Here the Prophet introduces another metaphor, that God had shot him with ar-
JEREMIAH AND LAMENTATIONS
Though, then, it does not seem that it was said in due honor, that God did lie in wait as bears for travelers, or as lions in their dens; yet, if we consider how much the faithful dreaded the tokens of God's wrath, we shall not wonder at this excess. It is then certain that rite Prophet brings before us here not only evidences of the fear of God, of religion and humility, but also of the corrupt feelings of the flesh; for it cannot be, but that the infirmity of men will betray itself ill extreme evils. He adds, what is of the same import, ---
Lamentations 3:11
11. He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate.
11. Vias meas pervertit et scidit me (vel, dissipavit, vel, laceravit,) posuit me vastatam (vel, quasi vastitatem.)
In this verse also the Prophet shews how grievously the faithful are disturbed when they feel that God is adverse to them. But he uses the same figure as yesterday, though the word {,}סוררsurer, is different: what he used yesterday was {,}עוהoue, but in the same sense.
He then says that his ways had been perverted; 537 and for this reason, because he had been disappointed in his purpose; whatever he did was made void, because
God by force prevented him. When we undertake to do anything, a way is open to us; but when there is no success, our way is said to be perverted. And this is done by
God, who has all events, prosperous as well as adverse, in his own hand. As, then,
God directs our ways when he blesses our counsels and our actions; so, on the other hand, he perverts them, when all things turn out unsuccessfully, when our purpose is not done and events do not answer our expectations.
He afterwards adds, He hath torn me or broken me. The verb {,}פשחpeshech, means properly to cut, but here to tear or scatter. It follows lastly, he hath made me a waste In this expression he includes the other two things; for he who is reduced to desolation, does not hold on his way, nor find any exit; he is also drawn here and there, as though he was torn into several parts. We hence see that the Prophet here complains of extreme evils, for there was no hope of deliverance left. He adds, ---
Lamentations 3:12
12. He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
12. Extendit (vel, intendit) arcum suum, et statuit me quasi signum sagittae.
Here the Prophet introduces another metaphor, that God had shot him with arrows, as he was made a mark to them. Jeremiah has elsewhere often used the word
for a prison; but here it means a mark at which arrows are leveled, and such is its meaning in Job 16:12, where there is a similar complaint made. The meaning is, that the people, in whose name Jeremiah speaks, had been like marks, because God had directed against them all his arrows. It is, indeed, a fearful thing when God aims at us, that he may discharge his darts and arrows in order to hit and wound us. But as God had so grievously afflicted his people, that he seemed to have poured forth all his vengeance, the Prophet justly complains that the people
537The word, having the last letter doubled, means to turn aside again and again, "He has often turned aside my ways." — Ed.