Jeremiah 12:1-4

C. The Prophet's Complaint Jeremiah 12:1-4

TRANSLATION

(1) Righteous are you, O LORD, when I present my case unto You; yet I will speak to You with regard to matters of judgment. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do those who practice treachery live peacefully? (2) You have planted them, yea they have taken root; they grow, yea they produce fruit. Near are You in their mouth but far from their hearts. (3) And as for You, O LORD, You know me, You see me and You have tested my heart in respect to Yourself. Drag them away as sheep to the slaughter and set them apart for the day of slaying. (4) How long shall the land mourn and the vegetation of the whole field wither? Because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it, the cattle and the birds are snatched away, because they say, He shall not see our end.

COMMENTS

Some time has elapsed since Jeremiah has committed his case confidently to God (Jeremiah 11:20). The verdict had been rendered in favor of the prophet (Jeremiah 11:22-23) but the sentence had been delayed. The enemies of the prophet continue to prosper and live a life of ease while the circumstances of the prophet become ever more difficult. Jeremiah reopens his case in the heavenly courtroom. He admits that God is just and righteous yet he is perplexed and wishes to inquire concerning His judgments, i.e., His dealings with the sons of men. Even those who have received divine revelation and who have experienced the most intimate communion with the Almighty are not immune from moments of doubt and spiritual distress. And so the prophet asks: Why do wicked men like those in Anathoth prosper? Why do men who commit treacherous deeds (lit., treacherous committees of treachery) live in peace? (Jeremiah 12:1). Jeremiah can only conclude that they prosper because God blesses them. God has planted them and they have taken root; they continue to grow (Hebrew imperfect) ever expanding into new areas of influence. They have produced fruit, i.e., their plans and schemes seem to be successful. While it is true that these men are outwardly pious, God is far distant from their hearts (Jeremiah 12:2).

Jeremiah not only disparages his foes as he stands before the bar of divine justice, he also defends himself. God knows his prophet; He observes him continuously (Hebrew imperfect). God knows that Jeremiah is not hypocritical when he speaks for and about God. How then can God allow His faithful servant to continue to be harassed by his adversaries? There is no doubt in the mind of the prophet what he would do if he were the judge: Drag them away as sheep to the slaughter! he cries (Jeremiah 12:3). Is Jeremiah here simply giving vent to the spirit of retaliation and vengeance? Is it crimes committed against Jeremiah personally that produce this imprecation? It should be noted that God has already pronounced sentence against these wicked men (Jeremiah 11:22-23). Jeremiah then is simply asking that the sentence be executed speedily. Nature itselfthe land, the vegetation, the cattle and the birdssuffer because of the wicked inhabitants of the land. The reference here is probably to some disciplinary drought which God has sent upon the land in order to cause the people to realize the folly of sin and turn from it. But if the land suffers, so do the few righteous ones who still live in it. As Jeremiah views the matter this is unjust. Furthermore the more vocal opposition had been taunting God's messenger by saying he shall not see our end (Jeremiah 12:4). They are confident that they will outlive Jeremiah. The predictions of this prophet of doom are mere delusions. Since Jeremiah was but a mouthpiece for God these ungodly men were in reality mocking the message of the Lord. Such a state of affairs calls for an immediate execution of the sentence of judgment against them. With these words Jeremiah has presented his case once again before God.