Nebuchadnezzar and his confederate kings trampled Judah under foot, as heedless of the ruin they were inflicting as the shepherds would be who led their flocks to browse in spring upon the tender shoots of the vine. read more
Desolate - The force of the protest lies in this word. Thrice the prophet uses it.Layeth it to heart - Rather, laid it “to heart.” The desolate land must put up its silent cry to God, because the people had refused to see the signs of the coming retribution. read more
Through - in. Even these remote scaurs do not escape, polluted as they had been by the nation’s idolatries.Shall devour - Or, devoureth. These hosts of war come as Yahweh’s sword.No flesh shall have peace - “Flesh” in Genesis 6:3 means mankind as sinners; here, Judah. “Peace” in Hebrew has the wider signification of “welfare, happiness.” Hence, their salutation in life was, “Peace be to thee,” and in death “In Peace” was engraved upon their sepulchres. read more
Shall reap ... shall not profit - Rather, have reaped ... have profited nothing. The force of the proverb is that all their labors had ended only in disappointment.And they shall be ashamed of your revenues - Or, yea, be ashamed of your produce - the produce of the fields. read more
The prophet addresses the spoilers.Evil neighbors - The Syrians, Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites, and Philistines, who at all times took advantage of Judah’s weakness. The special mercy to Judah was the prelude to mercy to the whole Gentile world. read more
The accomplishment of this blessing depends upon both Judah and the Gentiles reversing their past conduct. Then shall the believing Gentile be admitted within the fold of the true, because spiritual, Israel - Christ’s Church. read more
A.M. 3396. B.C. 608. In this chapter we have, (1,) The prophet’s humble complaint to God, of the success that the ungodly had in their wicked practices, Jeremiah 12:1 , Jeremiah 12:2 ; and his appeal to God concerning his own integrity, with a prayer that God would, for the sake of the public, bring the wickedness of the wicked to an end, Jeremiah 12:3 , Jeremiah 12:4 . (2,) God’s rebuke to the prophet for his uneasiness at the present troubles, warning him to prepare for greater,... read more
Jeremiah 12:1. Righteous art thou, O Lord The prophet, being about to inquire into the reasons and meaning of some of the divine dispensations, first recognises a truth of unquestionable certainty, namely, that God is righteous, that is, just and holy in all his ways. Thus he arms himself against the temptations wherewith he was assaulted, to envy the prosperity of the wicked, before he begins to plead with God concerning it. And, in imitation of him, when we are least able to understand... read more
Jeremiah 12:2-3. Thou hast planted them In a rich soil, by thy power: they have taken root; they grow Their prosperity seems to be confirmed and settled by thy providence. Thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins They talk of thee, and profess piety, but do not believe in and obey thee from their hearts; the true character this of hypocrites, who, according to Isaiah, honour God with their mouths, but their hearts are far from him, Isaiah 29:13. But thou, O Lord, knowest... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 12:7-9
Yahweh shows that the downfall of the nation was occasioned by no want of love on His part, but by the nation’s conduct.Left - More correctly, cast away.Jeremiah 12:8Judah has not merely refused obedience, but become intractable and fierce, like an untamed lion. It has roared against God with open blasphemy. As His favor is life, so is His hatred death, i. e., Jerusalem’s punishment shall be as if inflicted by one that hated her.Jeremiah 12:9Rather, “Is My heritage unto Me as a speckled bird?... read more