Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

JEREMIAH - CHAPTER 19

A LESSON FROM AN EARTHEN BOTTLE

As the sign of the potter’s house was for the benefit of JEREMIAH , himself, this one is intended for the kings, priests, prophets and people of Judah.

1. Once again Jeremiah is to go to the pottery - this time to PURCHASE an earthenware bottle.

a. He does not demand to know what God can possibly want with a bottle.

b. He knows that God has a purpose for all that He commands; thus, acts on God’s command, knowing that, in His own time, God will tell him what he is to do with it.

2. Having secured the bottle, Jeremiah is to take with him, to "the valley of the Son of Hinnom" (which is outside the East gate of Jerusalem), some of the elders of the people, and of the priests.

3. There he is to proclaim whatever the Lord commands - which means that Jeremiah cannot be concerned about semantic, effect, tact or diplomacy; he is to proclaim the WORD OF THE LORD faithfully!

Vs. 3-9: A WARNING OF IMPENDING JUDGMENT UPON

UNREPENTED SIN

1. The kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem, are summoned to hear "the word of Jehovah" - the Lord of hosts and the God of Israel - Who is sending such a message of judgment as will cause their ears to tingle, (vs. 3; Jeremiah 6:19; 1 Samuel 3:11-14; 1 Samuel 4:18).

2. Nor does He leave room for them to question WHY; the necessity of divine judgment is clearly stated, (vs. 4-5).

a. They have forsaken the Lord, (Jeremiah 2:13-17; Jeremiah 17:13; Isaiah 65:11­-12), and desecrated His holy temple, (Ezekiel 7:22; Daniel 11:31).

b. They have burned incense to other gods, (Jeremiah 7:9-11; Jeremiah 11:13; Jeremiah 11:17).

c. They have shed innocent blood, (Jeremiah 2:34; 2 Kings 21:16; 2 Kings 24:4).

d. They have built altars to Baal and murdered their own children - forcing them into the fire as a burnt-offering to Baal! (Jeremiah 7:31; Jeremiah 32:35; 2 Kings 21:6; 2 Chronicles 28:2-3; 2 Chronicles 33:6).

e. All this is contrary to the mind, heart, purpose and word of Jehovah, their God!

3. That the valley of Topheth is to be re-named "the valley of slaughter" forebodes incomprehensible tragedy, (vs. 6-8).

a. The plans of Judah and Jerusalem will be "poured out" like water, (Jeremiah 8:8-9; Psalms 33:10-11; Isaiah 28:17-18).

b. The people will be cut down by the sword of their enemies - their bodies given to the birds and beasts for food! (Jeremiah 15:2; Jeremiah 15:9; Jeremiah 16:4; Psalms 79:1-3).

c. Jerusalem will be so desolated that by-passers will express both astonishment and derision that the once-proud and haughty people should have come to such an end, (vs. 8; Jeremiah 18:16; 1 Kings 9:8-9; 2 Chronicles 7:19-22; comp. La 2:15-16).

4. The siege that is to be laid against Jerusalem will drive its inhabitants to such desperation that they will actually become cannibalistic - EATING THEIR OWN CHILDREN! (vs. 9; comp. Deuteronomy 28:53; La 4:10).

Vs. 10-13: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BROKEN BOTTLE

1. Adding drama to the announcement, Jeremiah is to break the clay bottle before his audience - symbolizing the righteous judgment that the Divine and Sovereign Potter of Israel is to bring upon the vessel that is too marred to fullfil His original purpose for it, (vs. 10-11).

a. Having so flagrantly violated God’s high and holy purpose to make them vessels of honor, for His own glory, they are USELESS! (2 Timothy 2:20).

b. This breaking is to be done in sight of the elders who go with him to Topheth -the valley of the Son of Hinnom.

c. And Jeremiah is to declare that "Jehovah of hosts" will so break Judah and Jerusalem - shattering them beyond repair, (vs. 11; comp. Psalms 2:9; Isaiah 30:12-14).

d. Topheth will be their burying-place until it overflows, (Jeremiah 7:32­-33).

2. Jerusalem and its inhabitants will become as Topheth - unclean, so, fit only for burningl (vs. 12-13; Psalms 74:7; Psalms 79:1-3; comp. Ezekiel 7:21-22).

a. This will include the houses of kings and people, (Jeremiah 52:12­-13).

b. On their roof-tops they have burned incense to the astral deities - pouring out drink-offerings to foreign gods, (Jeremiah 32:29; Zephaniah 1:4­5; Jeremiah 8:1-2; Jeremiah 7:18; Jeremiah 44:17-19).

c. It is surely worth noting that the Lord inevitably permitted His people to be brought into bondage by those nations whose gods they chose to worship!

Vs. 14-15: PROCLAIMING JUDGMENT IN THE TEMPLE COURT

1. From Tophet the Lord sent Jeremiah to proclaim the same message within the court of the temple, in Jerusalem.

2. The Lord is bringing upon Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, all the judgments that He has pronounced against them, (Jeremiah 26:2-7).

3. If they ask "WHY,"the reason is clear:

a. In their stubbornness, they have stiffened their necks against God’s holy covenant-purpose, (Jeremiah 7:26; Jeremiah 17:23).

b. In an inexcusable violation of covenant-love, they have REFUSED TO HEED His word! (Nehemiah 9:16-17; Nehemiah 9:29; comp. Acts 7:51).