collapse all  

Text -- Jeremiah 31:36 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
31:36 The Lord affirms, “The descendants of Israel will not cease forever to be a nation in my sight. That could only happen if the fixed ordering of the heavenly lights were to cease to operate before me.”
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · Israel a citizen of Israel.,a member of the nation of Israel


Dictionary Themes and Topics: JEREMIAH (2) | God | Ephraim | Astronomy | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Maclaren , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable

collapse all
Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Jer 31:36 - -- The ordinances of nature, which are God's establishments for the working of natural causes in their order.

The ordinances of nature, which are God's establishments for the working of natural causes in their order.

JFB: Jer 31:36 - -- Israel's national polity has been broken up by the Romans. But their preservation as a distinct people amidst violent persecutions, though scattered a...

Israel's national polity has been broken up by the Romans. But their preservation as a distinct people amidst violent persecutions, though scattered among all nations for eighteen centuries, unamalgamated, whereas all other peoples under such circumstances have become incorporated with the nations in which they have been dispersed, is a perpetual standing miracle (compare Jer 33:20; Psa 148:6; Isa 54:9-10).

Clarke: Jer 31:36 - -- If those ordinances - As sure as the sun shall give light to the day, and the moon to the night, so surely shall the Jews continue to be a distinct ...

If those ordinances - As sure as the sun shall give light to the day, and the moon to the night, so surely shall the Jews continue to be a distinct people. The same thing is expressed in other words in the next verse. Hitherto this prophecy has been literally fulfilled; the Jews are still a distinct people from all the dwellers upon earth. Every attempt that has been made in any country to naturalize and unite them with the people of that country, has proved abortive. The well-circumstanced attempt made this year (1830) in England, when the strongest interest was excited in their behalf, has also utterly failed. And why? Because of God’ s purpose expressed in Jer 31:35-37 of the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah.

Calvin: Jer 31:36 - -- He confirms the promises which we have been considering; for it was difficult to believe that the people would not only recover what they had lost, b...

He confirms the promises which we have been considering; for it was difficult to believe that the people would not only recover what they had lost, but also be made much more happy; for the Church was then wholly in a desponding state. It was not then an easy matter to raise, as it were, from the lowest depths a miserable people, and to comfort them so that they might overcome their dreadful trial; for the disorder of the Church was such, that had it been raised a hundred times from the dead, it might again be a hundred times crushed into death, for there still remained for it most grievous evils in future. This is then the reason why the Prophet dwells at large on proving the same thing.

He says in the person of God, “I am he who created the sun, the moon, and the stars; the regular order of things in creation still continues, for the sun performs its course, and so does the moon.” He speaks, indeed, of their diurnal course, for we know that the Prophets spoke popularly, and according to the common notions. Had they philosophized, as astrologers do, and spoken of the monthly course of the moon, and of the annual course of the sun, they could not have been understood by the common people. They were, therefore, satisfied to state things which even children could comprehend, even that the sun made its circuit daily round the world, that the moon did the same, and that the stars in their turns followed; so that the moon holds the first place in the night among the stars, and that the sun rules during the day. “I am the Lord,” he says, “who have fixed this order of things which still remains:” I cut or divide the sea, he says, that is, I stir it up with tempests, and make a noise, or roar, do its waves.”

He mentions things which are contrary, but not inconsistent, though different. For the course of the sun, moon, and stars is regular and fixed, and so he calls their courses חקת cheket, and החקים echekim, that is, decrees, which are not changeable. 56 Then in the heavens we find an order so arranged and regulated, that nothing deviates from its appointed course. But in storms and tempests God seems as though he would shake the world and overturn what appears otherwise immovable; for even the very rocks, as it were, tremble when the sea is violently stirred up; and yet God calms the very sea, and thus puts an end to storms and tempests, so that there ever appears to be a stability and a perpetuity in nature. He then adds, If removed shall these laws be from my presence, the seed of Israel shall also fail; that is, “As certain as is the stability of the order of nature, seen in the course of the sun and the moon, and in the turbulent sea, so certain will be the deliverance of ray Church, nor can it ever be destroyed.” The tempest on the sea seems to shake the world, and yet the world remains fixed. The sun and moon, when they rise, might overwhelm the whole earth; for we know that the sun is much larger than the earth. While so large a body, and almost immeasurable, hangs over our heads, and rolls on so swiftly, who ought not to be afraid? Yet the sun proceeds in its course, and the earth remains firm, because it so pleases God. There is, therefore, no reason to fear that the safety of the Church should ever fail, for the laws or decrees of nature shall never cease; that is, God, who has from the beginning governed the world, will not disregard the welfare of his Church, for whose sake the world has been created.

