the bloody city (verse 2), a city that shed blood in her midst.
Jerusalem’s full time was come (verse 4) and she was about to be exposed, in spite of all her seeming religiousness; indeed it was because of uniting the professed service of Jehovah, the true God, with idolatry and every sin, that the city was now to be to the heathen a reproach, and a mocking to all countries. “Much vexed,” in verse 5, in modern English is “full of tumult.”
Verses 6 to 12 enumerate many of the ways of wickedness which were ping on in Jerusalem, offenses against both God and man; the key to this dreadful course is seen in the end of verse 12; “thou hast forgotten Me, saith the Lord Jehovah.”
It was amid all this that the prophet Jeremiah lived and testified.
The world today is, in outward appearance, somewhat better than what is written of Jerusalem, but what does God not see? Some things are now being done almost openly, that before it was customary to cover up. The tide of iniquity deepens and widens. Surely the Lord’s coming must be near at hand.
Verse 14: There is no thought of a reckoning day in those who reject God’s grace; and indeed believers are prone to overlook the promise of the Scriptures that we, too, are to give account of ourselves. See Romans 14:10-1210But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:10‑12), and 2 Corinthians 5:1010For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10), the latter including all men, though the judgment of the wicked at the great white throne will be a very different thing from the manifestation of the children of God before the judgment seat of Christ.
Verse 15: The scattering of the Jews is a proof of the truth of God’s Word; it is said that they are in most of the countries of the world, but they have yet to learn to trust in God, for the great majority are far from Him in heart.
In verses 17 to 22 The house of Israel is dealt with under a new figure—dross, the less valuable metals found with silver ore when it is melted in the furnace. Once more the figure presents the certainty of overwhelming judgment, for Jerusalem was to be the furnace, and there the anger and fury of a long patient God would expend itself upon them who had despised Him and His goodness.
From verse 23 to the end of the chapter, God is stating the iniquities of the house of Israel which compelled the uplifting of His hand in an unexpected infliction. Prophets, priests, princes and people are dealt with separately, each according to the character and the measure of guilt.
The prophets, whom we may believe to be the false prophets whom Satan raised up to deceive the people, are compared with a roaring lion, the king of beasts as it is called.
The princes are like wolves, not so bold, but just as destructive. Murder is charged to both, told there may have been a partnership in crime between the prophets and princes, in view of the language of verse 28.
The priests, who should have been up, holders of God’s truth, did violence to His law, and profaned His holy things. The presence of God and their being called as the sons of Aaron to serve in the temple for Him on behalf of a sinful people, did not reach the hearts or consciences of these men who were indifferent to their calling.
The people of the land used oppression and practiced robbery; the poor and needy and strangers suffered from them. Was there one man in the whole country that should make up the fence, stand in the breach before God on behalf of a truly separated Jerusalem and Israel? There was none, for the people were all gone after the service of Satan.
The last verse should be read, “And I will pour out...I will consume,... will I recompense...” It refers to the then pending siege, capture and complete destruction of Jerusalem.
ML-11/03/1935