1 The word of the LORD came also unto me, saying,
2 Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters in this place.
3 For thus saith the LORD concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this place, and concerning their mothers that bare them, and concerning their fathers that begat them in this land;
4 They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; [but] they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.
5 For thus saith the LORD, Enter not into the house of mourning, neither go to lament nor bemoan them: for I have taken away my peace from this people, saith the LORD, [even] lovingkindness and mercies.
6 Both the great and the small shall die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall [men] lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them:
7 Neither shall [men] tear [themselves] for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall [men] give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or for their mother.
8 Thou shalt not also go into the house of feasting, to sit with them to eat and to drink.
9 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.
10 And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what [is] our iniquity? or what [is] our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?
11 Then shalt thou say unto them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, saith the LORD, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshipped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law;
12 And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me:
13 Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, [neither] ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour.
14 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
15 But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.
16 Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.
17 For mine eyes [are] upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.
18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.
19 O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and [things] wherein [there is] no profit.
20 Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they [are] no gods?
21 Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name [is] The LORD.
Overview of Jeremiah Chapter 16
Jeremiah Chapter 16 is a poignant and significant chapter in the Book of Jeremiah, where the prophet conveys God’s messages about impending judgment and the consequences of disobedience. This chapter emphasizes themes of mourning, exile, and the hope of future restoration.
Key Themes
- Prohibition of Mourning: God instructs Jeremiah not to participate in mourning rituals, symbolizing the severity of the judgment to come.
- Judgment and Exile: The chapter outlines the consequences of Israel’s disobedience, including exile and destruction.
- Hope for Restoration: Despite the grim predictions, there is an underlying promise of future restoration and return to the land.
Detailed Analysis
1. Prohibition of Personal Mourning (Verses 1-7)
In the opening verses, God commands Jeremiah not to marry or have children. This directive serves as a metaphor for the desolation that will come upon the land. The absence of family life symbolizes the impending calamity that will affect the entire nation.
- Symbolism of Loneliness: The prohibition reflects the isolation and despair that will envelop the people of Judah.
- Impending Death: The mention of death and mourning signifies the loss that will be experienced due to the coming judgment.
- Divine Judgment: God explains that the people will die from various calamities, emphasizing the severity of their sins.
2. The Reasons for Judgment (Verses 8-13)
God articulates the reasons for the impending judgment against Judah, highlighting their idolatry and disobedience to His commandments.
- Idolatry: The people have turned to other gods, abandoning their covenant with Yahweh.
- Rejection of God’s Ways: They have not listened to God’s prophets and have followed their own paths.
- Consequences of Sin: The chapter outlines that their actions will lead to their downfall and exile from the Promised Land.
3. The Promise of Restoration (Verses 14-21)
Despite the dire warnings, the chapter concludes with a promise of future restoration. God reassures Jeremiah that a time will come when He will gather His people back from the nations where they have been scattered.
- Return from Exile: God promises to bring the Israelites back to their homeland, indicating hope and renewal.
- Recognition of God’s Sovereignty: The nations will recognize the power of God, as He demonstrates His might in restoring His people.
- Transformation of Hearts: The restoration will involve a change in the hearts of the people, leading them to truly seek and worship God.
Conclusion
Jeremiah Chapter 16 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the profound mercy of God. While it details the judgment that will befall Judah, it also offers a glimmer of hope for future restoration, highlighting God’s unwavering commitment to His covenant people.
