Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 18:10
If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
Verse 10. See Clarke on Jer 18:7.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Speaking, Jer 18:9, and repenting, Jer 18:10, must be understood in the same sense as in the two former verses. The reason of this is, because in all Gods threatenings and promises of this nature there is a condition either expressed or understood. Gods threatenings of evil must be understood with this condition, Unless men and women repent and turn from their evil ways; and his promises of good must be understood with this condition. If those to whom they are made be a willing and obedient people, and keep in the way of the Lords statutes.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
If it do evil in my sight,…. What is sinful, contrary to the law and will of God, openly and publicly, in a bold and daring manner:
that it obey not my voice: in my word, and by my prophets, but turn a deaf ear to them, and slight and despise all instructions, admonitions, and reproofs:
then I will repent of the good wherewith I said I would benefit them; or, “do them good” t; that is, withhold it from them, and not bestow it on them; but, on the contrary, correct or punish them according to their deserts. Thus, though God is a sovereign God, yet, in the dispensations of his providence towards kingdoms and nations, he deals with them in such a merciful and equitable manner, that there is no just reason to complain of him; and yet he maintains and keeps up his power and authority, such as the potter exercises over the clay.
t “ad benefaciendum ei”, Montanus; “ut benefacerem ei”, Valablus, Pagninus; “benefacturum ei”, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Now follows the opposite clause, But if it will do evil before mine eyes, so as not to hear my voice; that is, when a nation has been planted through my kindness, (for this is required by the context,) then I will repent, etc. By this denunciation is meant, that God would tread in the dust those whom he had favored with singular benefits, on account of the abuse made of them; although he had said, “When I promise bountifully and freely to a nation or a kingdom everything that can be wished, except my favor and goodness be rightly received, then I repent of the good done to it.” The meaning is, that the way of pardon is always open, when a sinner turns to God, and that it is in vain for men to boast of God’s promises, except, they in fear and obedience submit themselves to him.
Both these things were necessary; that is, that the Jews should know that God would be entreated if they repented, and that his promises could not be extended to those who were guilty of such gross abuse as a total disregard of his law and his prophets. Then the Prophet mentions here the ordinary course, — that as soon as men repented, they might safely and fully expect good things from God, for he is inclined to mercy; and then, that no nation, however it may excel in gifts, ought to indulge a foolish confidence and to use its present glory as means to despise its giver, for God can take away what he has given. The real import of the whole then is, that we cannot expect to enjoy the benefits which God bestows on us, except we persevere in faithfulness and in the fear of him. It is indeed cmtain that God’s blessings do not depend on worthiness in man; but still he will not have his bounty to be despised, as was the case with the Jews, and at this day it is a common thing in the world. It now follows,–
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
10. I will repent of the good How fearful an illustration of this did God furnish in this very place. They who bought this potter’s field with the price of innocent and holy blood, furnish by so doing an historically perpetual and most sad and impressive instance of a potter’s vessel dashed to destruction.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jer 18:10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
Ver. 10. Then will I repent of the good. ] I will take away mine own, and be gone; Hos 2:9 “curse their blessings,” Mal 2:2 and “destroy them after that I have done them good”; as Jos 24:20 and all this, whether for the better or for the worse to a nation, God usually doth on the sudden; “At what instant,” &c. Mercies, the more unexpected, the more welcome; judgments, the more sudden, the more direful they are.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
do: Jer 7:23-28, Psa 125:5, Eze 18:24, Eze 33:18, Eze 45:20, Zep 1:6
then: Num 14:22, Num 14:34, 1Sa 2:30, 1Sa 13:13, 1Sa 15:11, 1Sa 15:35
Reciprocal: 2Sa 12:9 – to do evil Psa 80:8 – thou hast cast
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 18:10. I will repent, both here and in verse 8, means the Lord will change his mind concerning what he had said he would do for the nation. The fundamental meaning of repentance is “change,” whether done by man or the Lord, When man repents he changes his will, and when God repents he wills a change-a change in his plans-due to the changed conditions surrounding the nation or persons involved.