Jeremiah 4:1-4

1 “If you, Israel, will return, then return to me,” declares the LORD. “If you put your detestable idols out of my sight and no longer go astray,
2 and if in a truthful, just and righteous way you swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ then the nations will invoke blessings by him and in him they will boast.”
3 This is what the LORD says to the people of Judah and to Jerusalem: “Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns.
4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, circumcise your hearts, you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire because of the evil you have done— burn with no one to quench it.

Jeremiah 4:1-4 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 4

This chapter begins with several exhortations to repentance; first to Israel, or the ten tribes, to return to the Lord with their whole hearts, and put away their abominations, and serve him in sincerity and uprightness of soul; with promises of rest and safety to themselves; and that it would have a happy influence on the Gentiles, and issue in their conversion; who would hereupon bless themselves in the Lord, and glory in him, Jer 4:1,2, and next to the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem, to show a concern for renewing and sanctifying grace, signified by various metaphors, lest they should be consumed with the fire of divine wrath, Jer 4:3,4 and then the destruction of that land and city is foretold and described, partly by what was introductory to it, and the proclamation of it, signified by blowing the trumpet, and setting up the standard, Jer 4:5,6,15,19,20, by an account of the destroyers, their cruelty, swiftness, and diligence, Jer 4:7,13,16,17, and of the destruction itself, compared to a violent wind, Jer 4:11,12, by the effect it should have upon the inhabitants of all sorts, high and low, Jer 4:8,9, and had upon the prophet himself, Jer 4:10,19,21, and by the cause and ground of it, the sins of the people, which they are called upon to repent of, Jer 4:14,17,18,22 and by a vision the prophet had of the dreadful desolation of the land, Jer 4:23-29 and by the vain and false hopes the people would have of their recovery, and the great anxiety and distress they would be in, Jer 4:30,31.

Cross References 13

  • 1. S Deuteronomy 4:30; S 2 Kings 17:13; S Hosea 12:6; Jeremiah 3:1,22; Joel 2:12
  • 2. S 2 Kings 21:4; Jeremiah 16:18; Jeremiah 35:15; Ezekiel 8:5
  • 3. Deuteronomy 10:20; S Isaiah 19:18; Isaiah 65:16
  • 4. S Numbers 14:21; Jeremiah 5:2; Jeremiah 12:16; Jeremiah 44:26; Hosea 4:15
  • 5. S Genesis 12:2; Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:8
  • 6. Jeremiah 9:24
  • 7. Hosea 10:12
  • 8. Mark 4:18
  • 9. S Leviticus 26:41; Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 9:26; Romans 2:28-29
  • 10. Zephaniah 1:18; Zephaniah 2:2
  • 11. S Job 41:21
  • 12. S Exodus 32:22
  • 13. Isaiah 1:31; Amos 5:6
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