| Barnes' Notes on the Bible The lamentation of the daughter of Zion, the Jewish Church, at the devastation of the land, and her humble prayer to God for mercy. Jeremiah 10:19 Grievous - Rather, "mortal," i. e., fatal, incurable. A grief - Or, "my grief." Clarke's Commentary on the BibleThis is a grief, and I must bear it - Oppressive as it is, I have deserved it, and worse; but even in this judgment God remembers mercy. Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWoe is me for my hurt!.... Or "breach" (a); which was made upon the people of the Jews, when besieged, taken, and carried captive; with whom the prophet heartily sympathized, and considered their calamities and distresses as his own; for these are the words of the prophet, lamenting the sad estate of his people. My wound is grievous; causes grief, is very painful, and hard to be endured: but I said; within himself, after he had thoroughly considered the matter: this is a grief; an affliction, a trial, and exercise: and I must bear it; patiently and quietly, since it is of God, and is justly brought upon the people for their sins. (a) "propter confractionem meam", Cocceius Schmidt, Geneva Study BibleWoe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this {l} is a grief, and I must bear it. (l) It is my just plague, and therefore I will take it patiently: by which he teaches the people how to behave themselves toward God. Wesley's Notes 10:19 Woe is me - Here the prophet personates the complaint of the people of the land. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary19. Judea bewails its calamity. wound-the stroke I suffer under. I must bear-not humble submission to God's will (Mic 7:9), but sullen impenitence. Or, rather, it is prophetical of their ultimate acknowledgment of their guilt as the cause of their calamity (La 3:39). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary10:17-25 The Jews who continued in their own land, felt secure. But, sooner or later, sinners will find all things as the word of God has declared, and that its threatenings are not empty terrors. Submission will support the believer under every grief allotted to him; but what can render the load of Divine vengeance easy to be borne by those who fall under it in sullen despair? Those cannot expect to prosper, who do not, by faith and prayer, take God with them in all their ways. The report of the enemy's approach was very dreadful. Yet the designs which men lay deep, and think well formed, are dashed to pieces in a moment. Events are often overruled, so as to be quite contrary to what we intended and expected. If the Lord has directed our steps into the ways of peace and righteousness, let us entreat him to enable us to walk therein. Say not, Lord, do not correct me; but, Lord, do not correct me in anger. We may bear the smart of God's rod, but we cannot bear the weight of his wrath. Those who restrain prayer, prove that they know not God; for those who know him will seek him, and seek his favour. If even severe corrections lead sinners to be convinced of wholesome truths, they will have abundant cause for gratitude. And they will then humble themselves before the Lord. |