Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 6. Wherefore a lion] Nebuchadnezzar, according to the general opinion; who is called here a lion for his courage and violence, a bear for his rapaciousness, and a leopard for his activity. Dahler supposes the Scythians to be intended, both here and in chap. iv. 7.
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 על5921 כן3651 הכם5221 אריה738 מיער3293 זאב2061 ערבות6160 ישׁדדם7703 נמר5246 שׁקד8245 על5921 עריהם5892 כל3605 היוצא3318 מהנה2007 יטרף2963 כי3588 רבו7231 פשׁעיהם6588 עצמו6105 משׁבותיהם׃4878