Nor, indeed, is it a matter of wonder, that the safety of the Church is here shewn to be so secure, for it may justly be preferred even to the fixed course of the sun and of the moon, and to other institutions of nature. But God deemed it enough in this place to use this comparison, according to what is said in the Psalms, where the sun and the moon are called his faithful witnesses in heaven. (Psa 89:36) But there also the covenant is spoken of, which God was about to make with his people through his only-begotten Son. He mentions the moon as his witness in heaven; but as I have already said elsewhere, he raises us far above the world and above all the elements, yea, above the sun and the moon, when he treats of the certainty of our salvation; and, doubtless, the condition of the Church does not depend on the state of the world; for it is said in another place,

“They shall grow old, but thou wilt remain for ever.”
(Psa 102:26)

And the Prophet there compares the heavens to garments, which wear out by use, and at length become useless; but the condition of the Church, he says, is far different. He does not, indeed, express these words; but after having said, “Thou, O God, art the same from eternity,” he comes to the eternity of the Church, “Thy children’s children shall endure.” We now see that the Church has the preference over the whole world. But God had a regard in this place to the weakness of his people, when he said that his grace to his people would be as sure and certain as the institutions of nature. Some refer the last clause in verse 35 (Jer 31:35) to the Red Sea; because God divided the Red Sea; but this is wholly foreign to the meaning of the Prophet, nor does it require any confutation; but I have pointed it out that no one may be led astray.

Defender: Jer 31:36 - -- The sun, moon and stars have been created to last forever (Psa 148:3-6) and so will the nation Israel."

The sun, moon and stars have been created to last forever (Psa 148:3-6) and so will the nation Israel."

TSK: Jer 31:36 - -- those : Jer 33:20-26; Psa 72:5, Psa 72:17, Psa 89:36, Psa 89:37, Psa 102:28, Psa 119:89, Psa 148:6; Isa 54:9, Isa 54:10 cease : Jer 46:28; Deu 32:26; ...

collapse all
Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Jer 31:36 - -- If those - If these. From the uniformity of God’ s operations in the material world, the prophet deduces the certainty of a similar unifor...

If those - If these. From the uniformity of God’ s operations in the material world, the prophet deduces the certainty of a similar uniformity in God’ s dealings with man in things spiritual.

A nation - A people. Israel has long ceased to be a nation, but it still exists as a numerous, influential, and distinct people. In Mat 28:19-20 Jeremiah’ s prophecy receives its Christian application, and Israel becomes the Church, with the promise of perpetual existence. It has no national existence, but its members ought to be a strongly marked people, refusing to be merged in the world, while everywhere they pervade and influence it.

Poole: Jer 31:36 - -- There are ordinances of worship, which are God’ s laws relating to his worship; and ordinances of justice, which are God’ s laws for the e...

There are ordinances of worship, which are God’ s laws relating to his worship; and ordinances of justice, which are God’ s laws for the executing civil justice; and ordinances of nature, which are God’ s establishments for the working of natural causes in their order; these are those here spoken of, which shall hold and continue to the dissolution of the world, the continuance of which God pawneth as a pledge of the continuance of Israel as a nation all the days , (so it is in the Hebrew,) that is, many days, or all the days they shall keep close with him, or which he hath appointed. If we interpret it (as in our version)

for ever it must be understood not of Israel according to the flesh, but of the church, the true Israel of God, which shall never fail.

Haydock: Jer 31:36 - -- Ever. Like the Chanaanites and Ephraim during the captivity, Isaias vii. 8. God restored the latter. Yet they are again dispersed from above 17 ...

Ever. Like the Chanaanites and Ephraim during the captivity, Isaias vii. 8. God restored the latter. Yet they are again dispersed from above 17 centuries, so that this perpetuity, which shall equal the world's duration, belongs to the Church. (Calmet) ---

Israel remains, not in the incredulous Jews, but in those who with the apostles embraced and propagated the faith of Christ. (St. Jerome) (Worthington)

Gill: Jer 31:36 - -- If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord,.... Of the sun, moon, and stars; should these leave their proper course, and not perform th...

