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JEREMIAH CHAPTER 4
An invitation to true repentance, by promises, Jer_4:1-4; and judgments coming on them by the Babylonians, contrary to the predictions of their false prophets, for their sins, Jer_4:5-18. A grievous lamentation for the miseries of Judah, Jer_4:19-31.
Return unto me: this seems to be a continuation of the former sermon; so that Israel having promised repentance, they are here directed how it must be qualified, viz. it must not be hypocritical and reigned, but real and hearty, Jer_24:7, as Josiah’s was, 2Ki_23:25; and it must be unto the Lord; not to this idol and that idol, hither and thither, shifting their way; but unto me; see Jer_2:36; or to my worship, and as thou hast promised, Jer_3:22. And this sense agrees best with the coherence. Or it maybe all emphatical, short, peremptory expression; If thou wilt return, return; make no longer demur or delay about it; like that Isa_21:12. The Hebrew read the words in the future tense, if thou wilt return, thou shalt return; and so they may be taken partly as a promise, and that with reference either to their returning into their own land; and so they concern Israel; thus Deu_30:2-5: see Jer_3:14. But if the word be taken in the notion of resting, not returning, as some do, and as it is taken Isa_30:15, then it rather concerns Judah: q. d. Thou shalt abide quietly where thou art, and shalt not wander into captivity; and this may agree with the last expression in the verse,
not remove. Or else with reference to the assistance that God would give them to return unto him; partly, and that rather, as a direction (for in the Hebrew, though the word return be in the future tense, yet it is often used imperatively).
Abominations, viz. idols, a metonymy of the adjunct, which are so abominable in God’s sight, Deu_27:15 Eze_20:7,8; called dungy gods, Deu_29:17. See 2Ch_15:8.
Out of my sight; though God’s eye be every where; and hence implieth that idols are no where to be admitted, either in private or public; yet it doth particularly relate to the place of his more immediate presence, as their land and temple, 1Ki_9:3, and spiritually to our hearts, hypocrites thinking it enough if they conceal their wickedness from man’s eye.
Then shalt thou not remove: if this be read imperatively, then it is,
remove not, as it may be read; and so it agrees with Israel, Depart not away from me to thy idols upon the mountains and hills: if read in the future tense, then it agrees with Judah, Thou shalt not go out of thine own land into exile. See the first clause of the verse.