Jeremiah 5:14-18 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Wherefore, thus saith the Lord God of hosts The prophet now, in the name of God, answers the blasphemous speeches of these infidels, ascribing to Jehovah that power and supremacy which were calculated to give his words the greater influence. Because you speak this word because these scoffers express themselves in this manner; I will make my words in thy mouth fire, &c. Thy words shall take effect, and thy predictions begin to be accomplished suddenly and unexpectedly, irresistibly and fiercely, (as fire is wont to kindle upon and consume dry wood,) to their utter overthrow and ruin. They shall be but fuel to my wrath, which shall be executed upon them by the Chaldean army. I will bring a nation upon you from far The prophet, in the two following verses, “marks out the Chaldeans by their distance; by their power and valour; by their antiquity; by their language, unknown to the Jews; by their arms, their might, and their cruelty.” And they shall eat up thy harvest In the field; and thy bread In the house; which thy sons and thy daughters should eat Necessary for the sustenance of thy own offspring. They shall consume all, leaving thee no supports of life, but bringing an utter famine upon thee. Here is a plain allusion to the predictions of Moses, Deuteronomy 28:49-51. They shall eat up thy flocks and thy herds Out of which thou hast taken sacrifices for thine idols. They shall eat up thy vines and thy fig-trees They shall leave thee no part of the produce of thy vineyards or fields. They shall empoverish thy fenced cities, &c. After besieging, they shall take and destroy thy cities, though defended by high and strong walls; wherein thou trustedst For the protection of the country; slaying the garrisons and inhabitants thereof with the sword, and leaving them desolate. See this also foretold, Deuteronomy 28:52.