Jeremiah:25

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* Verse 1-7 - The call to turn from evil ways to the worship and service of God , and for sinners to trust in Christ , and partake of his salvation , concerns all men . God keeps an account how long we possess the means of grace ; and the longer we have them , the heavier will our account be if we have not improved them . Rising early , points out the earnest desire that this people should turn and live . Personal and particular reformation must be insisted on as necessary to a national deliverance ; and every one must turn from his own evil way . Yet all was to no purpose . They would not take the right and only method to turn away the wrath of God . * Verse 8-14 - The fixing of the time during which the Jewish captivity should last , would not only confirm the prophecy , but also comfort the people of God , and encourage faith and prayer . The ruin of Babylon is foretold : the rod will be thrown into the fire when the correcting work is done . When the set time to favour Zion is come , Babylon shall be punished for their iniquity , as other nations have been punished for their sins . Every threatening of the Scripture will certainly be accomplished . * Verse 15-29 - The evil and the good events of life are often represented in Scripture as cups . Under this figure is represented the desolation then coming upon that part of the world , of which Nebuchadnezzar , who had just began to reign and act , was to be the instrument ; but this destroying sword would come from the hand of God . The desolations the sword should make in all these kingdoms , are represented by the consequences of excessive drinking . This may make us loathe the sin of drunkenness , that the consequences of it are used to set forth such a woful condition . Drunkenness deprives men of the use of their reason , makes men as mad . It takes from them the valuable blessing , health ; and is a sin which is its own punishment . This may also make us dread the judgments of war . It soon fills a nation with confusion . They will refuse to take the cup at thy hand . They will not believe Jeremiah ; but he must tell them it is the word of the Lord of hosts , and it is in vain for them to struggle against Almighty power . And if God 's judgments begin with backsliding professors , let not the wicked expect to escape . * Verse 30-38 - The Lord has just ground of controversy with every nation and every person ; and he will execute judgment on all the wicked . Who can avoid trembling when God speaks in displeasure ? The days are fully come ; the time fixed in the Divine counsels , which will make the nations wholly desolate . The tender and delicate shall share the common calamity . Even those who used to live in peace , and did nothing to provoke , shall not escape . Blessed be God , there is a peaceable habitation above , for all the sons of peace . The Lord will preserve his church and all believers in all changes ; for nothing can separate them from his love . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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