Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 18:9
And [at what] instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant [it];
Verse 9. See Clarke on Jer 18:7.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And [at what] instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom,…. By way of promise on the other hand: or, “and the moment I shall speak”, c. as in Jer 18:7 in favour to a people; signifying, that if they do that which is right and good, and continue therein, it may be expected that I will appear for and among such a nation and kingdom:
to build and to plant [it]; to build up its fences that have been broken down, and to plant it with pleasant plants, and make it prosperous and flourishing, and protect and defend it, and keep it safe, and in a secure condition; so that it shall be in very thriving circumstances, and be out of the power of its enemies to hurt it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
On the other hand, he affirms, that the lost are restored, when the Lord speaks suddenly, of a nation and of a kingdom, to build and to plant; as though it was said, — “I will not only forgive, but I am ready to bestow blessings on those whom I had previously rejected as mine enemies.” Then God amplifies his goodness when he says, that he will not only forgive the sins of men, so as freely to pardon them, but that he is ready to bestow on them all kinds of blessings, if they seek to be reconciled to him.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
Jer 18:9 And [at what] instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant [it];
Ver. 9. And at what instant I shall speak. ] All is done as God the great Induperator commandeth, whether it be for or against a nation, or a particular man only. Job 34:29
To build or to plant it.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
to build, &c. = to declare that it should be built and planted.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
to build: Jer 1:10, Jer 11:17, Jer 30:18, Jer 31:4, Jer 31:28, Jer 31:38, Jer 32:41, Ecc 3:2, Amo 9:11-15
Reciprocal: Num 14:34 – ye shall 1Sa 2:30 – Be it far 2Sa 7:10 – plant them Psa 80:8 – thou hast cast
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 18:9. At what instant has the same sense as in verse 7. God often made favorable promises and predictions concerning nations as well as individuals, but they were made subject to certain conditions or restrictions.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jer 18:9-10. If I shall speak concerning a nation to build and to plant That is, To advance and establish all the true interests of it; if it do evil in my sight, &c. If it lose its piety and virtue, and become profane and vicious; then will I repent of the good, &c. I will not proceed with the good work which I was performing in its behalf, but it shall be intermitted; and what favours were further designed it shall be withheld. Thus God changed his purpose concerning Elis house, 1Sa 2:30; and hurried Israel back into the wilderness, when he had brought them within sight of Canaan; and thus he rejected those lost sheep of the house of Israel who refused to embrace the gospel, notwithstanding the general promises he had made to that people, and even after he had sent his Son to seek and save them. In like manner neither can any particular Christians, nor Christian churches, lay any claim to Gods general promise of preserving and finally saving them, any further than they keep close to that rule of faith and manners which he hath prescribed to them in the New Testament.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Conversely, if He purposed to bless a nation, and then it did evil and was disobedient to Him, He could change His mind and not bless it. God does not repent as humans do, but He does relent. That is, He does not abandon evil ways for good ways, nor does He change His mind about everything, but He does become less severe (or more severe) in dealing with people. [Note: See Thomas L. Constable, Talking to God: What the Bible Teaches about Prayer, pp. 149-52.] The character of the clay determined to some extent what the potter would do with it. People who broke the covenant and rejected Yahweh’s sovereignty over them were not material through which He would fulfill His purposes.
"The principle is simply the working out of covenant stipulations. Treaties and covenants regularly included conditions for the covenant. For the keeping of covenant, the lord promises blessings on the vassal; but for breaking covenant, the lord promises punishment for the vassal. What was true in the political arena was also true for God and his relationship with his creation. The closest biblical parallel to a working out of this principle is the case of the Ninevites in the Book of Jonah." [Note: Drinkard, p. 245.]
"This is a statement of first-class importance for our understanding of all prophecy, removing it entirely from the realm of fatalism. However stark the prediction (except where God has expressly declared it irreversible), it is always open to revision . . ." [Note: Kidner, pp. 76-77. See also Robert Chisholm, "When Prophecy Appears to Fail, Check Your Hermeneutic," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 53:3 (September 2010):561-77.]