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Commentary on Jeremiah 5 verses 25–31
Here, I. The prophet shows them what mischief their sins had done them: They have turned away these things (Jer 5:25), the former and the latter rain, which they used to have in due season (Jer 5:24), but which had of late been withheld (Jer 3:3), by reason of which the appointed weeks of harvest had sometimes disappointed them. "It is your sin that has withholden good from you, when God was ready to bestow it upon you." Note, It is sin that stops the current of God's favour to us, and deprives us of the blessings we used to receive. It is that which makes the heavens as brass and the earth as iron.
II. He shows them how great their sins were, how heinous and provoking. When they had forsaken the worship of the true God, even moral honesty was lost among them: Among my people are found wicked men (Jer 5:26), some of the worst of men, and so much the worse they were for being found among God's people. 1. They were spiteful and malicious. Such are properly wicked men, men that delight in doing mischief. They were found (that is, caught) in the very act of their wickedness. As hunters or fowlers lay snares for their game, so did they lie in wait to catch men, and made a sport of it, and took as much pleasure in it as if they had been entrapping beasts or birds. They contrives ways of doing mischief to good people (whom they hated for their goodness), especially to those that faithfully reproved them (Isa 29:21), or to those that stood in the way of their preferment or whom they supposed to have affronted them or done them a diskindness, or to those whose estates they coveted; so Jezebel ensnared Naboth for his vineyard. Nay, they did mischief for mischief's sake. 2. They were false and treacherous (Jer 5:27): "As a cage, or coop, is full of birds, and of food for them to fatten them for the table, so are their houses full of deceit, of wealth obtained by fraudulent practices or of arts and methods of defrauding. All the business of their families is done with deceit; whoever deals with them, they will cheat him if they can, which is easily done by those who make no conscience of what they say and do. Herein they overpass the deed of the wicked, Jer 5:28. Those that act by deceit, with a colour of law and justice, do more mischief perhaps than those wicked men (Jer 5:26) that carry all before them by open force and violence; or they are worse than the heathen themselves, yea, the worst of them. And (would you think it?) they prosper in these wicked courses and therefore their hearts are hardened in them. They are greedy of the world, because they find it flows in upon them, and they stick not at any wickedness in pursuit of it, because they find that it is so far from hindering their prosperity that it furthers it: They have become great in the world; they have waxen rich, and thrive upon it. They have wherewithal to make provision for the flesh to fulfill all the lusts of it, to which they are very indulgent, so that they have waxen fat with living at ease and bathing themselves in all the delights of sense. They are sleek and smooth: The shine; they look fair and gay; every body admires them. And they pass by matters of evil (so some read the following words); they escape the evils which one would expect their sins should bring upon them; they are not in trouble as other men, much less as we might expect bad men," Psa 73:5, etc. 3. When they had grown great, and had got power in their hands, they did not do that good with it which they ought to have done: They judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, and the right of the needy. The fatherless are often needy, always need assistance and advice, and advantage is taken of their helpless condition to do them an injury. Who should succour them then but the great and rich? What have men wealth for but to do good with it? But these would take no cognizance of any such distressed cases: they had not so much sense of justice, or compassion for the injured; or, if they did concern themselves in the cause, it was not to do right, but to protect those that did wrong. And yet they prosper still; God layeth not folly to them. Certainly then the things of this world are not the best things, for often-times the worst men have the most of them; yet we are not to think that, because they prosper, God allows of their practices. No; though sentence against their evil works be not executed speedily, it will be executed. 4. There was a general corruption of all orders and degrees of men among them (Jer 5:30, Jer 5:31); A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land. The degeneracy of such a people, so privileged and advanced, was a wonderful thing, and to be viewed with amazement. How could they ever break through so many obligations? It was a horrible thing, a thing to be detested and the consequences of it dreaded. To frighten ourselves from sin, let us call it a horrible thing. What was the matter? In short, this: (1.) The leaders misled the people: The prophets prophesy falsely, counterfeit a commission from heaven when they are factors for hell. Religion is never more dangerously attacked than under colour and pretence of divine revelation. But why did not the priests, who had power in their hands for that purpose, restrain these false prophets? Alas! instead of doing that they made use of them as the tools of their ambition and tyranny: The priests bear rule by their means; they supported themselves in their grandeur and wealth, their laziness and luxury, their impositions and oppressions, by the help of the false prophets and their interest in the people. Thus they were in a combination against every thing that was good, and strengthened one another's hands in evil. (2.) The people were well enough pleased to be so misled: "They are my people," says God, "and should have stood up for me, and borne their testimony against the wickedness of their priests and prophets; but they love to have it so." If the priests and prophets will let them alone in their sins, they will give them no disturbance in theirs. They love to be ridden with a loose rein, and like those rulers very well that will not restrain their lusts and those teachers that will not reprove them.
