Jeremiah 16
BBCJeremiah 16:1
D. Jeremiah’s Solitary Ministry (16:1-18)16:1-9 Jeremiah is commanded not to marry because of the impending destruction. He is the only man in the Bible who was forbidden to marry. Mourning and feasting are also forbidden because death is so widespread and because the calamity is the Lord’s doing. With reference to v. 7, it was the custom for relatives and friends to gather at the home of one who had died, break bread together while rehearsing the admirable qualities of the departed one, and drink a cup of wine. In this way they consoled the mourners. Kelly shows how this ancient Jewish tradition was transformed by our Lord: This practice of breaking bread in connection with death seems to be the origin of what the Lord Jesus consecrated into the grand memorial of His remembrance. “Neither shall men break bread for them in mourning, to comfort them for the dead; neither shall men give them the cup of desolation.” There you have the Supper, in both its parts. It was a familiar custom among the Jews, but the Lord gave a unique significance to it, and stamped new truth upon it. It was connected with the passover, for, as we know, that was the time of its institution. There was a particular reason for its establishment at that and at no other time, because it was to mark the impressive change from the great central and fundamental feast of Israel. A new and different feast was begun for the Christians. 16:10-18 If asked the reason for all the great disaster God had predicted, Jeremiah should remind them of the disobedience and idolatry of their fathers and themselves. God will bring the people back from captivity some day, but first fishermen and hunters (the Babylonians) will search them out and carry them into captivity where God will punish them for their iniquity and their sin.
Jeremiah 16:19
E. Jeremiah’s Steadfast Heart (16:1917:18)16:19-21 The prophet foresees the day when the Gentiles will turn from idols to God. In verse 21, the Lord expresses His steadfast determination to make Judah know His might through His chastening.