Jeremiah 22:10 says, Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him: but weep sore for him that goeth away: for he shall return no more, nor see his native country. God said to not weep for the dead, but for those who would be taken away captive. God said that they would never return to their native land. Matthew Henry says this was in reference to the king who had recently died and mourning for him, and his son who now reined who would be taken captive and never return. Verse eleven adds, For thus saith the LORD touching Shallum the son of Josiah king of Judah, which reigned instead of Josiah his father, which went forth out of this place; He shall not return thither any more: This was the two kings referred to in the statement about mourning. Vere twelve continues, But he shall die in the place whither they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more. Though the people may have believed that the king would eventually return, God said otherwise. The people still were not accepting the prophesies of Jeremiah, but they came true nonetheless. People may not want to accept God's word today, but it is always the truth. Verse thirteen declares, Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour’s service without wages, and giveth him not for his work; God began to warn the people against some of the sins that they were committing, these first to do with mistreating their neighbor. The people of Judah were already condemned for their idolatry, but their disobedience to God also affected their relationship with their neighbors. Verse fourteen adds, That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion. God also warned the people against building large houses while they had no concern for those less fortunate. When we read of multimillion dollar houses being built today while some people are homeless, I do not believe that God is pleased by this, especially if it is done by someone who professes to be a follower of Christ.. Verse fifteen states, Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him? These were questions for the king, and so was the specific warning in the last verse according to Matthew Henry, but I believe that it is a warning to all those who treat others as though they aren't worthy of basic needs being met while someone else lives in luxury. Verse sixteen declares, He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD. God said that the last king, Josiah, had acted with concern for the less fortunate and that God knew this. God knows our actions, even if we don't want Him to. Verse seventeen adds, But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it. God said that the present king, Jehoiakim, was not like his father. He was only concerned with making himself richer, even using violence and oppression to do so. Verse eighteen continues, Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah lord! or, Ah his glory! God said that the people were not to lament for Jehoiakim. Verse nineteen concludes, He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem. God said that Jehoiakim would be buried as an animal would be buried, with no mourning or the usual things that are done at a funeral. Of course, even if we have the most expansive burial possible, if we do not know Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we will still die outside of the kingdom of God and will remain there forever.
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