Jeremiah 12
PATtriest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them; for unto thee have I revealed my cause. I have laid my cause before thee, and recommended myself to thy protection, who knowest the sincerity and intentions of my thoughts. (See xii. 2, 3.) When men continue implacable in their malice, we may lawfully expect and desire that God will plead our cause, and judge us according to our righteousness. For the bringing wicked men to condign punishment, tends both to the manifestation of God’s glory, and the good government of the world. To pray against our enemies in this sense, viz. not for the satisfying our private resentments, but the setting forth of God’s justice, is not disagreeable to the spirit of Christianity. So St. Paul prays against Alexander, The Lord reward him according to his works, (2 Tim. iv. 14.) The six first verses relate to the subject spoken of in the latter part of the eleventh chapter, and should not have been divided from it. In the remaining part of this chapter God declares, TJiat although he had forsaken his people * for a season, and given them up into the hands of their enemies, yet he would in due time remember them, and execute vengeance upon their oppressors. tempt. They have blasphemed me and my laws, just like a wild beast, that opens his mouth against every one that withstands it. These are just causes of my hatred to them.
Jeremiah 12:1
RlGHTEOUS art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee; yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments. Though I doubt not of thy justice and holiness, yet suffer me to argue with thee concerning the prosperity of the wicked, and the afflictions of the righteous: a dispensation which hath in all ages been made an objection against Providence, and upon that account been a stumbling-block even to good men. (See Job xii. 6. xxi. 7, &c. Psal. xxxvii. lxxiii.) •
Jeremiah 12:2
Thou art near to their mouth, and far from their reins. The true character of hypocrites, who, according to the prophet Isaiah’s description of them, Honour God with their mouth, but their heart is far from him, (Isa. xxix. 13. •Mark vii. G.) The reins in Scripture signify the thoughts and inward dispositions. (See Prov. xxiii. 1G. Psal. xvi. 7. lxxiii. 21.) In which sense God is said to try the reins and the heart, xi. 20. of this prophecy.
Jeremiah 12:3
Pull them out as sheep for the slaughter. As sheep are taken out of (he flock, in order to be slain. (See the note on xi. 20.) The Vulgar Latin reads, Gather them as sheep; it is probable that the verb natak might be used in this sense, though the lexicons take no notice of it; for attik, a noun derived from thence, signifies a chamber, (Ezek. xii. 15.) and netek a spot of leprosy, (Lev. xiii. 30.) from the gathering of the humours. Prepare them for the day of slaughter.]] The Hebrew reads, Sanctify them; i. e. set them apart for destruction. (See xxii. 7.)
Jeremiah 12:4
How long shall the land mourn, arid the herbs of every field wither? &c. The famine hath already consumed the fruits of the earth, together with the birds and beasts of the field, for the infidelity and atheism of these wretches, who thus prosper in their wickedness. (Compare xiv. 2. xxiii. 10. ix. 10.) Because they said, lie shall not see our last end.] The words of those who made a mock of Jeremiah and his prophecies, as if he should never see those evils come to pass which he had threatened against them, (xi.23.) Some understand the words to this sense, God will never bring that destruction upon us, with which Jeremiah threatens us.
Jeremiah 12:5
If thou hast rim with footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses?. Here God answers the complaints of the prophet, and applies a proverbial expression to his case; the import of which is, that if men find themselves unable to contend with a less power, it is in vain for them to strive with a greater. This sentence being applied to tho prophet’s case, implies, that if he could not bear with the ill usage of his acquaintance and neighbours at Anathoth, how would he be able to undergo the hardships he must expect to meet with from the great men at Jerusalem, who would unanimously set themselves against him? (See xxvi. 8, &c. xxx vi. 26. xxxviii. 4. G.) And if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?] The same sense differently expressed; q. d. If thou endnredst such hardships in thy own country, and among thy own kindred and acquaintance, what must thou expect when those in power shall combine against thee? whose rage shall be like that of the lions who are driven out of their coverts, when Jordan overflows the neighbouring fields, and set upon every one that travels the public road. (See the note on xlix. 19.) Ver. G. They have called a multitude after thee.] Or, against thee, as Noldius observes the particle aharee sometimes signifies. (See xlix. 37. Isa. xxxvii. 22.) They have not been content to vent their own malice against thee, but have also raised the multitude upon thee, and endeavoured to bring thee under a popular odium: the words may perhaps be more properly translated, They pursue thee with a great [cry], as a common malefactor.
Jeremiah 12:7
I have forsaken my house. The place of my especial residence, where I have placed my name. (See 2 Kings xxiii. 27.) The words are spoken of the desolation of tho temple by the Chaldeans, as if it were already brought to pass; a way of speaking usual in the prophets. (See tho note upon Isa. xxi. 9.) I have given the dearhj-beloved of my soul into the hands of her enemies.] Sec xi. 15.
Jeremiah 12:8
Mine heritage is to me as a Hon in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore I have hated it. My people have used me and my prophets with despite and con-.
Jeremiah 12:9
Mine heritage is to me as a speckled bird; all the birds round about her are against her, &c. My people are become wild and savage, (see ver. 8.) and not to be taught better manners, and, like a speckled or taloned bird, are only fit for prey and deeds of violence. And as all the rest of the birds flock about such a one, and are ready to pull it to pieces; so I have stirred up all the enemies of my people, to anuoy them on every side; compared here to so many beasts of prey. (Sec ii. 15. Isa.lvi.9. Habak. ii. 17.) The word tsab&ang, rendered here speckled, is of an uncertain signification, being found but in this one place of the Bible, unless perhaps 1 Sam.- xiii. 18. where some look upon it as a proper name. The Septuagint understand it of the hyena, which sense is followed by Bochart. But if wc take it in either signification, the sense is much the same..
