Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 5. I will get me unto the great men] Those whose circumstances and rank in life gave them opportunities of information which the others could not have, for the reasons already given.
These have altogether broken the yoke] These have cast aside all restraint, have acted above law, and have trampled all moral obligations under their feet, and into their vortex the lower classes of the people have been swept away. Solon said, "The laws are like cobwebs; they entangle the small fry, but the great ones go through them, and carry all away with them."
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Exhortations and promises. (Jer. 4:1-2) Judah exhorted to repentance (Jer. 4:3-4) Judgements denounced. (Jer. 4:5-18) The approaching rui of Judah. (Jer. 4:19-31)
Jer. 4:1,2 The first two verses should be read with the last chapter Sin must be put away out of the heart, else it is not put away out of God's sight, for the heart is open before him.
Jer. 4:3,4 An unhumbled heart is like ground untilled. It is groun which may be improved; it is our ground let out to us; but it is fallow; it is over-grown with thorns and weeds, the natural product of the corrupt heart. Let us entreat the Lord to create in us a clea heart, and to renew a right spirit within us; for except a man be bor again, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Jer. 4:5-18 The fierce conqueror of the neighbouring nations was to make Judah desolate. The prophet was afflicted to see the people lulle into security by false prophets. The approach of the enemy i described. Some attention was paid in Jerusalem to outward reformation but it was necessary that their hearts should be washed, in the exercise of true repentance and faith, from the love and pollution of sin. When lesser calamities do not rouse sinners and reform nations sentence will be given against them. The Lord's voice declares tha misery is approaching, especially against wicked professors of the gospel; when it overtakes them, it will be plainly seen that the frui of wickedness is bitter, and the end is fatal.
Jer. 4:19-31 The prophet had no pleasure in delivering messages of wrath. He is shown in a vision the whole land in confusion. Compare with what it was, every thing is out of order; but the ruin of the Jewish nation would not be final. Every end of our comforts is not full end. Though the Lord may correct his people very severely, yet he will not cast them off. Ornaments and false colouring would be of n avail. No outward privileges or profession, no contrivances woul prevent destruction. How wretched the state of those who are lik foolish children in the concerns of their souls! Whatever we ar ignorant of, may the Lord make of good understanding in the ways of godliness. As sin will find out the sinner, so sorrow will, sooner of later, find out the secure _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew אלכה1980 לי אל413 הגדלים1419 ואדברה1696 אותם853 כי3588 המה1992 ידעו3045 דרך1870 יהוה3068 משׁפט4941 אלהיהם430 אך389 המה1992 יחדו3162 שׁברו7665 על5923 נתקו5423 מוסרות׃4147