III. He shows them how fatal the consequences of this would certainly be. Let them consider,
1.What the reckoning would be for their wickedness (Jer 5:29): Shall not I visit for these things? as before, Jer 5:9. Sometimes mercy rejoices against judgment: How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? Here, judgment is reasoning against mercy: Shall I not visit? We are sure that Infinite Wisdom knows how to accommodate the matter between them. The manner of expression is very emphatic, and denotes, (1.) The certainty and necessity of God's judgments: Shall not my soul be avenged? Yes, without doubt, vengeance will come, it must come, if the sinner repent not. (2.) The justice and equity of God's judgments; he appeals to the sinner's own conscience, Do not those deserve to be punished that have been guilty of such abominations? Shall he not be avenged on such a nation, such a wicked provoking nation as this?
2.What the direct tendency of their wickedness was: What will you do in the end thereof? That is, (1.) "What a pitch of wickedness will you come to at last! What will you do? What will you not do that is base and wicked. What will this grow to? You will certainly grow worse and worse, till you have filled up the measure of your iniquity." (2.) "What a pit of destruction will you come to at last! When things are brought to such a pass as this, nothing can be expected from you but a deluge of sin, so nothing can be expected from God but a deluge of wrath; and what will you do when that shall come?" Note, Those that walk in bad ways would do well to consider the tendency of them both to greater sin and utter ruin. An end will come; the end of a wicked life will come, when it will be all called over again, and without doubt will be bitterness in the latter end.
(Verse 30, 31.) Astonishment and wonders were done on the earth. The prophets were prophesying falsehood (or wickedness) and the priests were applauding with their hands. And my people loved such things. What then will you do in the end? As it was said before: Shall I go to the nobles and speak to them? Perhaps they knew the way of the Lord, but behold, they have broken the yoke and burst the bonds. Now he describes who the nobles are, namely the prophets and priests: some of whom prophesy future events, and others decree what must be done according to the law. And behold, he said, when they, the false prophets, prophesied falsehood, the priests applauded with their hands. And in order to show that even the people are not without guilt, being led astray by such things, it is written: And my people loved such things: once mine; but after they loved such things, they ceased to be mine. So what will they do when the last time of judgment comes, or the necessity of captivity? Hence the astonishment and marvels, that neither among the rulers nor among the people was there found anyone who understood what is right.
