Jeremiah:11

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* Verse 1-10 - God never promised to bestow blessings on his rational creatures , while they persist in wilful disobedience . Pardon and acceptance are promised freely to all believers ; but no man can be saved who does not obey the command of God to repent , to believe in Christ , to separate from sin and the world , to choose self-denial and newness of life . In general , men will hearken to those who speak of doctrines , promises , and privileges ; but when duties are mentioned , they will not bend their ear . * Verse 11-17 - Evil pursues sinners , and entangles them in snares , out of which they cannot free themselves . Now , in their distress , their many gods and many altars stand them in no stead . And those whose own prayers will not be heard , cannot expect benefit from the prayers of others . Their profession of religion shall prove of no use . When trouble came upon them , they made this their confidence , but God has rejected it . His altar shall yield them no satisfaction . The remembrance of God 's former favours to them shall be no comfort under troubles ; and his remembrance of them shall be no argument for their relief . Every sin against the Lord is a sin against ourselves , and so it will be found sooner or later . * Verse 18-23 - The prophet Jeremiah tells much concerning himself , the times he lived in being very troublesome . Those of his own city plotted how they might cause his death . They thought to end his days , but he outlived most of his enemies ; they thought to blast his memory , but it lives to this day , and will be blessed while time lasts . God knows all the secret designs of his and his people 's enemies , and can , when he pleases , make them known . God 's justice is a terror to the wicked , but a comfort to the godly . When we are wronged , we have a God to commit our cause to , and it is our duty to commit it to him . We should also look well to our own spirits , that we are not overcome with evil , but that by patient continuance in praying for our enemies , and in kindness to them , we may overcome evil with good . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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