Ver. 1. In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim.] By the date of this prophecy, compared with Jeremiah 27:12 28:1, it should seem that it lay dormant for fourteen or fifteen years ere it was recited.
Ver. 2. Make thee bonds and yokes,] i.e., Yokes with bonds, such as they are wont to be fastened with. And put them upon thy neck.] This was to the prophet, saith the Jesuit, molesta et probrosa poenitentia, a troublesome and disgraceful penance. But this was no will worship, say we; and much handsomer than the penances they put the people to in Italy, where you may see them go along the streets, saith mine author, with a great rope about their necks, as if they were dropped down from the gallows. And sometimes they wear a sausage or a swine’s pudding in place of a silver or gold chain, for a sign of their mortification, and that they may merit. A Lapide. Bee Hive of Rome.
Ver. 3. By the hand of the messengers,] i.e., Ambassadors of those neighbouring states, who might come to Zedekiah, to confederate with him against Nebuchadnezzar’s growing greatness; but all in vain, and to their own ruin. Deus quem destruit dementat. The wicked oft run to meet their bane, as if they were even ambitious of destruction.
Ver. 4. Go, tell your masters.] But they would not be warned, and were therefore ruined. So true is that of an ancient, Divinum consilium, dam devitatur, impletur: humana sapicuria, dum reluctatur, comprehendirut.
Ver. 5. I have made the earth.] And I am therefore the great proprietary and Lord paramount of all, to transfer kingdoms at my pleasure. This Nebuchadnczzar, after seven years’ apprenticeship served among the beasts of the field, had learned to acknowledge. (Daniel 4:23-25)
Ver. 6. And now have I given all these lands.] Nebuchadnezzar shall be monarch contra Gentes. Dicunt nugatores equitasse Nabuchodonosor super leonem, et infraenasse draconem. Oecolamp.
Ver. 7. And all nations shall serve him.] All the neighbouring nations, and some others more remote; but never was any man παντοκρατωρ, universal monarch, though some have styled themselves so, as did Sesostris King of Egypt: “ Qui Pharios currus regum cervicibus egit. ” Until the very time of his land come.] The greatest monarchies had their times and their turns, their rise and their ruin. And then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him.] As the Chaldeans had served themselves of the Assyrians, so did the Persians of the Chaldeans, the Greeks of the Persians, the Romans of the Greeks, the Goths and Vandals, and now the Turks, of the Romans; such an aestuaria vicissitudo there is in earthly kingdoms, such a strange uncertainty in all things here below. “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Hebrews 12:28) Let us serve him, and not serve ourselves upon him, as self-seekers do.
Ver. 8. And it shall come to pass that the nation, &c.] It is better, then, to serve a foreign prince than to perish by the sword, famine, or pestilence. It should not be grievous to any man to sacrifice all his outward comforts to the service of his life. And that will not put their neck under the yoke.] The Lord disposeth of the kingdoms of the heathens also, though in such a way as may seem to us to be mere hap hazard. That nation will I punish.] By seeking to shun a less mischief, they shall fall into a greater; if they escape frost, they shall meet with snow.
Ver. 9. Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets.] Whom the devil setteth to work to persuade you otherwise to your ruin; as he is an old manslayer, and hath his breathing devils abroad as his agents, such as are here mentioned.
Ver. 10. To remove you far from your land.] So it would prove; and such would be the event of their false prophecies.
Ver. 11. But the nations that bring their neck.] When God bids us yoke, it is best to submit. In all his commands there is so much reason for them, that if God did not enjoin them, yet it were best, in self-respects, for us to practise them; since in serving him we shall have the creatures to serve us, &c.
Ver. 12. I spake also to Zedekiah.] See on Jeremiah 27:1. Bring your necks under the yoke.] Better do so than worse: if ye will not be active in it, ye shall be passive; and that because ye would not take upon you the lighter yoke of mine obedience. “ Deus crudelius urit Quos videt invitos succubuisse sibi.” - Tibul. Eleg. 1.
Ver. 13. Why will ye die, thou and thy people?] Ec quae haec pertinacia? If thou hast no mercy on thyself, yet pity the State, which is like to perish by thy pertinace. Josephus highly commendeth Jeconiah for his yielding to go into captivity for the safety of the city. Tertullian giveth this counsel to Scapula the persecutor, If thou wilt not spare us, yet spare thyself; or, if not thyself, yet thy country, Carthage, which is like to smoke for thy cruelty, for “God is the avenger of all such.”
Ver. 14. Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets.] Quanta opus opera, saith Oecolampadius. What a business it is to beat men off from false prophets and seducers! But let the end and the evils they lead to be remembered. Cavete a Melampyge.
Ver. 15. For they prophesy a lie.] When they speak a lie, they speak of their own, as it is said of their father the devil. (John 8:44 Jeremiah 23:21,22)
Ver. 16. Behold, the vessels of the Lord’s house, &c.] Notorious impudence! but it hath ever been the lot of the Church to be pestered with such frontless dissolute fellows, who dare affirm things flat opposite to the truth, and flatter men in their sin to their utter ruin. Those who are of God can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. (2 Corinthians 13:8)
Ver. 17. Hearken not unto them.] Life and death is let in by the ear. (Isaiah 55:3) Take heed, therefore, what ye hear. Serve the king of Babylon.] And so long as ye may have liberty of conscience upon any reasonable terms, be content; and not, as the bird in the cage, which, because pent up, beateth herself.
Ver. 18. Let them make intercession to the Lord of hosts.] Let them pray in the Holy Ghost, by whom they pretend to be inspired. Let us see what answer. So Elias called upon the Baalites to call aloud unto their god; and forasmuch as he heard them not, the people were satisfied that they were false prophets. God will fulfil what he hath foretold; but then he looketh that his servants should make intercession. Elias had foretold Ahab that there should be store of rain after a long drought; but then he went up into Mount Carmel to pray for that rain. I came for thy prayer, said the angel to Daniel. God’s prophets are his favourites, and may have anything of him.
Ver. 19. Concerning the sea, and concerning the pillars, &c.] Of these, see 1 Kings 7:15,23,27. And concerning the residue of the vessels.] All the goodly plate, whether sacred or profane, that the moderation of the conqueror had left in the city. Diod.
Ver. 20. Which Nebuchadnezzar took not.] See on Jeremiah 27:19.
Ver. 22. Until the day that I visit them.] Till by my providence I appoint a great part of them to be brought back again, and to be new consecrated to my service. (Ezra 1:7 7:19)