Verse 1
Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the a court of the prison, saying,
(a) Which was in the king's house at Jerusalem, as in (Jeremiah 32:1-2).
Verse 2
Thus saith the LORD the b maker of this, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD [is] his name;
(b) That is, of Jerusalem, who as he made it, so will he preserve it, read (Isaiah 37:26).
Verse 4
For thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city, and concerning the houses of the kings of Judah, which are thrown down by the c mounts, and by the sword;
(c) Read (Jeremiah 32:24).
Verse 5
They come to d fight with the Chaldeans, but [it is] to fill them with the dead bodies of men, whom I have slain in my anger and in my fury, and for all whose wickedness I have hid my e face from this city.
(d) The Jews think to overcome the Chaldeans, but they seek their own destruction.
(e) He shows that God's favour is cause of all prosperity, as his anger is of all adversity.
Verse 6
Behold, I f will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.
(f) In the midst of his threatenings God remembers his, and comforts them.
Verse 8
And I will g cleanse them from all their iniquity, by which they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, by which they have sinned, and by which they have transgressed against me.
(g) Declaring that there is no deliverance nor joy, but where we feel remission of sins.
Verse 9
And it shall be to me a name of h joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do to them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure to it.
(h) By which he shows that the Church in which is remission of sins, is God's honour and glory, so that whoever is enemy to it, labours to dishonour God.
Verse 11
The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, i Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD [is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: [and] of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captives of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.
(i) Which was a song appointed for the Levites to praise God by, (1 Chronicles 16:8) ; (Psalm 105:1) ; (Psalm 106:1) ; (Psalm 107:1) ; (Psalm 118:1) ; (Psalm 136:1) ; (Isaiah 12:4)
Verse 13
In the cities of the k mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that counteth [them], saith the LORD.
(k) Meaning that all the country of Judah will be inhabited again.
Verse 15
In those days, and at that time, will I cause l the Branch of righteousness to grow up to David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
(l) That is, I will send the Messiah, who will come of the house of David, of whom this prophecy is meant, as testify all the Jews and that which is written, (Jeremiah 23:5).
Verse 16
In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell in safety: and this [is the name] by which m she shall be called, The LORD our n righteousness.
(m) That is, Christ that will call his Church.
(n) That is, Christ is our Lord God, our righteousness, sanctification and redemption, (1 Corinthians 1:30).
Verse 18
Neither shall the priests the Levites lack a man before me to offer o burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually.
(o) That is, chiefly meant of the spiritual sacrifice of thanksgiving which is left to the Church in the time of Christ, who was the everlasting priest and the everlasting sacrifice figured by the sacrifices of the law.
Verse 20
Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the p day, and my covenant of the night, so that there should not be day and night in their season;
(p) Read (Jeremiah 31:35).
Verse 24
Considerest thou not what q this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.
(q) Meaning, the Chaldeans and other infidels who thought God had utterly cast off Judah and Israel or Benjamin, because he corrected them for a time for their amendment.