Do not weep for the dead king; do not mourn his loss. Weep bitterly for the one who is exiled, for he will never return to see his native land. Sermons
I. DEATH IS NOT THE GREATEST CALAMITY THAT CAN BEFALL MEN. Shallum living, but in shameful exile, was really more to be pitied in himself and to he deplored for the sake of his country, than Josiah dead. The latter was-free from the degradations to which his descendants were exposed, and saved the pain of seeing his country rendered tributary; he had also children to occupy his place. But Shallum experienced all his nation's shame, as it were, vicariously, and was helpless to rescue it from the foreign yoke under which the intrigues of his brother had brought it. The hopes of Israel had in a special but easily understood way centered upon Shallum, in whom it trusted to see the restoration of ancient glory. All these are cut off by a decree more than human. He became, therefore, the type: 1. Of forfeited possibilities of usefulness. 2. Of national ignominy. 3. Of an irremovable curse. The apostate professor of religion, the impenitent sinner, etc., are worse than dead. It were better for the offender of the little ones that he had never been born (cf. Hebrews 10:26; 2 Peter 2:20, 21). II. THE COMPASSION OF MEN SHOULD BE CALLED FORTH FOR THE MISERY OF THOSE WHOSE WRONG-DOING THEY HAVE SHARED. 1. Because of its vicarious character. 2. Because of the Divine displeasure which it represents. This extends to themselves, even although they are not personally punished. Shallum, in this respect, is a type of him who was "made sin for us." 3. In order to practical measures being taken for its relief. There are many in our own day who, like Shallum, are the victims of national crimes and social sins. It is for those who have escaped the penalty to seek, by practical measures and the earnest presentation of the gospel, to redeem them to a happier life. The outcast and the fallen will be the brightest gems in the crown of the Church which gives itself to their redemption. - M.
Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him. I. "THE DEAD," probably Josiah, for whom a long mourning was kept (2 Chronicles 35:24; Zechariah 12:11). Shallum is Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:33).II. The chapter, even the text, suggests THE PICTURE OF THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE PROPHET AND THE SYMPATHY OF THE PROPHETS. 1. Jeremiah had begun to work when a better time seemed to dawn (Jeremiah 1:2). His hopes had been baffled, his words neglected, by "the guilt that scorns to be forgiven." Could human lot be more sad than thus to foresee the coming ruin, and to be helpless to avert it? 2. The true prophet, in spite of the people's sin, sympathises with them (1 Samuel 12:20-22). The Prophet of prophets did so. The king's captivity was only a type and foretaste of that of the nation. III. THE LOVE OF ONE'S COUNTRY IS FREELY RECOGNISED IN SCRIPTURE (Psalm 137; Psalm 102). National life is an ordinance of nature. National as real as home affections. The sorrows and joys which they bring are alike used for our discipline by Him who knows whereof we are made. IV. THE CAPTIVITIES, TERRIBLE AS THEY WERE, SERVED GOOD ENDS. 1. To wean the people from idolatry. 2. To draw them nearer to God. All affliction used aright does so. 3. To turn the people more to prayer, which seems to have become more common after the Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 66:1, 2; Daniel 6:10; Daniel 9:3, 19). V. THE DEAD ARE IN THE HANDS OF GOD, BEYOND OUR REACH. Weep rather for those who are living, torn away from the city of God. 1. Those who have been ensnared by their own sins and carelessness. 2. Those who are brought up in vice through circumstances of birth. Slaves of worse than Egyptian bondage (John 8:34). 3. Those of our own countrymen who, from duty or circumstances, are in foreign lands, and away from outward tokens of the Church. But should we merely mourn for these, and do nothing for them? VI. Jeremiah a forerunner of the Lord, and A TYPE OF HIS SERVANTS IN WITNESSING TO THE TRUTH, and in the endurance of persecution and disappointment of hope. (B. Moffett, M. A.) People Babylonians, Coniah, David, Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, Josiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, ShallumPlaces Abarim, Babylon, Bashan, Gilead, Jerusalem, LebanonTopics Bemoan, Birth, Bitter, Bitterly, Continually, Dead, Exiled, Goes, Grief, Loss, Mourn, Native, Rather, Return, Songs, Sore, Traveller, Weep, WeepingOutline 1. He exhorts to repentance, with promises and threats.10. The judgment of Shallum; 13. of Jehoiakim; 20. and of Coniah. Dictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 22:10Library The Life of Mr. James Mitchel. Mr. James Mitchel[152] was educated at the university of Edinburgh, and was, with some other of his fellow-students, made master of arts anno 1656. Mr. Robert Leighton (afterwards bishop Leighton), being then principal of that college, before the degree was conferred upon them, tendered to them the national and solemn league and covenant; which covenants, upon mature deliberation, he took, finding nothing in them but a short compend of the moral law, binding to our duty towards God and towards … John Howie—Biographia Scoticana (Scots Worthies) Columban. "Hear the Word of the Lord, Ye Rulers of Sodom, Give Ear unto the Law of Our God, Ye People of Gomorrah," "If we Say that we have Fellowship with Him, and Walk in Darkness, we Lie," Joy The Two Classes. A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon "To what Purpose is the Multitude of Your Sacrifices unto Me? Saith the Lord," Jewish Homes Jeremiah Links Jeremiah 22:10 NIVJeremiah 22:10 NLT Jeremiah 22:10 ESV Jeremiah 22:10 NASB Jeremiah 22:10 KJV Jeremiah 22:10 Bible Apps Jeremiah 22:10 Parallel Jeremiah 22:10 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 22:10 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 22:10 French Bible Jeremiah 22:10 German Bible Jeremiah 22:10 Commentaries Bible Hub |