Jeremiah 45:5 And seek you great things for yourself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil on all flesh, said the LORD… I. SEEK NOT GREAT THINGS FOR YOURSELVES, FOR SELF OUGHT NEVER TO BE AN ULTIMATE OBJECT. The glory of God is the only legitimate aim. The glorification of God is not to be sought as a mean to the good of the creature, but the reverse — man would be exalted above God. Even great spiritual things arc not to be sought for our own purposes and exaltation — "name's sake." There is no hardship in this, for if we seek the glory of God, our own enjoyment will follow. II. SEEK NOT GREAT THINGS FOR YOURSELVES, FOR YOU THEREBY RENDER THEM THE OBJECTS OF IDOLATROUS WORSHIP. III. SEEK NOT GREAT THINGS FOR YOURSELVES, FOR TO DO SO IS TO SUBORDINATE THE DISCHARGE OF DUTY TO THEIR ACQUISITION AND ENJOYMENT. IV. SEEK NOT GREAT THINGS FOR YOURSELVES, FOR BY DOING SO YOU WILL INVOLVE YOURSELVES AND OTHERS IN MUCH POSITIVE SUFFERING. V. SEEK NOT GREAT THINGS FOR YOURSELVES, WHEN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST REQUIRES YOUR SYMPATHY AND YOUR EFFORTS. — BARUCH. (Jas. Stewart.) Parallel Verses KJV: And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest. |
    |