Jeremiah 12

1

You are righteous, LORD, when I contend with you; yet I would like to plead a case with you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are they all at ease who deal very treacherously?

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 1. Is just. Hebrew “judgment.” Septuagint “I will make my apology to thee.” Jeremias had been grievously persecuted by his countrymen: he therefore mentions a subject which has been the source of much perplexity. The success of the wicked is a temptation for weak souls. See Job 21. Psalms 72:3. Habakkuk 1:13. Calmet.—The prophets often speak in their names, not being ignorant or doubtful of the justice of divine providence. Worthington.

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2

You have planted them. Yes, they have taken root. They grow. Yes, they produce fruit. You are near in their mouth, and far from their heart.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 2. Reins. They have thy name in their mouth, but not in their heart. Isaiah 29:13. Matthew 15:8.

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3

But you, LORD, know me. You see me, and test my heart toward you. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 3. Gather. God orders his prophet to announce the misery of the wicked.

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4

How long will the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole country wither? Because of the wickedness of those who dwell therein, the animals and birds are consumed; because they said, “He won’t see our latter end.”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 4. Mourn? Is not this a proof of my providence in chastising Juda? This famine is specified Calmet. 8:13 and 14:4. Calmet.—Last end. Two letters seem to be transposed in Hebrew as the Septuagint read “ways.” Kennicott.—The impious blaspheme as if all were ruled by chance. Calmet.

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5

“If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? Though in a land of peace you are secure, yet how will you do in the pride of the Jordan?

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 5. Horses. If thou hast been terrified at the threats of thy fellow-citizens, how wilt thou withstand those of Jerusalem? ( Menochius.) or he speaks to Juda, who would not be able to resist the Chaldees, since the Philistines, and so forth had routed the Jews, though destitute of cavalry.—Jordan, or the nations of Ammon, and so forth on that side. Calmet.—Prot. “if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt,” and so forth Bible.

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6

For even your brothers, and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you! Even they have cried aloud after you! Don’t believe them, though they speak beautiful words to you.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 6. To thee. Edom, and so forth made a league with Sedecias, which they broke. They always bore a hatred to the Jews, though sprung from the same stock. Calmet. 27:1. Lamentations 4:21. Calmet.

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7

“I have forsaken my house. I have cast off my heritage. I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 7. Soul; people, ( Bible.) whose punishment was decreed. Say not, therefore, that the wicked always prosper.

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8

My heritage has become to me as a lion in the forest. She has uttered her voice against me. Therefore I have hated her.

9

Is my heritage to me as a speckled bird of prey? Are the birds of prey against her all around? Go, assemble all the animals of the field. Bring them to devour.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 9. As a. Septuagint “a den of the hyena:” Alex. “robbers.” Grabe inserts, “or a den around it?” Bible.—They have read auss, “a den,” instead of hait, “a bird.” Bochart, (iii. 11.) however, shews that the latter word denotes various wild beasts, and nearly follows the Septuagint Though the inheritance be most charming, it shall not pass unpunished. Calmet.

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10

Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard. They have trodden my portion under foot. They have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 10. Pastors; princes of my people, as well ( Bible.) as of the Chaldees. Calmet. 6:3.

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11

They have made it a desolation. It mourns to me, being desolate. The whole land is made desolate, because no one cares.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 11. Heart, to seek God and the cause of their misfortunes.

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12

Destroyers have come on all the bare heights in the wilderness; for the sword of the LORD devours from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land. No flesh has peace.

13

They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns. They have exhausted themselves, and profit nothing. You will be ashamed of your fruits, because of the LORD’s fierce anger.”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 13. Fruits. They shall not satisfy your expectations or wants.

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14

The LORD says, “Concerning all my evil neighbors, who touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit: Behold, I will pluck them up from off their land, and will pluck up the house of Judah from among them.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 14. Land. Nabuchodonosor led the Ammonites, and so forth into captivity, five years after the Jews. Jos. Ant. x. 11. Calmet.—After the children are chastised, the rod is burnt. Worthington.

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15

It will happen that after I have plucked them up, I will return and have compassion on them. I will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 15. Land; the Jews, as well as their neighbours. Calmet. 49:6. Menochius. Isaiah 23:15. Ezekiel 16:55.

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16

It will happen, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘As the LORD lives;’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they will be built up in the middle of my people.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 16. People. After the captivity, converts were more cherished. Yet the predictions concerning the call of the Gentiles were accomplished only by the preaching of the gospel. Calmet.

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17

But if they will not hear, then I will pluck up that nation, plucking up and destroying it,” says the LORD.