Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. The word which came unto Jeremiah] The chapters in the remaining parts of this prophecy seem strangely interchanged. This subject has been mentioned in the introduction, and some tables given; and to these the critical reader is requested to refer. The discourse here was delivered about the ninth year or the reign of Zedekiah. This chapter, observes Dr. Blayney, contains the first of those prophecies which were delivered by Jeremiah, subsequent to the revolt of Zedekiah, and the breaking out of the war thereupon; and which are continued on to the taking of Jerusalem, related in chap. 29., in the following order: ch. 21., 34., 37., 32., 33., 38., 39.
Pashur the son of Melchiah] There can be little doubt that this Pashur was a different person from him who was called the son of Immur in the preceding chapter.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The doom of Pashur, who ill-treated the prophet. (Jer. 20:1-6) Jeremia complains of hard usage. (Jer. 20:7-13) He regrets his ever having bee born. (Jer. 20:14-18)
Jer. 20:1-6 Pashur smote Jeremiah, and put him in the stocks. Jeremia was silent till God put a word into his mouth. To confirm this, Pashu has a name given him, "Fear on every side." It speaks a man not only i distress, but in despair; not only in danger, but in fear on ever side. The wicked are in great fear where no fear is, for God can make the most daring sinner a terror to himself. And those who will not hea of their faults from God's prophets, shall be made to hear them from their consciences. Miserable is the man thus made a terror to himself His friends shall fail him. God lets him live miserably, that he may be a monument of Divine justice.
Jer. 20:7-13 The prophet complains of the insult and injury he experienced. But Jer. 20:7 may be read, Thou hast persuaded me, and was persuaded. Thou wast stronger than I; and didst overpower me by the influence of thy Spirit upon me. So long as we see ourselves in the way of God, and of duty, it is weakness and folly, when we meet with difficulties and discouragements, to wish we had never set out in it The prophet found the grace of God mighty in him to keep him to his business, notwithstanding the temptation he was in to throw it up Whatever injuries are done to us, we must leave them to that God to whom vengeance belongs, and who has said, I will repay. So full was he of the comfort of God's presence, the Divine protection he was under and the Divine promise he had to depend upon, that he stirred u himself and others to give God the glory. Let the people of God ope their cause before Him, and he will enable them to see deliverance.
Jer. 20:14-18 When grace has the victory, it is good to be ashamed of our folly, to admire the goodness of God, and be warned to guard ou spirits another time. See how strong the temptation was, over which the prophet got the victory by Divine assistance! He is angry that his first breath was not his last. While we remember that these wishes ar not recorded for us to utter the like, we may learn good lessons from them. See how much those who think they stand, ought to take heed les they fall, and to pray daily, Lead us not into temptation. How frail changeable, and sinful is man! How foolish and unnatural are the thoughts and wishes of our hearts, when we yield to discontent! Let u consider Him who endured the contradiction of sinners against himself lest we should be at any time weary and faint in our minds under ou lesser trials _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew הדבר1697 אשׁר834 היה1961 אל413 ירמיהו3414 מאת853 יהוה3068 בשׁלח7971 אליו413 המלך4428 צדקיהו6667 את853 פשׁחור6583 בן1121 מלכיה4441 ואת853 צפניה6846 בן1121 מעשׂיה4641 הכהן3548 לאמר׃559
