Jer 16: "Jeremiah becomes a man apart, setting an example to
display the divine displeasure at the attitude of the nation. He was forbidden
to marry (vv 1-4). Fruitfulness was promised as a blessing under the Law (Deu
28:4), but ceased to be so under the difficult times now impending in Jerusalem.
Further, he was forbidden to enter the house of mourning (vv 5-7). Times of
trouble were about to break over the nation to cause normal mourning to be
superfluous. He was forbidden to enter the house of joy (vv 8,9), for it would
be a folly in view of the impending judgment. But the people stood opposed to
the prophet, and therefore he answers the people (vv 10-13), giving a glimmer of
hope to a faithful remnant (vv 14,15). Yet punishment upon Israel must first be
experienced (vv 16-18), and would lead ultimately to the conversion of the
Gentiles (vv 19-21). It is significant that this remarkable chapter concludes
with the Covenant Name. So the Gentiles, by manifestation of divine power in the
latter-days, will be brought within the covenant. Jeremiah's experience is not
only typical of the suffering servitude of the Lord Jesus, but an example of
faithfulness in today's apathy. The brotherhood, with the world, is facing the
day of judgment, and needs to follow the pattern of Jeremiah in his dedicated
service and unstinting sacrifice for the cause of the Truth, notwithstanding the
opposition of the ecclesia" (GEM).
Jer 16:2
God controls the lives of the prophets (even their marriages)
-- cp Ezekiel and Hosea -- to His ultimate purposes.
Jer 16:16
FISHERMEN: Herzl, Zionism, Balfour
Declaration.
HUNTERS: Russian pogroms, Nazi concentration camps and
the Holocaust.
Jer 16:21
In the final scenes, both Jews and Gentiles have reason to
know God's mighty hand.
KNOW THAT MY NAME IS THE LORD: To know the name of
Yahweh is to worship rightly.