Slidden back … backsliding . The verb is the same verb (in another conjugation) as in Jeremiah 8:4 , and the noun is a derivative from it. The Authorized Version, therefore, has slightly weakened the force of the argument. They hold fast deceit . They cling to a false view of their relation to their God (comp. Jeremiah 4:2 ; Jeremiah 5:2 ). read more
I hearkened and heard . The Divine Judge condescends to speak after the manner of men. He will be his own witness; for it is his own people, Jeshurun, which is on its trial. Not aright . It is a compound expression, equivalent to "insincerely," "untruly" (comp. Isaiah 16:6 ). Repented … turned ; rather, repenteth … turneth (or, returneth ). To his course . The Hebrew text, sometimes represented as having a different reading ("courses," in the plural) from the margin, really... read more
The way home. The text suggests much concerning this way from the far country of sin to the home of our Father and God. The Lord is here lamenting that none of the people of Jerusalem were walking in it. Note— I. THE STAGES OF THE WAY . 1. Realization of the ruin wrought by our sin . The soul is represented as contemplating this ruin, and asking, "What have I done?" This is the first stage. 2. Repentance . Each one is to repent of" his wickedness." We are not... read more
The appeal to the regularity of animal instincts reminds us of Isaiah 1:3 . Yea, the stork, etc. The minatory birds obey their instinct with the most unfailing regularity. Those referred to are: (3 and 4) the crane and the swallow, or rather, "the swift and the crane." These birds are again mentioned together in Isaiah 38:14 (the psalm of Hezekiah), where special reference is made to the penetrating quality of their note. "The whooping or trumpeting of the crane rings through the night... read more
A lesson from the birds. It is interesting to observe that the Scripture references to natural history are hot directed so much to theological arguments as to moral lessons. While questions concerning the being and nature of God absorb almost the exclusive attention of the natural theologian, the prophet, who assumes the belief of his hearers in the immanence of God in Nature, is more concerned to show how she rebukes man for his own shortcomings and incites to goodness by her mute... read more
How do ye say, We are wise ? Jeremiah is evidently addressing the priests and the prophets, whom he so constantly described as among the chief causes of Judah's ruin (comp. verse 10; Jeremiah 2:8 , Jeremiah 2:26 ; Jeremiah 4:9 ; Jeremiah 5:31 ), and who, in Isaiah's day, regarded it as an unwarrantable assumption on the part of that prophet to pretend to instruct them in their duty ( Isaiah 28:9 ). The law of the Lord is with us . "With us;" i . e . in our hands and mouths.... read more
Untrustworthy literature. I. LITERATURE MAY HAVE MANY ATTRACTIONS AND YET BE UNTRUSTWORTHY . 1. Authority . They were official prophets and teachers whom Jeremiah opposed. Errors gain power when they are pronounced ex cathedra . The belief in papal infallibility is but one instance of a common human weakness. 2. Pretentiousness . The self-styled wise men of Jeremiah's age were confident and boastful. The world is too ready to take a man at his own... read more
Peace, peace; when there is no peace. The present condition of the country, the evils that lowered upon the horizon,—these alike bore their message even to the natural conscience. If Israel was in the right way, and really understood the will of the Lord to do it, why these scandals, miseries, and impending evils? Again, the better to reach the perception of those who were thus unable to draw the inference for themselves, the condemnation was to be in kind—a sort of elementary lesson in... read more
The exposure of pseudo-wisdom. I. THE CLAIM MADE . Those on whom Jeremiah presses his appeals for a change of purpose reply, if not by plain words, at all events by equally plain actions, that they are so wise in their own conceits as to need no guidance from an outsider. A profound belief in one's own insight and skill may of course be justified by results; such a belief has been a very important factor in many great achievements. But it is also to be noticed that to have this... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 8:4-11
Backsliding in its worst forms. All departures from God are evil, but some are only temporary, and are quickly followed by repentance, return, and restoration. There are others, however, of a far more serious kind, and we have in these verses a great deal told us concerning them. We are told of some of— I. THEIR CHARACTERISTICS . 1. So contrary to men ' s wonted ways . For when men find that they have brought evil on themselves, they will at once seek to undo such evil ( ... read more