Thou didst say, Wo is me now, &c. “The sorrows which I felt for the threatenings denounced against my country and religion are increased by my own troubles, being sought after by the king's command in order to be put to death:” see Jeremiah 36:26. The Lord saith, That which I have built will I break down, &c. The land and people which have so long flourished under the peculiar care of my providence I resolve now to give up to utter destruction: see Jeremiah 31:28. And seekest thou great things for thyself? Dost thou aspire to honour, dignity, and prosperity, or expect to be exempted from adversity and trouble in a time of great and common calamity? Seek them not Never think of any thing of the kind; for, behold, I bring evil on all flesh Upon the whole country where thou livest, and upon all orders and degrees of men therein. But thy life will I give unto thee for a prey Thy life shall be preserved, but under such circumstances that thou shalt have reason to look on thyself as peculiarly indebted to the divine providence for so singular and extraordinary a favour. See note on Jeremiah 21:9, where the same proverbial expression occurs, and is further explained.
Related Commentaries of Jeremiah 45:3
Jeremiah 45:3-5
3 Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.
4 Thus shalt thou say unto him, The LORD saith thus; Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land.
5 And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.