The Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:5

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Suffering, but not forsaken.

Israel is not forsaken because she is driven from her home. Babylon is not more favoured because she flourishes for a season as a "golden cup in the Lord's hand." For the land of the Chaldeans is filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel. Thus the truth is quite contrary to appearances.

I. WHEN GOD CHASTISES HIS PEOPLE HE MUST NOT BE THOUGHT TO HAVE FORSAKEN THEM. The chastisement is for their own good. It is, therefore, a proof that God has not neglected them. Instead of being an indication of hatred or indifference, chastisement is a sign of God's love. Moreover, when his people suffer God is peculiarly near to them. Those captives who hung their harps on the willows by the rivers of Babylon found God more present than he had been to the careless sinful Jews who assembled in the courts of his temple. It is to be remembered that God is near to us when we do not perceive him, and often nearest in those dark hours when bitterness of soul prevents us from having any comforting hope in him.

II. THOUGH GOD WILL CHASTISE HIS PEOPLE HE WILL NEVER FORSAKE THEM. This is a further step. Not only is the chastisement no proof of God's having forsaken his people, but in no case will he forsake them; no such proof can ever be found. True, they may be separated from God and may become "castaways;" but this is only because they forsake him. He is ever true to his side of the covenant. Let us, therefore, be prepared to expect the chastisement, but also be well settled in faith that the far worse trouble, the neglect of our souls by God, can never come.

III. OUTWARD CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NO INDICATIONS OF OUR RELATIONS WITH GOD. The great contrast between Israel and Babylon furnishes a striking instance of this truth. It is strange. For one would have thought that the outward and inward life would harmonize. So they will ultimately. Then the "golden cup" will be broken and the suffering child of God exalted to honour. But now the world is in confusion, evil is allowed a certain liberty for the consequent discipline of good, and thus the sufferers may be near to God while the fortunate and happy are far away in sin,

More for Jeremiah 51:5

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Jeremiah 51:1-58Jeremiah 51:1-58 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe particulars of this prophecy are dispersed and interwoven, and the same things left and returned to again. Babylon is abundant in treasures, yet neither her waters nor her wealth shall secure her. Destruction comes…The Judgment of Babylon. (b. c. 595.)Jeremiah 51:1-58 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE JUDGMENT OF BABYLON. (B. C. 595.) The particulars of this copious prophecy are dispersed and interwoven, and the same things left and returned to so often that it could not well be divided into parts, but we must en…The Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:1-64Jeremiah 51:1-64 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION The Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:5Jeremiah 51:5 · The Pulpit CommentaryHath not been forsaken. The Hebrew is much more forcible, "is not widowed"—alluding to the fundamental Old Testament idea of a mystic marriage between God and his people (comp. Isaiah 50:1; Isaiah 54:4-6; Hosea 2:1-23.)…The Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:5Jeremiah 51:5 · The Pulpit CommentaryDivine love not to be severed from its object. A marvellous statement. A down-trodden, sinful remnant of his people, who had broken every engagement of his covenant, is still owned and cared for. I. A PROOF OF THE FAITH…The Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:5Jeremiah 51:5 · The Pulpit CommentaryUnforsaken Israel. I. AN APPARENT FORSAKING. Israel looked forsaken. It was in exile, in captivity, and under the asserted judgment of Jehovah. We have always, to a certain extent, to accept the appearances of things. G…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Jeremiah 51:1-58The particulars of this prophecy are dispersed and interwoven, and the same things left and returned to again. Babylon is abundant in treasures, yet neither her waters nor her wealth shall secure her. Destruction comes…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Judgment of Babylon. (b. c. 595.)THE JUDGMENT OF BABYLON. (B. C. 595.) The particulars of this copious prophecy are dispersed and interwoven, and the same things left and returned to so often that it could not well be divided into parts, but we must en…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:1-64EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:5-14The covenant between Jehovah and Israel is one reason why Babylon must fall; and Babylon's own guilt is another. Hence pity is out of place. "Here liveth piety where pity ends; Can any man be guilty more than he Whose b…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:5Divine love not to be severed from its object. A marvellous statement. A down-trodden, sinful remnant of his people, who had broken every engagement of his covenant, is still owned and cared for. I. A PROOF OF THE FAITH…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:5Hath not been forsaken. The Hebrew is much more forcible, "is not widowed"—alluding to the fundamental Old Testament idea of a mystic marriage between God and his people (comp. Isaiah 50:1; Isaiah 54:4-6; Hosea 2:1-23.)…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Jeremiah 51:5Unforsaken Israel. I. AN APPARENT FORSAKING. Israel looked forsaken. It was in exile, in captivity, and under the asserted judgment of Jehovah. We have always, to a certain extent, to accept the appearances of things. G…Joseph S. Exell and contributors