et." If the book of God's revelation could not have
been complete without the ecstatic visions of Isaiah, so neither could
it have spared Jeremiah's vivid delineation of a profligate nation
plunging itself into remediless ruin by its iniquities. At times,
however, we find in Jeremiah also joyous anticipations of the good
reserved for God's people in the latter days. He predicted not only the
Babylonish captivity, but its termination at the end of seventy years,
and the perpetual overthrow of Babylon and the Chaldean power (25:12-14;
29:10-14). See also chapters 30-33, where he describes, after the manner
of Isaiah, the glory of the latter days.

In Jeremiah we have an illustrious example of one whose
reputation after death became as high and lasting, as the
reproach which he endured before death was deep and protracted.
The men of his generation could not appreciate his worth. His
messages they treated with scorn, and him with contumely.
Through a long life of faithful labor it was his lot to endure
reproach and calumny. But neither their unbelief, nor the
burning of the roll of his prophecies by Jehoiakim could hinder
the fulfilment of his words. When the captivity had come, as he
had predicted, and especially when God's promise through him
that it should end after seventy years had been fulfilled, he
was honored as among the greatest of the prophets, and from that
day onward his name became as ointment poured forth. The history
of Jeremiah is also peculiarly encouraging to God's faithful
servants who labor on for years amid difficulties and
discouragements, and see no fruits of their toils. When he died
it seemed as if all his solemn messages had been wasted upon
that ungodly generation. But they were not lost to the Jews who
lived to witness the fulfilment of his predictions in their
captivity. In connection with the labors of Ezekiel and Daniel
they contributed greatly to bring about that change for the
better which took place during the exile. Through them,
moreover, God provided a treasury of instruction and comfort for
his people in all coming ages. How forcible a comment are his
life and labors upon the apostolic declaration made many
centuries afterwards: "Let us not be weary in well-doing: for in
due season we shall reap if we faint not."

12. Of the prophecies of Jeremiah some are without date, and wh