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SUMMARY
Jeremiah 5:30 serves as a stark and chilling summary of the profound moral and spiritual decay that had permeated the land of Judah during the prophet Jeremiah's ministry. This concise declaration encapsulates a societal condition so astonishingly perverse and morally repugnant that it elicits both wonder (in the sense of shock or astonishment) and horror. It sets the stage for the subsequent revelation of the specific nature of this corruption, highlighting a widespread failure of leadership and a complicit populace, signaling the dire inevitability of divine judgment.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 5:30 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is Paradox or Oxymoron, through the juxtaposition of "wonderful" (astonishing/awe-inspiring) and "horrible" (dreadful/appalling). This creates a jarring effect, highlighting the utterly unnatural and perverse nature of the sin that has become normalized. It's "wonderful" in the sense that it's astonishingly audacious and widespread, yet "horrible" in its moral implications and consequences. This pairing amplifies the shock and disgust the prophet intends to convey. Additionally, the verse uses Hyperbole to emphasize the extreme degree of moral decay; the situation is not just bad, but so extraordinarily evil that it beggars belief. The brevity and declarative nature of the statement also lend it the force of an Aphorism or a profound, condensed truth, making it memorable and impactful.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 5:30 encapsulates a profound theological truth about the consequences of sustained apostasy and moral corruption within a covenant community. It reveals God's deep anguish over His people's betrayal and the shocking extent to which they have abandoned His ways. The "wonderful and horrible thing" points to a societal sickness where truth is perverted, justice is denied, and spiritual leadership is compromised, leading to a state that is both astonishingly audacious in its sinfulness and utterly dreadful in its implications. This verse underscores the principle that widespread moral decay, especially when embraced by the people and their leaders, inevitably invites divine judgment as a necessary act of God's justice and holiness.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 5:30 serves as a timeless and sobering mirror for any society or faith community. It compels us to examine the moral and spiritual health of our own contexts, asking whether "wonderful and horrible things" are being committed in our midst, perhaps even with our complicity or complacency. This verse challenges us to confront the uncomfortable truth that spiritual decay often begins with a subtle erosion of truth and justice, leading to a state where what is abhorrent becomes astonishingly normalized. It calls for radical self-examination, discerning leadership, and courageous adherence to biblical truth, even when it is unpopular or inconvenient. We are reminded that true faithfulness requires not just individual piety, but also a commitment to righteousness within our communities and institutions, resisting the temptation to embrace comforting lies over challenging truths.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What exactly is the "wonderful and horrible thing" mentioned in Jeremiah 5:30?
Answer: While Jeremiah 5:30 states that "A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land," the very next verse, Jeremiah 5:31, explicitly defines it. It refers to the shocking reality that "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so." This reveals a profound moral corruption where religious leaders mislead the people for personal gain, and the people willingly embrace this deception, preferring pleasant lies to the challenging truth of God's word. It's "wonderful" (astonishing) because of its audacity and widespread nature, and "horrible" because of its moral repugnance and the dire consequences it portends.
Does "wonderful" in this verse mean something good?
Answer: No, in Jeremiah 5:30, the Hebrew word translated "wonderful" (H8047, shammâh) does not carry a positive connotation of beauty or goodness. Instead, it signifies something astonishing, astounding, or extraordinary in a negative sense, often related to desolation or consternation. It implies a sense of shock or amazement at the sheer magnitude and audacity of the evil being committed. The pairing with "horrible" (H8186, shaʻărûwrâh), which means appalling or dreadful, confirms its negative, ironic usage, highlighting the perverse and unprecedented nature of the moral decay in Judah.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 5:30, with its lament over the "wonderful and horrible thing" committed in the land, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a direct prophecy but in the stark contrast between the pervasive sin of humanity and the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. The "horrible thing" of spiritual corruption, false leadership, and a people who "love to have it so" (as detailed in Jeremiah 5:31), underscores humanity's desperate need for a true prophet, a faithful priest, and a righteous King. Jesus embodies the antithesis of Judah's corruption; He is the True Prophet who speaks God's unadulterated truth (John 14:6), the Great High Priest who perfectly intercedes and offers the ultimate sacrifice for sin, unlike the self-serving priests of Jeremiah's day (Hebrews 4:14-16), and the Righteous King who establishes a kingdom of justice and truth, not deception (Isaiah 9:6-7). The "horrible thing" of human sin, which culminated in the rejection and crucifixion of the Son of God, was paradoxically transformed into the "wonderful thing" of salvation through His atoning work, demonstrating God's astonishing love and justice. His sacrifice on the cross, though a "horrible" act of human depravity, became the "wonderful" means by which sin is overcome and reconciliation with God is made possible (2 Corinthians 5:21). Thus, Christ's coming addresses the very spiritual brokenness and moral corruption that Jeremiah lamented, offering redemption and true spiritual leadership to all who believe.