“This is the book of the commandments of God, and the law that endureth for ever: all they that keep it shall come to life; but such as leave it shall die.”
Ever. True wisdom may be found in the law. It constitutes the happiness of Israel, Deuteronomy iv. 7. Christ perfected and fulfilled it, Matthew v. 7. — Life. Moses promised temporal blessings; (chap. iii. 14., and Deuteronomy xxx. 15.) yet the faithful would be rewarded eternally. (Calmet) — Wisdom is the law of God, chap. iii. 12. (Worthington)
“Give not thine honour to another, nor the things that are profitable unto thee to a strange nation.”
Nation. Be faithful, lest another take thy place. This Christians have done, Deuteronomy xxxii. 21. (Calmet)
“Be of good cheer, my people, the memorial of Israel.”
Memorial. Greek literally, “O memorable Israel.” (Haydock) — Ye are left to support and restore the nation. This part of the letter is for their comfort.
“Ye were sold to the nations, not for your destruction: but because ye moved God to wrath, ye were delivered unto the enemies.”
Sold, like slaves, or people taken in war. (Calmet)
“Ye have forgotten the everlasting God, that brought you up; and ye have grieved Jerusalem, that nursed you.”
God. Literally, “Him.” Greek, “the Eternal.” (Haydock) — This is taken from Deuteronomy xxxii. 15. (Calmet) — Nursed you. The city is beautifully personified as a widow, ver. 12. (Haydock)
“For when she saw the wrath of God coming upon you, she said, Hearken, O ye that dwell about Sion: God hath brought upon me great mourning;”
Near. Hebrew would be “daughters of Sion,” ver. 14.
“For he hath brought a nation upon them from far, a shameless nation, and of a strange language, who neither reverenced old man, nor pitied child.”
Tongue. So the Chaldeans are described, Deuteronomy xxviii. 49., and Isaias xxxiii. 19. (Calmet)
“These have carried away the dear beloved children of the widow, and left her that was alone desolate without daughters.”
Children. Greek, “daughters.” (Haydock) — Many of both sexes were taken with Jechonias. (Calmet) — Jerusalem comforts her children, and assures them of God’s mercy. (Worthington)
“I have put off the clothing of peace, and put upon me the sackcloth of my prayer: I will cry unto the Everlasting in my days.”
Peace: the ornaments worn in my prosperity. — Sackcloth, or a rough garment, used by penitents and in times of public distress.
“My children, suffer patiently the wrath that is come upon you from God: for thine enemy hath persecuted thee; but shortly thou shalt see his destruction, and shalt tread upon his neck.”
Neck. Mardochai, Daniel, &c., were governors, Isaias xl. 14. These predictions were more fully verified when the Gentiles embraced the gospel. (Calmet)
“For as it was your mind to go astray from God: so, being returned, seek him ten times more.”
When. Greek, “now ten times as much, being converted, seek him.” (Haydock) — The Jews became much more docile and attached to the law.
“Take a good heart, O Jerusalem: for he that gave thee that name will comfort thee.”
Named thee as his servant, spouse, (Calmet) and intimate friend.
“Miserable are they that afflicted thee, and rejoiced at thy fall.”
The. Greek Deilaioi. “Wretched those who have injured thee, and rejoiced in thy fall! Wretched the cities,” &c. (Haydock)
“Miserable are the cities which thy children served: miserable is she that received thy sons.”
She; Babylon. (Challoner) — Greek, “Wretched she,” &c. (Haydock) — Babylon shall fall a prey to Cyrus.
“For fire shall come upon her from the Everlasting, long to endure; and she shall be inhabited of devils for a great time.”
Fire of war. — Devils. Whether they really dwell in ruins, or the people were of that opinion, (as the common sort are still) is not clear, Jeremias l. 39., and Isaias xxxiv. 14.
“Lo, thy sons come, whom thou sentest away, they come gathered together from the east to the west by the word of the Holy One, rejoicing in the glory of God.”
East and west. From Babylon and from the islands, Isaias xi. 11., and Zacharias viii. 7.