Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Jeremiah
Book: Jeremiah
Chapter: 22
Overview:
Justice is recommended, and
Destruction threatened in case of
disobedience.
(1-9) The
Captivity of
Jehoiakim, and the
End of
Jeconiah.
(10-19) The doom of the royal family.
(20-30)
1-9 The
King of
Judah is spoken to, as
Sitting upon the
Throne
of
David, the
Man after
God's own
Heart. Let him follow his
Example, that he may have the benefit of the promises made to
him. The way to preserve a government, is to do the duty of it.
But
Sin will be the ruin of the houses of princes, as
Well as of
meaner men. And who can contend with destroyers of
God's
preparing?
God destroys neither persons, cities, nor nations,
except for
Sin; even in this world he often makes it
Plain for
what crimes he sends
Punishment; and it will be clear at the
Day
of judgement.
10-19 Here is a sentence of
Death upon two
Kings, the wicked
sons of a very pious
Father.
Josiah was prevented from seeing
the evil to come in this world, and removed to see the good to
come in the other world; therefore, weep not for him, but for
his son
Shallum, who is likely to live and die a wretched
Captive. Dying saints may be justly envied, while living sinners
are justly pitied. Here also is the doom of
Jehoiakim.
No doubt
it is lawful for princes and great men to build, beautify, and
furnish houses; but those who enlarge their houses, and make
them sumptuous, need carefully to watch against the workings of
vain-
Glory. He built his houses
By unrighteousness, with
Money
gotten unjustly. And he defrauded his workmen of their
Wages.
God notices the wrong done
By the greatest to
Poor servants and
labourers, and will repay those in
Justice, who will not, in
Justice, pay those whom they employ. The greatest of men must
look upon the meanest as their neighbours, and be just to them
accordingly.
Jehoiakim was unjust, and made
No Conscience of
shedding innocent
Blood.
Covetousness, which is the root of all
evil, was at the bottom of all. The children who despise their
parents' old fashions, commonly come short of their real
excellences.
Jehoiakim knew that his
Father found the way of
duty to be the way of comfort, yet he would not tread in his
steps. He shall die unlamented, hateful for oppression and
cruelty.
20-30 The Jewish state is described under a threefold
character. Very haughty in a
Day of peace and safety. Very
fearful
On Alarm of trouble. Very much cast down under pressure
of trouble. Many never are ashamed of their sins till brought
By
them to the last extremity. The
King shall close his days in
Bondage. Those that think themselves as signets
On God's right
Hand, must not be secure, but fear lest they should be plucked
thence. The Jewish
King and his family shall be carried to
Babylon. We know where we were born, but where we shall die we
know not; it is enough that our
God knows. Let it be our care
that we die in
Christ, then it will be
Well with us wherever we
die, though it may be in a far country. The Jewish
King shall
be despised. Time was when he was delighted in; but all those in
whom
God has
No pleasure, some time or other, will be
So
lowered, that men will have
No pleasure in them. Whoever are
childless, it is the
Lord that writes them
So; and those who
take
No care to do good in their days, cannot expect to prosper.
How little is earthly grandeur to be depended upon, or
flourishing families to be rejoiced in! But those who hear the
voice of
Christ, and follow him, have eternal
Life, and shall
never perish, neither shall any enemy pluck them out of his
almighty hands.