Sermons by a London Minister Jeremiah 1:11-16 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Jeremiah, what see you? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.… This vision was parabolic, and contains one thought in different stages of development. In looking at any object through a telescope the first look may give a correct impression of the object, but an adjustment of the lens may reveal details not seen before. So in the case of the double vision here. The almond is the first tree to awake from the sleep of winter, and to put forth blossoms. God, in the vision of the almond branch, indicated that the judgments pronounced upon the Hebrew nation were nearing their fulfilment. "I will hasten My Word to perform it." The second vision gives more information than the first upon the same subject. In the first only the fact of the speedy retribution is made known, the second reveals whence it is to come. "Out of the north." The seething pot also shows the terror and confusion that would fill the city of Jerusalem when surrounded by her enemies. I. THOSE WHO HAVE TO UTTER THE TRUTH OF GOD TO OTHERS MUST FIRST SEE IT CLEARLY THEMSELVES. II. THOSE WHO CAN SEE THE MIND OF GOD MUST BE PREPARED TO UTTER THE TRUTHS THEY SEE. Men of genius who see things in secret, and think they see what is worth giving to the world, gird up their loins to put forth what they have seen in word, or on canvas, or in the sculptured marble. Christ instructed His first scholars to do this (Matthew 10:27). So Jeremiah must give out that which he has seen. III. GOD OFTEN MAKES USE OF THINGS FAR BENEATH US, TO MAKE KNOWN TO US IMPORTANT TRUTHS. The boiling pot and the almond branch were common everyday objects, yet God uses them as vehicles to convey to Jeremiah solemn truths respecting His people. So in Christ's parables. IV. THE TIMES AND INSTRUMENTS OF NATIONAL JUDGMENT ARE IN THE HANDS OF GOD. V. GOD'S CHASTISEMENTS INCREASE IN SEVERITY WITH THE INCREASE OF NATIONAL SIN. God had again and again sent less severe chastisement upon the Jewish nation, but all had failed to stop their moral decay; hence the necessity, if the nation were to continue in existence, of the execution of the judgments foretold in the prophetic vision. VI. THE MOST CHILDLIKE AND HUMBLE IN SPIRIT SEE BEST INTO DIVINE MYSTERIES. Just before receiving this revelation Jeremiah had confessed his ignorance and inability (ver. 6). (Matthew 18:3-6; Isaiah 57:15; 1 Corinthians 2:1.) (Sermons by a London Minister.) Parallel Verses KJV: Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. |
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