Lecture One Hundred and Fifteenth
Jeremiah 30:12 | |
12. For thus saith the Lord, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous. | 12. Quoniam sic dicit Jehova, gravitas confractioni tuae (vel, fracturae alii vertunt, contritionem, qued idem est, nam |
The design of the Prophet is first to be noticed: he was fighting with those impostors who gave hope of a return in a short time to the people, while seventy years, as it has been said, were to be expected. The Prophet then wished to shew to the people how foolishly they hoped for an end to their evils in so short a time. And this is what ought to be carefully observed, for it was not without reason that the Prophet dwelt much on this point; for nothing is more difficult than to lead men to a serious acknowledgment of God's judgment. When any thing adverse happens, they are tender and sensitive as to the evils they endure; but at the same time they look not to God, and comfort themselves with vain imaginations. It was therefore necessary for the Prophet to dwell on his doctrine at large; for he saw that the Israelites promised to themselves a return after two years, though they had been warned by the Prophets that they were to bear the scourge of God for seventy years.
This is the reason why the Prophet speaks here of the grievousness of evils, not because the Israelites were insensible, but because they had been credulous, and were still hoping for a return, so that they deceived themselves with false comfort. He therefore says, that the
1 The
Incurable as to thy bruise, Grievous has been thy stroke.
Or we may give this rendering, inverting the order, --
As to thy bruise, it is incurable; Grievous has been thy stroke.
The "bruise" occasioned by the "grievous stroke" was incurable, that is, by human means. The effect is mentioned first, "the bruise;" then the cause, "the stroke." -- Ed.
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