v1-2: Sometimes the Lord's work demands the sacrifice of the legitimate; God's special calling demands a response of commitment. Here, Jeremiah is forbidden from marrying and having children; the mercy of God is that it will keep him from the terrible emotional pain of seeing them suffer and die in the land.

v3-4: Following the Lord's way is always best. Here obedience means that extra sorrow is avoided. Although Jeremiah had identified with the people in his sorrow, he had to remain distinct from them; and he would not share in all their suffering.

v5: Jeremiah had to remain distinct; he could nor mourn nor show sympathy when others died.

v6-7: Jeremiah's practice would later be copied by the people; the time would come when so many would die that there would be no time for mourning and sorrow and comfort. This also speaks of the people's selfishness, since they would be unconcerned for others.

v8-9: Joy and mirth also to be avoided, for this would soon end. The end of such things was near, "before your eyes and in your days."

These commands to the prophet are not necessarily for all believers in all ages; compare Hos 3.1, where the prophet had to marry an unfaithful woman. These works were signs to a disobedient people.

v10: The people would ask why Jeremiah did such things, and the Lord gave him clear reasons to speak. Their first fault was that they claimed innocence, and took the view that they did not deserve such judgment.

v11: The children of Israel had turned away from the Lord, and had worshipped other gods. Jeremiah's generation was not the first, but they had refused to repent.

v12: Jeremiah's generation was, however, more wicked than preceding generations, stubbornly refusing to repent.

v13: The punishment was to be expelled from the land, and to be forced to serve other gods. Thus they would realise what sin really was, Rom 1.22-26; God gave them up.

v14-15: Restoration for the nation, see 23.7-8. The effects of the punishments declared would later be reversed, and a remnant preserved. They will return to their land; and the return would eclipse even the deliverance from Egypt.

The returns under Zerubbabel and Ezra and Nehemiah were wonderful, but did not surpass the exodus from Egypt. We may therefore look forward to a greater and more dramatic restoration.

v16-18: The day of thorough and severe judgment, as fishermen and hunters were sent out to hunt down the guilty. See also Hab 1.14.

v19-20: Jeremiah's testimony of personal faith in God. Here too is a prophecy of the Gentiles receiving blessings from God, as they repent of their idolatry.

v21: Those who turn to the Lord will know the Lord, and be taught by Him.