For he has sent to us in Babylon, claiming: Since the exile will be lengthy, build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat their produce.’”
Referring to Jeremiah's first letter to Babylon (Jer 29:5).
This dreamer Shemaiah got wind of my letter and flew into a rage, not because he could answer it with truth, but because it exposed him. Rather than defend his false prophecies, he takes pen in hand and stirs up the priests to come after me, writing as though he were dictator to all mankind. That is the mark of a man who knows his ground is rotten.
AI summary
Commenting on Jeremiah 29:24-32
For therefore he sent unto us in Babylon, saying,.... That is, Jeremiah the prophet; and this was the reason, because his mouth was not stopped, and he restrained from prophesying; so that Shemaiah lays all the blame on Zephaniah, and his brethren the priests; who, had they done their duty, would have prevented Jeremiah's letter to the captives, as he suggests; the purport of which...