Once before, and we shall find once after this, Jeremiah 14:11, God forbiddeth the prophet to pray for this people; hence ariseth a question how the prophet is excused from sin, in praying for them after this prohibition, especially when God had assured him that he would not hear. Solut.
1. God (say some) sometimes forbiddeth prayers for persons and people to stir them up to more fervent prayer.
2. We find the like done by Moses, Exodus 32:10, and 1 Samuel 15:35, 1 Samuel 16:1. Others say,
3. That we must not understand these words as an absolute prohibition to Jeremiah, but for the terrifying of the people.
4. God speaks only of a temporal evil, and willeth Jeremiah not to be too positive in his prayers for them, that they might be delivered from that; but he might pray for the pardon of their sins, and their deliverance from the eternal vengeance of God.
5. He might not pray for the obstinate part of this people, but for the elect of God amongst them.