Jeremiah 9:2 Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people… No prophet commenced labours with greater encouragements than Jeremiah. A king reigned who was bringing back the times of the man after God's own heart. This devout and zealous king was young. What might not therefore be effected in course of years? Schism, too, was at an end since Israel's captivity. Kings of the house of David again ruled over the whole land. Idolatry was destroyed by Josiah in all the cities. Thus, at first sight, it seemed reasonable to anticipate further and permanent improvements. I. EVERYONE BEGINS WITH BEING SANGUINE. Jeremiah did. God's servants entered on their office with more lively hopes than their after fortunes warranted. Very soon the cheerful prospect was overcast for Jeremiah, and he was left to labour in the dark. 1. Huldah's message fixed the coming fortunes of Judah: she foretold the early death of the good king and a fierce destruction to the unworthy nation. This prophecy came five years after Jeremiah entered office; so early in his course were his hopes cut away. 2. Or, the express word of God came to and undeceived him. 3. Or, the hardened state of sin in which the nation lay destroyed his hopes. II. RESIGNATION A MORE BLESSED STATE OF MIND THAN SANGUINE HOPE. 1. To expect great efforts from our religious exertions is natural and innocent, but arises from inexperience of the kind of work we have to do — to change the heart and will of men. 2. Far nobler frame of mind to labour, not with hope of seeing fruit, but for conscience' sake, as matter of duty, and in faith, trusting good will be done though we see it not. 3. The Bible shows that though God's servants began with success, they ended with disappointment. Not that God's purposes or instruments fail, but because the time for reaping is not here, but hereafter. III. THE VICISSITUDE OF FEELING WHICH THIS TRANSITION FROM HOPE TO DISAPPOINTMENT PRODUCES. Affliction, fear, despondency, sometimes restlessness, even impatience under his trials, find frequent expression in Jeremiah's writings (Jeremiah 5:3, 30, 31; Jeremiah 12:1-3; Jeremiah 15:10-18; Jeremiah 20:7-14). IV. THE ISSUE OF THESE CHANGES AND CONFLICTS OF FEELING WAS RESIGNATION. He comes to use language which expresses that chastened spirit and weaned heart which is the termination of all agitation and anxiety in religious minds. He, who at one time could not comfort himself, was sent to comfort a brother; and in comforting Baruch he speaks in that nobler temper of resignation which takes the place of sanguine hope and harassing fear, and betokens calm and clear-sighted faith and inward peace. (J. H. Newman, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men. |
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