11 The word of the Lord came to me saying , "What do you see , Jeremiah ?" And I said , "I see a rod of an [1]almond tree ." 12 Then the Lord said to me, "You have seen well , for I am [2]watching over My word to perform it." 13 The word of the Lord came to me a second time saying , " What do you see ?" And I said , "I see a boiling pot , facing away from the north ." 14 Then the Lord said to me, " Out of the north the evil [3]will break forth on all the inhabitants of the land . 15 "For, behold , I am calling all the families of the kingdoms of the north ," declares the Lord ; "and they will come and they will set each one his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem , and against all its walls round about and against all the cities of Judah . 16 "I will [4]pronounce My judgments on them concerning all their wickedness , whereby they have forsaken Me and have [5] offered sacrifices to other gods , and worshiped the works of their own hands . 17 "Now, gird up your loins and arise , and speak to them all which I command you. Do not be dismayed before e them, or I will dismay you before them. 18 "Now behold , I have made you today as a fortified city and as a pillar of iron and as walls of bronze against the whole land , to the kings of Judah , to its princes , to its priests and to the people of the land . 19 "They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you," declares the Lord .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 1:11-19
Commentary on Jeremiah 1:11-19
(Read Jeremiah 1:11-19)
God gave Jeremiah a view of the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem by the Chaldeans. The almond-tree, which is more forward in the spring than any other, represented the speedy approach of judgments. God also showed whence the intended ruin should arise. Jeremiah saw a seething-pot boiling, representing Jerusalem and Judah in great commotion. The mouth or face of the furnace or hearth, was toward the north; from whence the fire and fuel were to come. The northern powers shall unite. The cause of these judgments was the sin of Judah. The whole counsel of God must be declared. The fear of God is the best remedy against the fear of man. Better to have all men our enemies than God our enemy; those who are sure they have God with them, need not, ought not to fear, whoever is against them. Let us pray that we may be willing to give up personal interests, and that nothing may move us from our duty.