Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 5:23
But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
23. The people are rebellious, even as inanimate nature sometimes is. But Jehovah can control both.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Jer 5:23-24
But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
Israels apostasy
Our state of heart and mind toward God is shown, not by those emotions which are kindled in us on receiving any extraordinary mercy, nor by what we do under the influence of those emotions, but by the habitual condition of our hearts and minds toward God as concerned in His everyday gifts and our everyday doings.
I. The accusation made.
I. God complains of revolt and rebellion against Him. The only rightful ruler over all: whose power is absolute and independent, whose wisdom is unerring, whose justice perfect, and whose goodness infinite: whose statutes are all right, rejoicing the right-hearted, whose commandment is all pure, enlightening the eye that is single.
2. And what thought was it in their hearts, which God construed as rebellion against Him? It took in Israels heart the simple and familiar form of mere unthankfulness to God for common mercies.
II. The proof of their rebellion and revolt.
1. They did not in the gift of a good harvest discern God at all.
2. If, as I feel too much afraid it is, this part of the proof of a rebellious heart be in us, of necessity the other part will not be wanting: and as God saith in the text of His people of old, Neither say they in their hearts, Let us now fear the Lord our God, so neither shall we say the same. The goodness of God is meant to lead men to repentance. (F. C. Clark, B. A.)
Sin is revolt and rebellion against Christ-our King
One day, over in Australia, at Maryboro, an unusually fine-looking man came in and said, I want to talk with you. I dont know about your preaching. I am a moral, upright man, and nobody can deny it. I should like you to tell me what you have got against me. I said, Are you a Christian? No, sir. Well, then, I charge you with high treason against your King. God made Him so, and I charge you–and I looked him right in the eye–with the crime of high treason against your King. An awful cloud came over the mans face. He got up and walked out of the room. Months passed away. We had been over to Tasmania, and got back to Australia, and were preaching at Ballarat, about forty miles, I think, from Maryboro. At the close of one of my meetings, a fine-looking man came and said, Do you remember me? I replied, I have seen you somewhere but 1 cannot trace you. Do you remember charging a man with high treason? I said, I have charged many a man with high treason. He said, Do you remember charging a specific man? and he narrated the circumstances. Yes, I said, I do. He replied, I am the man. You will never charge me with it again. He held out his hand and I held out mine. He took me in his mighty grip, and dropped on his knees and I on mine. He looked up and said, Lord Jesus, I hand in my allegiance; I give up my treason and take Thee as my King. You men ought to do it tonight. (A. Torrey.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 23. They are revolted and gone.] They have abandoned me, and are gone farther and farther into transgression. They are gone entirely away from truth and righteousness.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They are not only revolted from me, and gone back, but they continue obstinate, and will not return, Psa 78:8, as the next clause intimates, where God shows their obstinacy by the effect of it.
Gone, viz. from me, they persist in their courses, no reclaiming of them; for they are not only revolted, but they are gone quite away, and are irreclaimable.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
23. (Jer6:28).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Ver. 23 But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart,…. They are not so obedient as the sea and its waves; nor so firm and stable as the sand that is set for the bound of it. This is a reproof and an aggravation of the revoltings and rebellions of this people:
they are revolted and gone; they had departed from the ways of the Lord, and were gone back from his worship, as the Targum; and were gone into evil ways, and to a false worship; they not only had revolted, but they went on, they continued therein, and went further and further, off from God and his worship.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Here the previous verse is completed; for what is said here is connected with the question which we have noticed. But God now proves more clearly why he adduced what he said of the sea. The copulative ו , vau, is to be taken here as an adversative, and to be thus rendered, But this people have a perverse heart: for סורר , surer, means “ perverse; ” some render it “ revolting, “ but improperly; for it appears from many other passages that it is something more: besides, the other meaning is more suitable to the context here; for he says first, that the people had a perverse heart; (151) and then, that they had a rebellious or an untamable heart. He no doubt compares the obstinacy with the obedience of the sea, or sets one in contrast with the other, and conveys simply this truth, that there was more fury and stupidity in that people than in the raging sea.
And he proves that the people had a perverse heart by the effect; for they had fallen away and departed Had he said only that they had fallen away, the proof would not have been so complete; but by adding “departed, “he points out their obstinacy; as though he had said, that their corruption was permanent, like settled diseases, which can be healed by no remedies. They have then fallen away and departed; that is, “I could not bring them back.” God had indeed often tried by his servants to restore them to a right course; but their perverseness only discovered itself more and more, and shewed itself to be irreclaimable; for they departed, so that there was no prospect of repentance. It follows —
(151) It is true that the idea of perverseness is conveyed by this word; but it means one bent on turning away from God. To turn away, or to apostatize, is its primary meaning, as in the latter clause of this verse; but here it is a participle in a reduplicate form, which has ever an expansive meaning. It means here either a heart continually turning away from God, or a heart resolutely determined to turn away from him. The last seems to be the meaning, as it appears to correspond with the next line, —
But in this people has been a heart, Thoroughly revolting and disobedient; They have revolted and gone away.
