Jeremiah 40:2-3 - Homilies By S. Conway

The blind seeing, the seeing blind.

This heathen captain, who could not be expected to know the truth, who was, as it were, born blind as to the truth of God, sees clearly that truth, and declares it; whilst the people of Judah and Jerusalem, their kings, their priests, their nobles, all of whom regarded themselves as knowing the truth, who, as in John 9:41 , said, "We see," are found to be completely blind as to that truth. Note herein -

I. HOW CLEAR WAS THE RECOGNITION OF GOD . He ascribes all to "the Lord thy God." He recognizes the prophet as sent of God ( John 9:3 ), "According as he hath said" He traces their calamities to their true cause—sin against God. He recognizes that Babylon and her troops are but ministers of God to do his will.

II. THE PROBABLE SOURCES OF HIS KNOWLEDGE . Perhaps:

1 . The general belief that each nation had its own deity.

2 . Yet more, the prophecies of Jeremiah.

3 . Also the strength of Jerusalem. Never, apart from the people's sin, has such a fortress been overthrown.

4 . The madness of the people. Quem deus vult perdere prius dementat. Only a God forsaken people could have thrown away their well being as these had done.

5 . The judgments that came upon them.

III. WHAT SUCH FACTS AS THESE —the blind seeing, etc.— REVEAL .

1 . How clear the light of truth which God has given! Were it not so clear, such as this heathen would not see it.

2 . How dense the darkness which persistent sin spreads over the soul! Hence the "seeing blind."

3 . How awful the doom of those who seeing, see not! Cf. Matthew 11:1-30 ; "Woe unto thee, Chorazin," etc.!—C.