Crossway Classic Commentaries: Jeremiah and Lamentations
Overview
The prophet Jeremiah warned Judah for forty years of God’s impending punishment for her flagrant disobedience of his commands. The many messages of judgment, though, were mixed with promises of the mercy Judah would receive if only she would repent. The weeping prophet lamented over the people’s obstinacy and the resulting calamities, yet always reminded them of the hope they would find in God’s compassion—and the restoration that would come in their repentance.
This commentary began as 193 hour-long classroom lectures, given near the end of Calvin’s life at the rate of three per week extemporarily in Latin to a mixed bag of senior schoolboys, pastors, and ministerial students from all over Europe. Speaking as if personally acquainted with the prophet, John Calvin explains Jeremiah’s emphasis on God’s mercy and kindness toward his chosen but erring people. Just as Jeremiah looked forward to the future messianic kingdom, Calvin’s enthusiasm never wanes as he applies the prophet’s teaching to both the church and individual Christians.
Top Highlights
“Jeremiah, after the city of Jerusalem had been destroyed and the temple burned, bewailed the miserable state of his own nation, so that he might show that even in such a disastrous state some benefit might be derived from what he says. This should be carefully noted, for if we do not bear this in mind, the book will lose its special interest.” (Page 293)
“yet hope still remained, provided that the people sought God in repentance and faith” (Page 293)
“God’s servants will not lack strength as long as they derive courage from the conviction that God himself is the author of their calling. God will give them strength so that they will be formidable to the whole world.” (Page 20)
“there is no reason for you to be afraid in the midst of a thousand deaths, since I am with you to deliver you.’” (Page 20)
“Their sin was made worse because they had no reason to forsake God and to alienate themselves from him” (Page 22)
- Title: Crossway Classic Commentaries: Jeremiah and Lamentations
- Author: John Calvin
- Publisher: Crossway Books
- Publication Date: 2000
- Pages: 319
John Calvin (1509–1564), one of the most important thinkers in church history, was a prominent French theologian during the Protestant Reformation and the father of Calvinism. His theological works, biblical commentaries, tracts, treatises, sermons, and letters helped establish the Reformation throughout Europe.
Calvinism has spawned movements and sparked controversy throughout the centuries. Calvin began his work in the church at the age of 12, intending to train for the priesthood. Calvin attended the Collège de la Marche in Paris at 14, before studying law at the University of Orléans and continuing his studies at the University of Bourges.
In 1532, Calvin’s first published work appeared: a commentary on Seneca’s De Clementia. The controversy of calling for reform in the Catholic Church disciplined Calvin in his writing project, and he began working on the first edition of The Institutes of the Christian Religion, which appeared in 1536. Calvin’s Commentaries and The Letters of John Calvin are also influential; both appear in the Calvin 500 Collection.