13 Therefore thus saith H559 the LORD; H3068 Ask H7592 ye now among the heathen, H1471 who hath heard H8085 such things: the virgin H1330 of Israel H3478 hath done H6213 a very H3966 horrible thing. H8186
A wonderful H8047 and horrible thing H8186 is committed H1961 in the land; H776
Who hath heard H8085 such a thing? who hath seen H7200 such things? Shall the earth H776 be made to bring forth H2342 in one H259 day? H3117 or shall a nation H1471 be born H3205 at once? H6471 for as soon as H1571 Zion H6726 travailed, H2342 she brought forth H3205 her children. H1121
I have seen H7200 also in the prophets H5030 of Jerusalem H3389 an horrible thing: H8186 they commit adultery, H5003 and walk H1980 in lies: H8267 they strengthen H2388 also the hands H3027 of evildoers, H7489 that none H376 doth return H7725 from his wickedness: H7451 they are all of them unto me as Sodom, H5467 and the inhabitants H3427 thereof as Gomorrah. H6017
I have seen H7200 an horrible thing H8186 in the house H1004 of Israel: H3478 there is the whoredom H2184 of Ephraim, H669 Israel H3478 is defiled. H2930
For pass over H5674 the isles H339 of Chittim, H3794 and see; H7200 and send H7971 unto Kedar, H6938 and consider H995 diligently, H3966 and see H7200 if there be such a thing. Hath a nation H1471 changed H3235 their gods, H430 which are yet no gods? H430 but my people H5971 have changed H4171 their glory H3519 for that which doth not profit. H3276 Be astonished, H8074 O ye heavens, H8064 at this, and be horribly afraid, H8175 be ye very H3966 desolate, H2717 saith H5002 the LORD. H3068 For my people H5971 have committed H6213 two H8147 evils; H7451 they have forsaken H5800 me the fountain H4726 of living H2416 waters, H4325 and hewed them out H2672 cisterns, H877 broken H7665 cisterns, H877 that can hold H3557 no water. H4325
Therefore thou shalt say H559 this word H1697 unto them; Let mine eyes H5869 run down H3381 with tears H1832 night H3915 and day, H3119 and let them not cease: H1820 for the virgin H1330 daughter H1323 of my people H5971 is broken H7665 with a great H1419 breach, H7667 with a very H3966 grievous H2470 blow. H4347
Again I will build H1129 thee, and thou shalt be built, H1129 O virgin H1330 of Israel: H3478 thou shalt again be adorned H5710 with thy tabrets, H8596 and shalt go forth H3318 in the dances H4234 of them that make merry. H7832
And the Philistines H6430 were afraid, H3372 for they said, H559 God H430 is come H935 into the camp. H4264 And they said, H559 Woe H188 unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore. H865 H8032
Then came H935 Eliakim, H471 the son H1121 of Hilkiah, H2518 that was over the household, H1004 and Shebna H7644 the scribe, H5608 and Joah, H3098 the son H1121 of Asaph, H623 the recorder, H2142 to Hezekiah H2396 with their clothes H899 rent, H7167 and told H5046 him the words H1697 of Rabshakeh. H7262
The Lord H136 hath trodden under foot H5541 all my mighty H47 men in the midst H7130 of me: he hath called H7121 an assembly H4150 against me to crush H7665 my young men: H970 the Lord H136 hath trodden H1869 the virgin, H1330 the daughter H1323 of Judah, H3063 as in a winepress. H1660
It is reported G191 commonly G3654 that there is fornication G4202 among G1722 you, G5213 and G2532 such G5108 fornication G4202 as G3748 is G3687 not so much G3761 as named G3687 among G1722 the Gentiles, G1484 that G5620 one G5100 should have G2192 his father's G3962 wife. G1135
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Jeremiah 18
Commentary on Jeremiah 18 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 18
In this chapter we have,
Jer 18:1-10
The prophet is here sent to the potter's house (he knew where to find it), not to preach a sermon as before to the gates of Jerusalem, but to prepare a sermon, or rather to receive it ready prepared. Those needed not to study their sermons that had them, as he had this, by immediate inspiration. "Go to the potter's house, and observe how he manages his work, and there I will cause thee, by silent whispers, to hear my words. There thou shalt receive a message, to be delivered to the people.' Note, Those that would know God's mind must observe his appointments, and attend where they may hear his words. The prophet was never disobedient to the heavenly vision, and therefore went to the potter's house (v. 3) and took notice how he wrought his work upon the wheels, just as he pleased, with a great deal of ease, and in a little time. And (v. 4) when a lump of clay that he designed to form into one shape either proved too stiff, or had a stone in it, or some way or other came to be marred in his hand, he presently turned it into another shape; if it will not serve for a vessel of honour, it will serve for a vessel of dishonour, just as seems good to the potter. It is probable that Jeremiah knew well enough how the potter wrought his work, and how easily he threw it into what form he pleased; but he must go and observe it now, that, having the idea of it fresh in his mind, he might the more readily and distinctly apprehend that truth which God designed thereby to represent to him, and might the more intelligently explain it to the people. God used similitudes by his servants the prophets (Hos. 12:10), and it was requisite that they should themselves understand the similitudes they used. Ministers will make a good use of their converse with the business and affairs of this life if they learn thereby to speak more plainly and familiarly to people about the things of God, and to expound scripture comparisons. For they ought to make all their knowledge some way or other serviceable to their profession.
Now let us see what the message is which Jeremiah receives, and is entrusted with the delivery of, at the potter's house. While he looks carefully upon the potter's work, God darts into his mind these two great truths, which he must preach to the house of Israel:-
Jer 18:11-17
These verses seem to be the application of the general truths laid down in the foregoing part of the chapter to the nation of the Jews and their present state.
Jer 18:18-23
The prophet here, as sometimes before, brings in his own affairs, but very much for instruction to us.