Comments on Jeremiah 16 This chapter predicts both the imminent scattering of Judah by the king of Babylon (v. 1-13), and the less imminent gathering of Israel (v. 14-21). v1-13 The Lord announces the Babylonian invasion is to occur on short order. v1-4 Jeremiah is told to wait on taking a wife and having children as the destruction is so imminent they wouldn't have a chance (v. 1-2). They would just die of plague or famine before having a chance to grow up (v. 3-4). Verse 3 also makes it clear the parents will be accounted among the dead as well. Overall, the statement is intended to emphasize how soon the invasion of Babylon really is. The Babylonian invasion has been explicitly predicted since Isaiah's time (cf. Isa. 39), so its not like the people haven't heard all about it before. By now they must be kind of bored of it. But here, the Lord makes it perfectly clear it definitely just a matter of few years at most. v5-9 Here the Lord makes it perfectly clear the entire society is going to be overthrown (v. 9). This will not be a few deaths or some small skirmish where the dead are mourned by the survivors following regular customs (5-8). No, this is total upheaval where there is nothing but death or exile. v7 "the cup of consolation", cp. Prov. 31:6. v10-13 The Lord predicts the hard-hearted people will ask Jeremiah why it is they will be punished in such a manner (v. 10- 11). The Lord tells Jeremiah to respond bluntly that it is because their fathers abandoned the Lord for their idols and broke the Law (v. 12). And because they themselves are even more wicked and hard-hearted than their fathers are (v. 13). And so the Lord will cast them out of the Promised Land and send them to where they will ironically be forced to worship other gods (v. 14). v14-21 This section foretells the restoration of Israel. It starts out in such a manner as to make is clear that the scattering described above necessitate a gathering, "Therefore, behold, the days come...." It is a cause and effect situation. The scattering necessarily requires a gathering. These verses follow the same sort rhetorical style as found in 3:22-23 with the Lord speaking and Israel responding. v14-15 In a future setting the Israelites will witness a miraculous delivery firsthand and praise the Lord for it (v. 14- 15). The Lord will restore them to the Promised Land (v. 15). Compare 23:7-8 where a similar statement occurs in a blatantly eschatological context. v16-18 The Lord will send out "fishermen" and "hunters" to hunt down and afflict the wicked among Israel (v. 16) as they cannot hide from Him (v. 17). Before gathering them, He will punish them twofold for their sins because they have polluted His land (v. 18). v18 "recompense...sin double", cp. 17:18, Isa. 40:2, Isa. 65:7, Hosea 10:10 for similar statements and cf. Exod. 22:7-9 for the original source. "the carcasses", referring to the lifeless forms of the idols referred to later in the line as "detestable and abominable things". v19-20 Repentant, restored Israel confesses their guilt and their father's guilt in sinning against Him (v. 20). They confess He is Lord of all the earth (v. 19). v21 Therefore, as a result of their rebellion He will restore them, and in doing so make His name known to them. By afflicting them with covenant curses He will chasten them. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.