Jeremiah 5:1

“Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, etc.] These are the words of the Lord, not to the prophet only, but to any other, who thought fit to look into the reasons of the Lord’s dealing in a way of judgment with the people of the Jews; these he would have go through the whole city of Jerusalem, every street of it, and that backwards and forwards, not once only, but over and over again: and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof; where there is commonly the greatest concourse of people; here he would have them look out diligently, observe and take cognizance of the persons they should meet with in such places: if ye can find a man; that is, as the Targum adds,…”

“THE CAUSE OF THE JUDGMENTS TO BE INFLICTED IS THE UNIVERSAL CORRUPTION OF THE PEOPLE. (Jer. 5:1-31) a man--As the pious Josiah, Baruch, and Zephaniah lived in Jerusalem at that time, Jeremiah must here mean the mass of the people, the king, his counsellors, the false prophets, and the priests, as distinguished from the faithful few, whom God had openly separated from the reprobate people; among the latter not even one just person was to be found (Isa 9:16) [CALVIN]; the godly, moreover, were forbidden to intercede for them (Jer 7:16; compare Gen 18:23, &c.; Psa 12:1; Eze 22:30). see . . . know--look . . . ascertain. judgment--justice, righteousness. pardon it--rather, her.”

“The broad places - The open spaces next the gates, and other places of concourse. A man - Or, anyone. That executeth - “That” practiceth. Truth - uprightness, probity (so in Jeremiah 5:3). return to 'Top of Page'”

“Run - God gives leave to all the earth to look into the state of Jerusalem, by which he vindicates himself in the face of the whole world from all severity towards his people, whatever he brings upon them. In the broad places - Even there, where men meet from all quarters. A man - It seems worse than Sodom and Gomorrah, for God condescends to pardon Jerusalem, if there be but one righteous man found in it; there he came no lower than ten. A man might walk the streets of Jerusalem long enough before he could meet with any one truly religious. Executeth - Among the magistracy. Seeketh - Among the commonalty, that deal faithfully and uprightly. Jeremiah 5:2”

“5:1-2 A just person lives according to God’s laws and deals with other people accordingly. An honest person is dependable, truthful, and faithful to God. Jeremiah did not find either justice or honesty. Although some people were under oath, their claims of innocence were false. Their behavior showed that they had perjured themselves (4:2; 7:9; Gen 18:23-32; Isa 48:1; Ezek 22:30; Titus 1:15-16).”

“Run ye: Ch2 16:9; Dan 12:4; Joe 2:9; Amo 8:12; Zac 2:4 seek: Pro 8:3; Sol 3:2; Luk 14:21 if ye can: Kg1 19:10; Pro 20:6; Eze 22:30 if there: Gen 18:23-32; Psa 12:1, Psa 14:3, Psa 53:2-4; Mic 7:1, Mic 7:2 that seeketh: Pro 2:4-6, Pro 23:23; Isa 59:4, Isa 59:14, Isa 59:15; Th2 2:10 Jeremiah 5:2”

“The Causes which Called Down the Judgment Pronounced: The Total Corruption of the People. - Chr. B. Mich. has excellently summed up thus the contents of this chapter: Deus judicia sua, quae cap. IV praedixerat, justificat ostendens, se quamvis invitum, tamen non aliter posse quam punire Judaeos propter praefractam ipsorum malitiam. The train of thought in this chapter is the following: God would pardon if there were to be found in Jerusalem but one who practised righteousness and strove to keep good faith; but high and low have forsaken God and His law, and serve the false gods. This the Lord must punish ( Jer 5:1-9). Judah, like Israel, disowns the Lord, and despises the words of His…”