J E R E M I A H.
CHAP. XIX.
The same melancholy theme is the subject of this chapter that was of those foregoing--the approaching ruin of Judah and Jerusalem for their sins. This Jeremiah had often foretold; here he has particularly full orders to foretel it again. I. He must set their sins in order before them, as he had often done, especially their idolatry, Jeremiah 19:4; Jeremiah 19:5. II. He must describe the particular judgments which were now coming apace upon them for these sins, Jeremiah 19:6-9. III. He must do this in the valley of Tophet, with great solemnity, and for some particular reasons, Jeremiah 19:2; Jeremiah 19:3. IV. He must summon a company of the elders together to be witnesses of this, Jeremiah 19:1. V. He must confirm this, and endeavour to affect his hearers with it, by a sign, which was the breaking of an earthen bottle, signifying that they should be dashed to pieces like a potter's vessel, Jeremiah 19:10-13. VI. When he had done this in the valley of Tophet he ratified it in the court of the temple, Jeremiah 19:14; Jeremiah 19:15. Thus were all likely means tried to awaken this stupid senseless people to repentance, that their ruin might be prevented; but all in vain.