Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 27

Verses 1-22

Jeremiah 27:1 . In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim. In the twelfth verse it is added, “I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah.” These occurrences induce some critics to believe that Jehoiakim has been mis-written for Zedekiah.

Jeremiah 27:2-3 . Make thee bonds and yokes and send them to the king of Moab, &c. There were at this time in Jerusalem ambassadors from those kings, soliciting Zedekiah to join them in a league against the king of Babylon. On this league the cunning Hananiah seems to have grounded his prediction in the next chapter.

Jeremiah 27:9 . Hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners. This passage is levelled entirely against the false prophets, who practised those detestible arts. We find two words applied to divination. נחשׁ nichaish, he divined. Genesis 44:5; Genesis 44:15. Wot ye not, said Joseph, that such a man as I could certainly divine? But Jeremiah uses the word קסם kesem, which is understood in an ill sense, like that which Balaam practised against the Israelites. Numbers 23:23. And which Moses prohibited. Deuteronomy 18:10. Samuel also says, rebellion is as the sin of divination. Therefore the false prophets are accused of lying divinations. Jeremiah 14:14. Ezekiel 13:6. The dreamers, the enchanters, the sorcerers, or evilworkers, are the same characters using different arts. All the surrounding nations had their prophets, their learned scribes and diviners, enchanters and sorcerers. Many among the Jews got a wretched pittance of bread by divinations. St. Jude notices these with the epithet of “filthy dreamers.”

REFLECTIONS.

We here find the holy prophet hard at work again, diversifying his ministry by signs, fighting with nations, and splendidly foretelling Nebuchadnezzar’s conquests, to save his country in the hopeless struggle. We see, on the other hand, the villainous efforts of the false prophets, who consulted their present interests by following the popular voice. The ministry of the one contributed to ruin their country, while that of the faithful prophet tended to save it. Alas, alas, for the court preachers who go with the times, instead of maintaining the rights of God, amidst all the fluctuations of time. When the Lord put the necks of oriental nations under the yoke of the king of Babylon he reminds them that he himself was the only ruler, the Lord who made the heavens and the earth. This is consolation to the church, that he who scourges has but a limited commission. Zion has yet a final appeal to that bar which shall redress all her wrongs.