Jeremias 14:8

8 O Lord, the hope of Israel, and deliverest in time of troubles; why art thou become as a sojourner upon the land, or as one born in the land, yet turning aside for a resting-place?

Jeremias 14:8 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 14:8

O the hope of Israel
The author, object, ground, and foundation of hope of all good things, both here and hereafter; in whom Israel had been used to hope in times past, and had great encouragement so to do, ( Psalms 130:7 ) or, "the expectation of Israel" ^F6; whom they looked for to come: the Saviour thereof in time of trouble;
the Saviour of all men in a way of providence, but especially of the true Israel of God, of them that believe; who, though they have their times of trouble and affliction, by reason of sin, Satan, and wicked men, and other things, yet the Lord saves and delivers them out of them all in due time: why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land;
or, a "sojourner" ^F7; who abides but for a while; and it not being his native place, is not so solicitous for the welfare of it. Jerome interprets this of Christ when here on earth, who was as a stranger, and unknown by men; see ( Psalms 69:9 ) ( Matthew 8:20 ) ( 25:43 ) and the other characters; of the hope of Israel,
and the Saviour, well agree with him, ( 1 Timothy 1:1 ) ( Colossians 1:27 ) ( Acts 13:23 ) and as a wayfaring man;
or "traveller" ^F8: that turnest aside to tarry for a night?
that turns into an inn to lodge there for a night, and that only; and so is unconcerned what becomes of it, or the people in it; he is only there for a night, and is gone in the morning. Thus the prophet represents the Lord by these metaphors, as if he was, or at least seemed, careless of his people; and therefore expostulates with him upon it, as the disciples with our Lord, ( Mark 4:38 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 (larvy hwqm) "expectatio Israel", Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius.
F7 (rgk) "quasi colonus", Grotius; "advena", Gataker.
F8 (xrak) "tanquam viator", Pagninus, Montanus, Schmidt.

Jeremias 14:8 In-Context

6 The wild asses stood by the forests, and snuffed up the wind; their eyes failed, because there was no grass.

7 Our sins have risen up against us: O Lord, do thou for us for thine own sake; for our sins are many before thee; for we have sinned against thee.

8 O Lord, the hope of Israel, and deliverest in time of troubles; why art thou become as a sojourner upon the land, or as one born in the land, yet turning aside for a resting-place?

9 Wilt thou be as a man asleep, or as a man that cannot save? yet thou art among us, O Lord, and thy name is called upon us; forget us not.

10 Thus saith the Lord to this people, They have loved to wander, and they have not spared, therefore God has not prospered them; now will he remember their iniquity.