When they turned away from God or revolted, they were remonstrated with and exhorted to return; but they disobeyed; hence their thorough revolt and their going away. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(23) But this people . . .The contrast seems to lie in the fact that the elements are subject to Gods will, but that mans rebellious will, with its fatal gift of freedom, has the power to resist it. The two adjectives revolting and rebellious (the negative and positive aspects of apostasy) are joined together, as in Deu. 21:18; Deu. 21:20.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
DISCOURSE: 1039
GODS BOUNTIES, AND OUR INGRATITUDE
Jer 5:23-24. This people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart. They are revolted and gone: neither say they in. their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
AS Ministers of the Gospel, our chief employment is to open to you the hidden mystery of Redemption, and to present for your acceptance the unsearchable riches of Christ. Yet there are times and seasons when we must assume somewhat of the sterner aspect of the prophets; and, in the name of our Divine Master, address you in the language of reproof. The Jews, no doubt, were a stiff-necked people, and needed to be reproved in terms of the greatest severity Would to God that we, under our more liberal dispensation, were not obnoxious also to the same charge! But really, the commission given to the prophet is far from being unsuitable to us at this time, or improper to be executed towards you: Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying, Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; who have eyes, and see not; who have ears, and hear not: Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? But this people have a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone: neither say they in their heart, Let us fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
In these words the prophet reproves the Jews,
I.
For their contempt of Gods authority
They were indeed a rebellious and gainsaying people [Note: Rom 10:21.]
[God had chosen them for his own peculiar people; and had given them his law, written with his own hand on tables of stone. But from the very beginning they were a rebellious people, casting off their allegiance to God, and revolting from him, to the service of gods that could not profit nor deliver them. And though God called them to him by a succession of prophets, they refused to return to him; yea, so bent were the whole nation to backslide from God, that none at all would exalt him [Note: Hos 11:5; Hos 11:7.].]
And what are we better than they [Note: Rom 3:9.]?
[God has given to us also his Law. And who amongst us obeys it? Who desires to obey it? Who really, and in truth, endeavours to obey it? What, if we do not bow down to stocks and stones; do we not, in fact, love and serve the creature more than the Creator, even as they did [Note: Rom 1:25.]? Who amongst us either abstains from any act, purely because it would displease God; or performs any act, purely from a desire to please him? I grant, we may abstain from many evils, and perform many duties; but by what motive are we impelled? We shall find that our own gratification, or the approbation of man, has a far stronger influence on our minds than any consideration of Gods favour; and that in the spirit of our mind we are as much revolted from God as over the Jews themselves were
But God has given to us his Gospel also, saying, Whatever contempt they have shewn to Moses and the prophets, they will reverence my Son. But have we obeyed his voice, and taken upon us his light and easy yoke? No, indeed: we have been as regardless of Christ as if he had never come into the world. We have indeed called him Lord; but we have not done the things which he has said [Note: Luk 6:46.]. Say, my Brethren, whether we have fled to him for refuge, as the only Saviour of our souls? Say, whether we have surrendered up ourselves to him as his devoted followers, and made it the one labour of our lives to glorify him with our body and our spirit, which are his [Note: 1Co 6:20.]? Look at all around you, and see whether this be their state: and then look within, and let conscience tell you whether it be your own state: and, if it be not, then is the reproof in my text merited by you, far more than by the Jews themselves; inasmuch as you sin against greater light, and far richer mercies than they.]
God was ever endeavouring to reclaim his people: yet did his mercies only serve to mark their ingratitude, and bring reproof upon them,
II.
For their insensibility to his love
Not all the mercies vouchsafed unto them could bring them to a better mind
[God had promised them a supply of all temporal blessings, if they would serve him with diligence and fidelity. And notwithstanding they violated their obligations continually, he still imparted to them the blessings they had so justly forfeited, sending thorn rain and fruitful seasons, as if they had not offended him at all. And what did he expect in return for these mercies? He doubtless expected, that, from a sense of gratitude for such unmerited kindness, they would reform their lives, and devote themselves to his service. But, behold, they still continued their disobedience; and none of them said in their hearts, Let us fear the Lord our God, who has done such great things for us, This was a great aggravation of their guilt, and could not fail to bring down upon them Gods heavy displeasure ]
And what effect, let me ask, have Gods mercies produced on us?
[Behold, in his mercy he has now sent us rain [Note: Deu 11:13-15.], which we so greatly needed, and has given us a prospect of a harvest; when, if the drought had continued much longer, we should have been reduced to a state of extreme scarcity or famine, And what does God expect at our hands, but that we say one to another, Let us now fear the Lord our God, who has vouchsafed to us this seasonable relief [Note: See Joe 2:23-27.]? Surely this is not more than the occasion calls for. But is this the way in which we are now requiting God for his mercies? Is this the feeling of men in general? Has it been the feeling of our own hearts? Have we humbled ourselves before him? and has the goodness of our God led us to repentance [Note: Rom 2:4.]?
