Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 5:22

22 Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the [illegible: 1 letter]ound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it; and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail▪ though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?

Either a convincing Argument to perswade them to submit unto him; will ye not submit to me, that can rule the Sea? which as unruly a thing as it is, yet quietly yields to my will; Or rather, a very angry Challenge, and Expostulation; do you think, that I, that can tame the boisterous Sea, cannot tame you?

That stand not in need to make Rocks for Walls and Bounds unto it, but can give a check to it by so small a matter, as the Sand, that of it self is not only yielding and penetrable, but subject to be blown away with every wind.

Either looking backward, that it never could, or forward that it never shall. Whether this decree have respect to the Creation, or to the Deluge, it is not much material; the former of which times it could not have been contained within its bounds, neither in the latter could it have exceeded them, without God's special order, as no time since.

Though they swell, rage, roar, and threaten never so much, as if they would swallow up all before them; though they foam against the Rocks, that stand in their way, yet, when they come to their bounds appointed, shall tamely yield unto the Sand, and retire back.

Not get any ground upon or against Gods decree and appointment.

Either the decree or the sand, which in regard of their form, scituation, unruliness, and fluxibility would overthrow the whole earth, were it not for the limits, and restraints that are laid upon it Iob 38.11. By this instance, God may shew what he could do with reference to that enraged, and raging Army, that is about to come upon them like a torrent, if his people would repent. Or rather he hereby upbraids the Iewes with their unreasonable sottishness, that they are more mad in their Rebellions against God, then the raging waters of the Sea, that as boisterous as they are, yet obey his Will.

Marginal references: Psal. 104.9.