Jeremiah 40:4-5 - Homilies By S. Conway

A strait betwixt two.

St. Paul tells how he was in such strait. He was willing to stay, but ready to depart home to his eternal rest, which would be far better. And oftentimes we are in perplexities as to choice in the common events and circumstances of our lives. It is so difficult to see what we ought to do, what it would be best to do. Here we have an instance. The patriotic prophet had a perplexing choice put before him. Consider—

I. THE ALTERNATIVES PROPOSED .

1 . He might go to Babylon, where, no doubt, the same favour that had shown him such consideration thus far would bring him to honour there.

2 . He might stay amongst his own people. Amid their poverty, their displeasure, their disgrace.

3 . Or he might go anywhere he pleased— to Tarshish, as Jonah tried, if so he pleased.

II. THE ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST EACH .

1 . For Babylon. Safety, wealth, honour, help to his countrymen there.

2 . For staying in Israel. There he had been called; there he was yet needed; Ezekiel and Daniel were in Babylon. Against this, he had no command of God; the peril in which he would be placed.

III. THE DECISION . He resolved to stay. This come to, not because the captain (verse 5), who saw him lingering, bade him go back, but because the hardness of the duty seemed to declare it was his duty. In such cases choose what you like least. —C.