But what shall I say, if I put the question in reference to spiritual blessings? God has given to us, not merely the bread that perisheth, but that also which eudureth unto everlasting life. And not only has he sent us rain to refresh and fructify the parched ground, but he has sent us also his Holy Spirit, to revive and fertilize our barren souls. Whatever may be said of less-favoured places, I trust we have reason to acknowledge the bounties of heaven in these respects. What, then, should be the state of our minds? Should not we be penetrated with a sense of gratitude to God? Should not we determine for ourselves, and stimulate one another to fear and serve him? Yea, might we not expect that the very stones should cry out against us, if we neglected to express our gratitude in this way? But how is it with us? Where are the persons who are so impressed? Where are the persons who are so exercised? Where are the persons who thus fear the Lord and his goodness [Note: Hos 3:5.]? Alas! alas! We may condemn the Jews for their obstinacy; but sure I am we have far greater reason to condemn ourselves as the most ungrateful of men, when not even the mercy of redemption itself has been able to bring us effectually to our God ]
And now, what shall I say unto you? Two requests I would make:
1.
Mark the dealings of God with you
[Mark those which relate to you as members of the community at large; for in those you are deeply interested: let not the gift of rain, or genial seasons, and of abundant harvests, be overlooked, because they are common; but let them all lead you in devout thankfulness to your God. And mark still more especially his dealings with you as individuals, his mercies, and his judgments, of whatever kind they be; for they all have a voice to you, and may be improved to your spiritual and eternal good. Have you mercies? Let them incline you to a willing and unreserved surrender of yourselves to God [Note: Rom 12:1.], Have you judgments? Hear the rod, and him that hath appointed it [Note: Mic 6:9.]. Only improve the providences that occur: and you shall never want a providence to improve.]
2.
Cultivate the mind which God requires
[He requires all to fear and tremble at his presence [Note: ver. 21.]. And, I beseech you, account not that a legal and undesirable frame of mind. Indeed, indeed, it is the safest state for all of us. I would not undervalue exalted joys: but I confess I love most the religion of a sinner: I love humility and self-abasement: I love the fleeing to Christ, and the washing daily and hourly in the fountain of his blood. I love religion, under the character of holy fear; and I would have you to be in the fear of the Lord all the day long. Not that it is a slavish fear that I would recommend, or a fear that is constrained by an apprehension of Gods displeasure. No; it is a fear that proceeds from love; a fear that is inspired by a sense of gratitude, and that is dictated, as it were, by your own hearts; saying, Come, let us fear the Lord our God, who has done such great things for us. It is this, this cordial willingness, this impatient desire, that puts all the value into the disposition which I am now recommending to you. And be not contented to experience this fear in your own hearts, but endeavour to impress it on all around you. Let it grieve you to see the hardness and obduracy of all your neighbours: and take occasion from every mercy, whether temporal or spiritual, to stimulate all, even to the remotest ends of the earth, to love, and serve, and glorify their God.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
Jer 5:23 But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
Ver. 23. But this people have a revolting and rebellious heart. ] a Cor recedens et amaricans; gone they are, and return they will not. Apostates are dangerous creatures, and mischievous above others; witness Julian, once a forward professor; Lucian, once a preacher at Antioch; Staphylus and Latomus, once great Lutherans, afterwards eager Popelings. Harding was the target of Popery in England, saith Peter Moulin, against which he had once been a thundering preacher in this land, wishing he could cry out against it as loud as the bells of Oseney. The Lady Jane Grey, whose chaplain he had sometimes been, gave him excellent counsel in a letter; but he was revolted and gone past call. b
a . – Sept.
b Acts and Mon., fol. 1291.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
a revolting: Jer 5:5, Jer 6:28, Jer 17:9, Psa 95:10, Isa 1:5, Isa 31:6, Hos 4:8, Hos 11:7, Heb 3:12
Reciprocal: 1Ki 13:28 – the lion had Isa 30:1 – the rebellious Isa 59:13 – speaking Isa 65:2 – a rebellious Jer 4:17 – because Jer 13:10 – evil Eze 12:2 – thou Hos 6:4 – what
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 5:23. Revolting and rebellious are about the same except as to the degree of their unfavorable attitude. The latter refers especially to the state of mind and the former means the act of leaving due to that attitude. The people had not gone away literally but had done so in conduct, hence the Lord decided to send them out of the land bodily and as a nation into the territory of another.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
God’s people had proved stubborn and rebellious at heart. "They were not ignorant, but obstinate." [Note: Morgan, p. 322.] Unlike the sea, they failed to submit to Yahweh’s sovereignty (cf. Jer 1:3). In their actions they had turned aside (Heb. shub), apostatized, and departed from the Lord and His covenant.