Jeremiah 12:10
Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard. By many pastors are meant the generals of the Chaldean army, so the Chaldean paraphrase rightly explains it. (See ver. 12. and compare vi. 3.) God calls Judea his vineyard and pleasant portion, because of the care he took to cultivate and improve it, and the fruit he might justly have expected from it. (See the note on xi. 1G.)
Jeremiah 12:11
Being desolate it mourneth unto me. It lies in a neglected and doleful condition; (see ver. 4. and xxiii. 10.) and makes a sort of a silent complaint, and begs to be restored to its former prosperity. The whole land is desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.] No man acknowledged God’s hand in the calamities he feels, or humbles himself under it. (See viii. 6. Isa. xlii. 25.)
Jeremiah 12:12
The spoilers are come upon all high places through [or in. the wilderness.] The Chaldean army, described by the metaphor of a full wind of the high places in the wilderness, \v. 11. (See the note there,), For the sword of the Lord shall devour from one end of the land to the other end of the land.] When God delivers up a people to be slain by their enemies, he is said to give commission to a sword to pass through a land. (See xlvii. 6, 7. Ezek. xiv. 17.)
Jeremiah 12:13
Tliey have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns. A proverbial expression, signifying men’s loss of time and labour. It is here applied to the Jews’ fruitless endeavours to save themselves from the evils that threatened them, by courting the assistance and alliance of idolaters. A nd they shall be ashamed of your revenues, because of the fierce anger of the Lord.] Or, Be ye ashamed of your increase, &c. God’s displeasure shall make all your designs abortive; they shall not bring forth their expected fruit, and you shall be seized with shame and confusion to see yourselves disappointed. (Compare ii. 3G, 37.) The word revenues, or increase, alludes to the reaping of thorns, mentioned in the foregoing part of the verse.
Jeremiah 12:14
TIius saith the Lord against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land. This prophecy threatens chiefly the Idumeans, Moabites, Ammonites, and Philistines, against whom Jeremiah prophesies, chap, xlvii. — xlix. and Ezekiel, chap. xxv« These the text calls evil neighbours, because of the spite and ill-will which they shewed towards the Jews upon all occasions, at this time especially, when most of them joined with the Chaldeans and Syrians, in oppressing them. (S<?e 2 Kings xxiv. 2.) This sin is particularly laid to their charge by the prophets; and they are threatened with captivity chiefly upon that account. (See xlix. 1, 2. Ezek. xxv; 3. 6. 8. 12. 15. Amos i. 11. Obad. ver 10. Zeph. ii. 8.) And pluck the house ofJudahfrom among them.] Several Jews were carried captive, or turned voluntary exiles, into these neighbouring countries, before the general captivity by the Chaldeans. (See xv. 4. xl. 11.) Of these Jews some were translated together with the natives of those countries by the Chaldeans afterward: others went down into Egypt; (See chap.xliii. xliv.) Here is foretold the restoration of the Jews from their several dispersions. (Compare xxxii; 37; Ezek. xxviii. 25, 26.) This promise was partly made good in the times succeeding the Babylonish captivity: (see Psal. cxlvii. 2.) but will more fully be accomplished at the final restoration of that nation, concerning which see xxxj 3, &c. when the fulness of.the gentiles will likewise be brought into the church,: which the words of the next verse point at.
Jeremiah 12:15
And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out; I will return, and have compassion on them, &c. Or, I will again have compassion on them: the verb shub being often taken adverbially. (Sec the note on Isa. vi. 13.) The captivity threatened to the Jews and their neighbours seems to be confined to the space of seventy years. (See xxv. 11. xxvii. 7. Isa. xxiii. 15.) We may observe likewise, that after Jeremiah hath threatened severe judgments upon several countries, he concludes with a general promise of returning from their captivity in the latter days: (see xlviih 47. xlix. 6. 39.) which promise probably relates to their conversion under the gospel, called in Scripture the latter days. Ver. 16; If they will diligently learn the ways of my peopled] If they will learn of my people, who lived among them, to be worshippers of the true God. To swear by my name.] See the note on iv. 2. As they taught my people to swear by Baal.] See Zeph. i. 5. As all vice is contagious, it is no wonder to find the. Jews particularly fond of the idolatrous practices of their neighbours. For which cause they are often cautioned not to follow theiT customs; and it is probable several of the ceremonial laws were made in opposition to the usages received among those nations. Tlien they shall be built in the midst of my people.] They shall be joined to them as one church, which is called God’s house, or building. (See Numb. xii. 7. 1 Cor. iii. 9. 1 Tim: iii.15. lPet.ii.5.)
Jeremiah 12:17
- But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation. Those that will not have God and Christ to reign over them, shall in the end be punished with everlasting destruction. (See Isa.lx.12. Lukexix.27w compared with Rev. xix. 21.)
Prophesy not in the name of the Lord, that thou die not by our hands.*. This was the usage the prophets commonly met with from those who became their enemies; because they told them those truths they had no mind to hear. (See xx. 1. xxxYiii. 4. G. Amos vii. 10.) And this treatment they found at tho hands of their neighbours, their friends, and relations: (see xii. G. xx. 10.) as our Saviour Christ did afterward. (See Matt. xiii. 57. John vii* 15.) -
The young men shall die by the siuord, &c. I will make good Jeremiah’s prophecies, and bring those evils upon them which he hath foretold.
The year of their visitation. When I will visit their sins upon them. (See xxiii. 12. xlvi. 21. xlviii. 44. 1. 27.) The words year and day often signify a set or determined time. (Sec Isa. lxi. 2.)