If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord,.... Of the sun, moon, and stars; should these leave their proper course, and not perform their several functions, or do the service appointed for them; should they desert their master, or disobey his orders, turn away from him, and pay no regard to the laws and rules he has set them:

then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before me for ever; but, as the former is impossible, so is the latter, The Jews ceased not from being a nation through their captivity in Babylon, nor through their destruction by the Romans; they continue a distinct nation and people to this day, though scattered throughout the nations of the world: though this rather refers to the spiritual Israel, the holy nation and peculiar people; Christ will have a seed to serve him as long as the sun and moon endure; his church shall continue to the end of the world; it is built on a rock; and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it.

expand all
Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Jer 31:36 Heb “‘If these fixed orderings were to fail to be present before me,’ oracle of the Lord, ‘then the seed of Israel could cease...

expand all
Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Jer 31:1-40 - --1 The restoration of Israel.10 The publication thereof.15 Rahel mourning is comforted.18 Ephraim repenting is brought home again.22 Christ is promised...

Maclaren: Jer 31:36 - --What The Stable Creation Teaches If those ordinances depart from before Me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nat...

MHCC: Jer 31:35-40 - --As surely as the heavenly bodies will continue their settled course, according to the will of their Creator, to the end of time, and as the raging sea...

Matthew Henry: Jer 31:35-40 - -- Glorious things have been spoken in the foregoing verses concerning the gospel church, which that epocha of the Jewish church that was to commence a...

Keil-Delitzsch: Jer 31:31-40 - -- The new covenant. - Jer 31:31. "Behold, days are coming, saith Jahveh, when I will make with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a ...

Constable: Jer 2:1--45:5 - --II. Prophecies about Judah chs. 2--45 The first series of prophetic announcements, reflections, and incidents th...

Constable: Jer 30:1--33:26 - --C. The Book of Consolation chs. 30-33 This section of the Book of Jeremiah is a collection of prophecies...

Constable: Jer 30:1--31:40 - --1. The restoration of all Israel chs. 30-31 Two things mark these first two chapters of the Book...

Constable: Jer 31:35-37 - --Permanent restoration 31:35-37 31:35 The Lord reminded His people that He was the one who controlled the course of nature, not Baal. It operated regul...

expand all
Introduction / Outline

JFB: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) JEREMIAH, son of Hilkiah, one of the ordinary priests, dwelling in Anathoth of Benjamin (Jer 1:1), not the Hilkiah the high priest who discovered the ...

JFB: Jeremiah (Outline) EXPOSTULATION WITH THE JEWS, REMINDING THEM OF THEIR FORMER DEVOTEDNESS, AND GOD'S CONSEQUENT FAVOR, AND A DENUNCIATION OF GOD'S COMING JUDGMENTS FOR...

TSK: Jeremiah 31 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Jer 31:1, The restoration of Israel; Jer 31:10, The publication thereof; Jer 31:15, Rahel mourning is comforted; Jer 31:18, Ephraim repen...

Poole: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH THE ARGUMENT IT was the great unhappiness of this prophet to be a physician to, but that could not save, a dying sta...

Poole: Jeremiah 31 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 31 The restoration of Israel published, Jer 31:1-14 . Rachel mourning is comforted, Jer 31:15-17 . Ephraim repenting is brought home, Jer 3...

MHCC: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) Jeremiah was a priest, a native of Anathoth, in the tribe of Benjamin. He was called to the prophetic office when very young, about seventy years afte...

MHCC: Jeremiah 31 (Chapter Introduction) (Jer 31:1-9) The restoration of Israel. (Jer 31:10-17) Promises of guidance and happiness; Rachel lamenting. (Jer 31:18-20) Ephraim laments his erro...

Matthew Henry: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah The Prophecies of the Old Testament, as the Epistles of the New, are p...

Matthew Henry: Jeremiah 31 (Chapter Introduction) This chapter goes on with the good words and comfortable words which we had in the chapter before, for the encouragement of the captives, assuring ...

Constable: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title of this book derives from its writer, the late seventh an...

Constable: Jeremiah (Outline) Outline I. Introduction ch. 1 A. The introduction of Jeremiah 1:1-3 B. T...

Constable: Jeremiah Jeremiah Bibliography Aharoni, Yohanan, and Michael Avi-Yonah. The Macmillan Bible Atlas. Revised ed. London: C...

Haydock: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) THE PROPHECY OF JEREMIAS. INTRODUCTION. Jeremias was a priest, a native of Anathoth, a priestly city, in the tribe of Benjamin, and was sanct...

Gill: Jeremiah (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH The title of the book in the Vulgate Latin version is, "the Prophecy of Jeremiah"; in the Syriac and Arabic versions, "the...

Gill: Jeremiah 31 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 31 This chapter is connected with the former, respects the same times, and is full of prophecies and promises of spiritual...

Advanced Commentary (Dictionaries, Hymns, Arts, Sermon Illustration, Question and Answers, etc)


created in 0.42 seconds
powered by
bible.org - YLSA