Jeremiah 27

1 in principio regni Ioachim filii Iosiae regis Iuda factum est verbum istud ad Hieremiam a Domino dicens
2 haec dicit Dominus ad me fac tibi vincula et catenas et pones eas in collo tuo
3 et mittes eas ad regem Edom et ad regem Moab et ad regem filiorum Ammon et ad regem Tyri et ad regem Sidonis in manu nuntiorum qui venerunt Hierusalem ad Sedeciam regem Iuda
4 et praecipies eis ut ad dominos suos loquantur haec dicit Dominus exercituum Deus Israhel haec dicetis ad dominos vestros
5 ego feci terram et hominem et iumenta quae sunt super faciem terrae in fortitudine mea magna et in brachio meo extento et dedi eam ei qui placuit in oculis meis
6 et nunc itaque ego dedi omnes terras istas in manu Nabuchodonosor regis Babylonis servi mei insuper et bestias agri dedi ei ut serviant illi
7 et servient ei omnes gentes et filio eius et filio filii eius donec veniat tempus terrae eius et ipsius et servient ei gentes multae et reges magni
8 gens autem et regnum quod non servierit Nabuchodonosor regi Babylonis et quicumque non curvaverit collum suum sub iugo regis Babylonis in gladio et in fame et in peste visitabo super gentem illam ait Dominus donec consumam eos in manu eius
9 vos ergo nolite audire prophetas vestros et divinos et somniatores et augures et maleficos qui dicunt vobis non servietis regi Babylonis
10 quia mendacium prophetant vobis ut longe faciant vos de terra vestra et eiciant vos et pereatis
11 porro gens quae subiecerit cervicem suam sub iugo regis Babylonis et servierit ei dimittam eam in terra sua dicit Dominus et colet eam et habitabit in ea
12 et ad Sedeciam regem Iuda locutus sum secundum omnia verba haec dicens subicite colla vestra sub iugo regis Babylonis et servite ei et populo eius et vivetis
13 quare moriemini tu et populus tuus gladio fame et peste sicut locutus est Dominus ad gentem quae servire noluerit regi Babylonis
14 nolite audire verba prophetarum dicentium vobis non servietis regi Babylonis quia mendacium ipsi loquuntur vobis
15 quia non misi eos ait Dominus et ipsi prophetant in nomine meo mendaciter ut eiciant vos et pereatis tam vos quam prophetae qui vaticinantur vobis
16 et ad sacerdotes et ad populum istum locutus sum dicens haec dicit Dominus nolite audire verba prophetarum vestrorum qui prophetant vobis dicentes ecce vasa Domini revertentur de Babylone nunc cito mendacium enim prophetant vobis
17 nolite ergo audire eos sed servite regi Babylonis ut vivatis quare datur haec civitas in solitudinem
18 et si prophetae sunt et est verbum Domini in eis occurrant Domino exercituum ut non veniant vasa quae derelicta fuerant in domum Domini et in domum regis Iuda et in Hierusalem in Babylonem
19 quia haec dicit Dominus exercituum ad columnas et ad mare et ad bases et ad reliqua vasorum quae remanserunt in civitate hac
20 quae non tulit Nabuchodonosor rex Babylonis cum transferret Iechoniam filium Ioachim regem Iuda de Hierusalem in Babylonem et omnes optimates Iuda et Hierusalem
21 quia haec dicit Dominus exercituum Deus Israhel ad vasa quae derelicta sunt in domum Domini et in domum regis Iuda et Hierusalem
22 in Babylonem transferentur et ibi erunt usque ad diem visitationis suae dicit Dominus et adferri faciam ea et restitui in loco isto

Jeremiah 27 Commentary

Chapter 27

The neighbouring nations to be subdued. (1-11) Zedekiah is warned to yield. (12-18) The vessels of the temple to be carried to Babylon, but afterwards to be restored. (19-22)

Verses 1-11 Jeremiah is to prepare a sign that all the neighbouring countries would be made subject to the king of Babylon. God asserts his right to dispose of kingdoms as he pleases. Whatever any have of the good things of this world, it is what God sees fit to give; we should therefore be content. The things of this world are not the best things, for the Lord often gives the largest share to bad men. Dominion is not founded in grace. Those who will not serve the God who made them, shall justly be made to serve their enemies that seek to ruin them. Jeremiah urges them to prevent their destruction, by submission. A meek spirit, by quiet submission to the hardest turns of providence, makes the best of what is bad. Many persons may escape destroying providences, by submitting to humbling providences. It is better to take up a light cross in our way, than to pull a heavier on our own heads. The poor in spirit, the meek and humble, enjoy comfort, and avoid many miseries to which the high-spirited are exposed. It must, in all cases, be our interest to obey God's will.

Verses 12-18 Jeremiah persuades the king of Judah to surrender to the king of Babylon. Is it their wisdom to submit to the heavy iron yoke of a cruel tyrant, that they may secure their lives; and is it not much more our wisdom to submit to the pleasant and easy yoke of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, that we may secure our souls? It were well if sinners would be afraid of the destruction threatened against all who will not have Christ to reign over them. Why should they die the second death, infinitely worse than that by sword and famine, when they may submit and live? And those who encourage sinners to go on in sinful ways, will perish with them.

Verses 19-22 Jeremiah assures them that the brazen vessels should go after the golden ones. All shall be carried to Babylon. But he concludes with a gracious promise, that the time would come when they should be brought back. Though the return of the prosperity of the church does not come in our time, we must not despair, for it will come in God's time.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 27

This chapter contains a prophecy of the subjection of the king of Judah, with five neighbouring kings, to the king of Babylon; signified by bonds and yokes on the prophet's neck, which they are exhorted patiently to bear, as being most for their good; and not to give heed to false prophets, who would persuade them to the contrary. The date of the prophecy is in Jer 27:1; the order to make the yokes, and send them to the several neighbouring princes by their messengers at Jerusalem, Jer 27:2,3; what they should say to their masters from the God of Israel, who is described from his power in the creation of the earth, and the disposal of it, Jer 27:4,5; as that he had given all their lands into the hand of the king of Babylon, whom they should serve, or it would be worse for them, Jer 27:6-8; and therefore should not hearken to their prophets, who prophesied lies; if they did, it would be to their hurt; whereas, if they quietly submitted, they would dwell in their own land, Jer 27:9-11; particularly Zedekiah king of Judah is exhorted to submit; and both he, and the priests and the people, are advised not to hearken to the false prophets, Jer 27:12-15; particularly as to what they said concerning the speedy return of the vessels of the temple, which were carried away to Babylon; but might assure themselves they should remain there; and the rest also should be taken, and not returned until the end of the seventy years, Jer 27:16-22.

Jeremiah 27 Commentaries

The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.