Jer 17:19-27 | Clarke | STEP | Verse 19 The gate of the children of the people - I suppose the most public gate is meant; that through which there was the greatest thoroughfare.

Jeremiah 17:19-27

Verse 19

The gate of the children of the people - I suppose the most public gate is meant; that through which there was the greatest thoroughfare. Verse 20

Ye kings of Judah, and all Judah - This last clause is wanting in eight of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS., in the Arabic, and some copies of the Septuagint. Verse 21

Take heed to yourselves and bear no burden - From this and the following verses we find the ruin of the Jews attributed to the breach of the Sabbath; as this led to a neglect of sacrifice, the ordinances of religion, and all public worship, so it necessarily brought with it all immorality. This breach of the Sabbath was that which let in upon them all the waters of God's wrath. Verse 24

If ye diligently hearken unto me - So we find that though their destruction was positively threatened, yet still there was an unexpressed proviso that, if they did return to the Lord, the calamities should be averted, and a succession of princes would have been continued on the throne of David, Jer 17:25, Jer 17:26. Verse 27

But if ye will not hearken - Then their sin lay at their own door. How fully were they warned; and how basely did they reject the counsel of God against themselves!