In the original words there is something singular: �ak yrbd hk awlh halo coh debari kaesh, "Is not thus my word like fire?" I suspect, with Dr. Blayney, that hk coh, thus, was formerly written jk coach, strength or power; and so it was understood by the Targumist: "Are not all my words strong, like fire?" and probably the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews read it thus, and had it in view when he wrote: "For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword," Heb. iv. 12. This admitted, the text would read, "Is not my word powerful, like fire?" or, "Is not the power of my word like fire?" But however we understand the words, let us take heed lest we think, as some have thought and affirmed, that the sacred writings are quite sufficient of themselves to enlighten, convince, and convert the soul, and that there is no need of the Holy Spirit. Fire itself must be applied by an agent in order to produce its effects; and surely the hammer cannot break the rock in pieces, unless wielded by an able workman. And it is God's Spirit alone that can thus apply it; for we find it frequently read and frequently spoken, without producing any salutary effects. And by this very thing the true preachers of the word of God may be distinguished from the false, non-commissioned ones; those who run, though they are not sent, ver. 21.

The word of him who has his commission from heaven shall be as a fire and as a hammer; sinners shall be convinced and converted to God by it.

But the others, though they steal the word from their neighbour-borrow or pilfer a good sermon, yet they do not profit the people at all, because God did not send them, ver. 32; for the power of God does not in their ministry accompany the word.

There may be an allusion to the practice in some mining countries, of roasting stones containing ore, before they are subjected to the hammer, in order to pulverize them. In Cornwall I have seen them roast the tin stones in the fire, before they placed them under the action of the hammers in the stamp mill. The fire separated the arsenic from the ore, and then they were easily reduced to powder by the hammers of the mill; afterwards, washing the mass with water, the grains of tin sank to the bottom, while the lighter parts went off with the water, and thus the metal was procured clean and pure. If this be the allusion, it is very appropriate.

Jer. 23:1-8 Woe be to those who are set to feed God's people, but tak no concern to do them good! Here is a word of comfort to the neglecte sheep. Though only a remnant of God's flock is left, he will find the out, and they shall be brought to their former habitations. Christ i spoken of as a branch from David's family. He is righteous himself, an through him all his people are made righteous. Christ shall break the usurped power of Satan. All the spiritual seed of believing Abraham an praying Jacob shall be protected, and shall be saved from the guilt an dominion of sin. In the days of Christ's government in the soul, the soul dwells at ease. He is here spoken of as "the Lord ou Righteousness." He is so our Righteousness as no creature could be. Hi obedience unto death is the justifying righteousness of believers, an their title to heavenly happiness. And their sanctification, as the source of all their personal obedience is the effect of their unio with him, and of the supply of this Spirit. By this name every tru believer shall call him, and call upon him. We have nothing to plea but this, Christ has died, yea, rather is risen again; and we have taken him for our Lord. This righteousness which he has wrought out to the satisfaction of law and justice, becomes ours; being a free gif given to us, through the Spirit of God, who puts it upon us, clothes u with it, enables us to lay hold upon it, and claim an interest in it "The Lord our Righteousness" is a sweet name to a convinced sinner; to one that has felt the guilt of sin in his conscience; seen his need of that righteousness, and the worth of it. This great salvation is fa more glorious than all former deliverances of his church. May our soul be gathered to Him, and be found in him.

Jer. 23:9-22 The false prophets of Samaria had deluded the Israelite into idolatries; yet the Lord considered the false prophets of Jerusalem as guilty of more horrible wickedness, by which the people were made bold in sin. These false teachers would be compelled to suffer the most bitter part of the Lord's indignation. They mad themselves believe that there was no harm in sin, and practise accordingly; then they made others believe so. Those who are resolve to go on in evil ways, will justly be given up to believe stron delusions. But which of them had received any revelation of God, or understood any thing of his word? There was a time coming when the would reflect on their folly and unbelief with remorse. The teachin and example of the true prophets led men to repentance, faith, an righteousness. The false prophets led men to rest in forms and notions and to be quiet in their sins. Let us take heed that we do not follo unrighteousness.

Jer. 23:23-32 Men cannot be hidden from God's all-seeing eye. Will the never see what judgments they prepare for themselves? Let them conside what a vast difference there is between these prophecies and thos delivered by the true prophets of the Lord. Let them not call their foolish dreams Divine oracles. The promises of peace these prophet make are no more to be compared to God's promises than chaff to wheat The unhumbled heart of man is like a rock; if not melted by the word of God as a fire, it will be broken to pieces by it as a hammer. How can they be long safe, or at all easy, who have a God of almighty powe against them? The word of God is no smooth, lulling, deceitful message And by its faithfulness it may certainly be distinguished from fals doctrines.

Jer. 23:33-40 Those are miserable indeed who are forsaken and forgotte of God; and men's jesting at God's judgments will not baffle them. God had taken Israel to be a people near to him, but they shall now be cas out of his presence. It is a mark of great and daring impiety for me to jest with the words of God. Every idle and profane word will add to the sinner's burden in the day of judgment, when everlasting shame wil be his portion __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew