CHAPTER XII
_This chapter is connected with the foregoing. The prophet_
_expostulates with God concerning the ways of Providence in_
_permitting the wicked to prosper_, 1-4.
_It is intimated to him that he must endure still greater_
_trials_, 5,
_from his false and deceitful brethren_, 6;
_bu... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 12:2. _THOU_ ART _NEAR IN THEIR MOUTH_] They have no
sincerity: they have something of the _form_ of religion, but nothing
of its _power_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 12:3. _BUT THOU, O LORD, KNOWEST ME_] I know that the
very secrets of my heart are known to thee; and I am glad of it, for
_thou knowest that my heart is towards thee _- is upright and sincere.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 12:4. _HOW LONG SHALL THE LAND MOURN_] These hypocrites
and open sinners are a curse to the country; _pull them out, Lord_,
that the land may be delivered of that which is the cause of its
desolation.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 12:5. _IF THOU HAST RUN WITH THE FOOTMEN_] If the
smallest evils to which thou art exposed cause thee to make so many
bitter complaints, how wilt thou feel when, in the course of thy
prophetic ministry, thou shalt be exposed to much greater, from
enemies much more powerful? _Footmen_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 12:6. _FOR EVEN THY BRETHREN, AND THE HOUSE OF THY
FATHER_] Thou hast none to depend on but God: even thy brethren will
betray thee when they have it in their power.
_BELIEVE THEM NOT_] Do not trust to them; do not commit thyself to
them; they are in heart thy enemies, and will betra... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 12:7. _I HAVE FORSAKEN MINE HOUSE_] I have abandoned my
temple.
_I HAVE GIVEN THE DEARLY BELOVED OF MY SOUL_] The people once in
covenant with me, and inexpressibly dear to me while faithful.
_INTO THE HAND OF HER ENEMIES._] This was a condition in the covenant
I made with them; If... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 12:8. _MINE HERITAGE IS UNTO ME AS A LION_] The people
are _enraged_ against me; they _roar like a furious lion_ against
their God. They have proceeded to the most open acts of the most
flagrant iniquity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 12:9. Is _UNTO ME_ AS _A SPECKLED BIRD_] A bird of
_divers_ _colours_. This is a people who have corrupted the worship of
the true God with heathenish rites and ceremonies; therefore, the
different nations, (see Jeremiah 12:10,) whose gods and forms of
worship they have adopted, shall... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 12:10. _MANY PASTORS HAVE DESTROYED MY VINEYARD_] My
people have had many kinds of enemies which have fed upon their
richest pastures; the Philistines, the Moabites, Ammonites, Assyrians,
Egyptians. and now the _Chaldeans_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 12:11. _NO MAN LAYETH_ IT _TO HEART._] Notwithstanding
all these desolations, from which the land every where mourns, and
which are so plainly the consequences of the people's crimes, no man
layeth it to heart, or considereth that these are God's judgments; and
that the only way to ha... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 12:12. _THE SWORD OF THE LORD SHALL DEVOUR_] It is the
sword of the Lord that has devoured, and will devour: this is what no
man layeth to heart. They think these things come in the course of
events.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 12:13. _THEY HAVE SOWN WHEAT, BUT SHALL REAP THORNS_]
All their projects shall fail: none of their enterprises shall
succeed. They are enemies to God, and therefore cannot have his
blessing.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 12:14. _AGAINST ALL MINE EVIL NEIGHBOURS_] All the
neighbouring nations who have united in desolating Judea shall be
desolated in their turn: they also are _wicked_, and they shall be
punished. If I make them executors of my justice, it is to them no
proof of my approbation. God often... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 12:15. _I WILL RETURN, AND HAVE COMPASSION ON THEM_]
This is a promise of restoration from the captivity, and an intimation
also that some of their enemies would turn to the true God with them;
_learn the ways of his people_; that is, would abjure idols, and take
Jehovah for their God... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Jeremiah 12:17. _I WILL - DESTROY THAT NATION_] Several of them
did not obey, and are destroyed. Of the Moabites, Ammonites, and
Chaldeans, not one vestige remains. The _sixteenth_ verse is supposed
to be a promise of the conversion of the Gentiles. See Ephesians 2:13.
From the _thirteenth_ v... [ Continue Reading ]