In each of the servants of God of olden time, as we learn about them in the Bible, we see the results of training in God's school, in the lives they led or the words they were given to speak, Not, of course, that they did not err; they surely did; imperfection is stamped on everything of man. We see, in Abraham's life, faith in constant exercise; David habitually kept God before him, particularly before he became king; Samson was an example of true separation to God. But we need not present further examples. The divine Author of the Bible (verse 1) names two of His servants here because of their deep love for His people and earnest prayers for their blessing, which He heard and answered.
Such was Judah's state, however, that though Moses and Samuel were to stand before Him on their behalf, God would not hearken. "Send them out of My sight and let them go forth," is the word for sinful and unrepentant Judah.
Should they ask, Whither shall we go forth?, Jeremiah was to tell them of death and captivity. Death was the appointment of some, but not at the end of a long, happy life; they would be cut off because of their sins, (see chapter 21:1). For others there would be death by the sword, violent death, at the hand of an enemy. Still others were to suffer death through starvation, when a worse famine than they had known should be their experienced. (see 2 Kings 25:3,3And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land. (2 Kings 25:3) and Jeremiah 19:99And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them. (Jeremiah 19:9)). For the survivors there was captivity. Verses 3 and 4 enlarge upon this fearful prospect. Some would be aroused at Jeremiah's warning of judgment, but the mass, like many today, were hardened by sin.
Jeremiah's faithfulness to God had made him a man of strife and of contention to the whole land. He was cursed by everyone (verse 10). But his bitter cup was sweetened by the knowledge that God was for him, "Verily I will set thee free for thy good"—the true reading of the early part of verse 11. The enemy would be caused to treat Jeremiah well in the time of evil and of affliction (see chapter 39:11-14).
Verses 12 to 14 are addressed to the unrepentant mass of Judah. "Will iron break? iron from the north? and bronze?" (verse 12, N.T.) shows that it was a strong power that was coining against them. Thus would the people be made to pass into a land (Babylon) that they knew not.
Verse 15 is the complaint of Jeremiah, and evidently of others joined with him, a believing remnant of Judah. Christians do not seek vengeance on their enemies; rather they seek their blessing- and pray for them even while suffering from them, (Acts 7:54-60,54When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:54‑60) Romans 12:14, 1914Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. (Romans 12:14)
19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (Romans 12:19)). Israel, under a different dispensation, not of grace going out to God's enemies, but looking on to His certain righteous rule over the earth, could rightly and according to His mind, desire that their enemies (God's unrepentant enemies) should be punished; and they will be. This spirit is much in evidence in the Psalms, which are for Israel, though Christians profit from their reading.
Note that the key to a right position before God is the knowledge of His word (verse 16); it leads (1) to a separation from company once enjoyed, taking sides with Him as against the world of the ungodly (verse 17); here Satan assails, and would hinder the progress of the renewed soul with questions, even to doubting the sincerity of God (verse 18); but the word of God, given its place, leads the believer (2) to know his acceptance before God, and (3) to lead a life pleasing to Him, seeking what is precious in God's sight, and rejecting what is "vile."
O, to know more truly this God-honoring path through the world!
One word more is needed to complete this guidebook-in-miniature for the believer; "Let them return unto thee, but return not thou unto them'' (verse 19).
Jeremiah, as we have seen, felt keenly the place of rejection in which. he found himself, and he may have been tempted to return to the easier path he had left, with the thought that his opportunities for serving his Master would be wider there than in the narrow path of holy separation; but "return not thou unto them" was a positive direction which is still good for all who desire to honor their Lord. In this position he would be preserved, for God was for him and with him (verses 20-21).