Jeremiah 42:12

Matthew Henry on Jeremiah 42:7–end

We have here the answer which Jeremiah was sent to deliver to those who employed him to ask counsel of God. I. It did not come immediately, not till ten days after, Jer 42:7. They were thus long held in suspense, perhaps, to punish them for their hypocrisy or to show that Jeremiah did not speak of himself, nor what he would, for he could not speak when he would, but must wait for instructions. However, it teaches us to continue waiting upon God for direction in our way. The vision is for an appointed time, and at the end it shall speak. II. When it did come he delivered it publicly, both to the captains and to all the people, from the meanest to those in the highest station; he delivered it…

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 42:12

show mercies--rather, I will excite (in him) feelings of mercy towards you [CALVIN]. cause you to return--permit you to return to the peaceable enjoyment of the possessions from which you are wishing to withdraw through fear of the Chaldeans. By departing in disobedience they should incur the very evils they wished thereby to escape; and by staying they should gain the blessings which they feared to lose by doing so.

John Gill on Jeremiah 42:12

And I will show mercies unto you,.... Bestow blessings of goodness upon them, out of pure mercy and compassion to them, and not according to their merits; or I will cause others to show mercy to them, even the king of Babylon, as follows: God shows mercy to men when he stirs up the compassion of others towards them: that he may have mercy upon you; and not avenge the death of Gedaliah, or any way cruelly oppress them, but show them all the favour they could wish for or expect under such a government, and in such circumstances; giving them vineyards and fields, and allowing them to gather the fruits of them, and enjoy them: and cause you to return to your own land: this is said, not of the…

John Calvin on Jeremiah 42:11-12