Jeremiah 17:16

“As for me, I have not hastened from [being] a pastor to follow thee, etc.] Though he had met with so much ill usage, and was hated by the people for bringing such messages to them, and was jeered and scoffed at because his prophecies were not accomplished; yet he had not been hasty, and solicitous, and importunate with the Lord to dismiss him from his service; but was willing to continue in his office as a pastor or prophet, and to follow the Lord fully, and faithfully perform the work he had called him to, whatever difficulties and discouragements attended him, or reproaches were cast upon him. Some render the words, “I hastened not”, or “I have not urged”, or “pressed to be a pastor after…”

“I have not refused Thy call of me to be a prophet (Jon 1:3), however painful to me it was to utter what would be sure to irritate the hearers (Jer 1:4, &c.).; therefore Thou shouldest not forsake me (Jer 15:15, &c.). to follow thee--literally, "after thee"; as an under-pastor following Thee, the Chief Shepherd (Ecc 12:11; Pe1 5:4). neither . . . desired--I have not wished for the day of calamity, though I foretell it as about to come on my countrymen; therefore they have no reason for persecuting me. thou knowest--I appeal to Thee for the truth of what I assert. that which came out of my lips--my words (Deu 23:23). right before thee--rather, "was before Thee"; was known to Thee-- (Pro 5:21).”

“In the rest of the prophecy Jeremiah dwells upon the moral faults which had led to Judah’s ruin. Jeremiah 17:6 Like the heath - Or, “like a destitute man” Psalms 102:17. The verbs “he shall see” (or fear) and “shall inhabit” plainly show that a man is here meant and not a plant. Jeremiah 17:8 The river - Or, “water-course” Isaiah 30:25, made for purposes of irrigation. Shall not see - Or, “shall not fear Jeremiah 17:6.” God’s people feel trouble as much as other people, but they do not fear it because they know (1) that it is for their good, and (2) that God will give them strength to bear it. Jeremiah 17:9 The train of thought is apparently this: If the man is so blessed Jeremiah 17:7-8 who…”

“I hastened not - As I did not seek the office of a prophet, so when thou wast pleased to call me to it, I did not decline. Next: Jeremiah Chapter 18”

“17:16 Because he was faithful, Jeremiah appealed to the Lord for vindication.”

“I have: Jer 1:4-10, Jer 20:9; Eze 3:14-19, Eze 33:7-9; Amo 7:14, Amo 7:15; Jam 1:19, Jam 3:1 to follow thee: Heb. after thee neither: Jer 4:19, Jer 4:20, Jer 9:1, Jer 13:17, Jer 14:17-21, Jer 18:20; Rom 9:1-3 that: Act 20:20, Act 20:27; Co2 1:12, Co2 2:17 Jeremiah 17:17”