Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 5. If thou hast run with the footmen] If the smallest evils to which thou art exposed cause thee to make so many bitter complaints, how wilt thou feel when, in the course of thy prophetic ministry, thou shalt be exposed to much greater, from enemies much more powerful? Footmen may here be the symbol of common evil events; horsemen, of evils much more terrible. If thou have sunk under small difficulties, what wilt thou do when great ones come? And if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst] I believe the meaning is this, "If in a country now enjoying peace thou scarcely thinkest thyself in safety, what wilt thou do in the swellings of Jordan? in the time when the enemy, like an overflowing torrent, shall deluge every part of the land?" The overflowing of Jordan, which generally happened in harvest, drove the lions and other beasts of prey from their coverts among the bushes that lined its banks; who, spreading themselves through the country, made terrible havoc, slaying men, and carrying off the cattle.
Perhaps by footmen may be meant the Philistines, Edomites, &c., whose armies were composed principally of infantry; and by the horses, the Chaldeans, who had abundance of cavalry and chariots in their army. But still the words are proverbial, and the above is their meaning.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The disobedient Jews reproved. (Jer. 11:1-10) Their utter ruin. (Jer 11:11-17) The people would be destroyed who sought the prophet's life (Jer. 11:18-23)
Jer. 11:1-10 God never promised to bestow blessings on his rationa creatures, while they persist in wilful disobedience. Pardon an acceptance are promised freely to all believers; but no man can be saved who does not obey the command of God to repent, to believe in Christ, to separate from sin and the world, to choose self-denial an newness of life. In general, men will hearken to those who speak of doctrines, promises, and privileges; but when duties are mentioned they will not bend their ear.
Jer. 11:11-17 Evil pursues sinners, and entangles them in snares, ou of which they cannot free themselves. Now, in their distress, their many gods and many altars stand them in no stead. And those whose ow prayers will not be heard, cannot expect benefit from the prayers of others. Their profession of religion shall prove of no use. When trouble came upon them, they made this their confidence, but God ha rejected it. His altar shall yield them no satisfaction. The remembrance of God's former favours to them shall be no comfort unde troubles; and his remembrance of them shall be no argument for their relief. Every sin against the Lord is a sin against ourselves, and s it will be found sooner or later.
Jer. 11:18-23 The prophet Jeremiah tells much concerning himself, the times he lived in being very troublesome. Those of his own city plotte how they might cause his death. They thought to end his days, but he outlived most of his enemies; they thought to blast his memory, but it lives to this day, and will be blessed while time lasts. God knows all the secret designs of his and his people's enemies, and can, when he pleases, make them known. God's justice is a terror to the wicked, but a comfort to the godly. When we are wronged, we have a God to commi our cause to, and it is our duty to commit it to him. We should als look well to our own spirits, that we are not overcome with evil, but that by patient continuance in praying for our enemies, and in kindnes to them, we may overcome evil with good _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew כי3588 את854 רגלים7273 רצתה7323 וילאוך3811 ואיך349 תתחרה8474 את854 הסוסים5483 ובארץ776 שׁלום7965 אתה859 בוטח982 ואיך349 תעשׂה6213 בגאון1347 הירדן׃3383
