Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 1:10

10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations, and over the kingdoms , to root out, and to pull down , and to destroy, and to throw down, to build and to plant .

Having now received his Commission he is directed to whom he is to go, viz. to the greatest, not only single persons, but whole nations, as the Babylonians, Persians, and Egyptians, and exhorted to greatness of mind, as being sent as an Ambassador from God to deliver his messages without flattery, or cowardize; and that he might make that proud people sensible of their folly, that looked upon themselves above reproof, he gives unto his Prophet this large authority.

i. e. To Prophesie, that I will pull down, which I will as certainly effect, as if thou hadst done it thy self, for according to Scripture usage, the Prophets are said to do that, which they foretell to come to pass, Gen. 4.7. Ezek. 43.3. [illegible: 1 letter] i. e. to pronounce destruction, hence God is said to slay them by the words of his mouth, Hos. 6.5. and so are all the following expressions to be understood.

Metaphors taken from Architects, and Gardiners, either the former words relate to the Enemies of God, and the latter to his Friends. Or, rather to both conditionally if they repent, he will build them up, i. e. he will encrease their Families, and plant them, viz. settle them in the Land, chap. 24.6. If they do not he will root them up, and pull them down, &c. he will do the contrary: compare this with chap. 42.10. and 45.4. The reason why God useth so many words to the same purpose seems to be, partly to shew how deeply all kind of wickedness and contempt of God had taken root, which possibly may be one reason why he placeth pulling down, and rooting up before building and planting, to shew what a deal of rubbish there was to be removed, before he could reform, and repair his Church and State. Or, rather because the Prophet was to begin with these in his Prophesie, as appears by his second Visions ver. 11, 13. and partly to quicken the Prophets zeal against them.

Marginal references: chap. 18.7. 2 Cor. 10.4, 5.