Judah had become like a "lion roaring" in defiance against Yahweh, rather than ruling as a noble leader of the Israelites (cf. Genesis 49:8-10). Judah opposed and turned against Him, and for this He had grown to hate (i.e., reject) "the beloved of My soul" (Jeremiah 12:7; cf. Jeremiah 9:1-10). read more
Judah was like a different, colorful bird, among birds of prey that had gathered all around her to attack her. Another translation possibility, represented by the Septuagint, is that Jeremiah described Judah as a hyena’s lair, surrounded by birds of prey ready to peck up the scraps that the hyenas left. The Lord instructed His servants (the angels?) to assemble all the wild animals that surrounded Judah to come and devour this bird. read more
Many of the foreign kings had ruined the Lord’s people, like unfaithful shepherds sometimes ruined a vineyard. They had trodden the people down so that they had become as unproductive as a wilderness, completely desolate. Furthermore, Judeans did not express enough concern to do something about the situation; they failed to repent. read more
The Lord would bring "destroyers" against His people from the wilderness, who would act as His "sword" and "devour" them. The whole land would experience war. read more
Because of the coming invasion, the harvest that the Judahites would sow would turn out to be nothing but "thorns" (cf. Leviticus 26:16; Deuteronomy 28:38; Hosea 8:7; Micah 6:15). All their labors to bring something profitable to fruition would come to nothing, because their angry Lord would bring judgment on them. read more
The Lord promised to judge Judah’s neighbor nations that had robbed His people of what the Lord had given them. Many of these neighboring peoples would go into captivity as well, just like the people of Judah. Among these were the Egyptians, Assyrians, Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites, Arameans, and even the Babylonians."Numerous ancient Near Eastern texts include the threat of exile among the lists of curses designed for evildoers, especially treaty-breakers." [Note: Thompson, p. 360.] read more
Death or life for Israel’s neighbors 12:14-17This prophecy about Israel’s neighbors anticipates chapters 46-51, which contain oracles against Gentile nations. read more
The Lord would have compassion on these neighbors of Judah, as well as on Judah, and would bring some of them back to the land at the end of the captivity, along with the Judahites (cf. Jeremiah 48:47; Jeremiah 49:6). read more
If these neighbors came to trust and worship Yahweh (cf. Genesis 31:51-53), as they had formerly taught the Judahites to trust in Baal, the Lord would accept them (cf. Ruth)."At the same time, there is no concession to the old ways or the old gods-in our modern terms, to religious pluralism" [Note: Kidner, p. 62.] Jeremiah 12:15-16 will find fulfillment in the Millennium (cf. Genesis 12:1-3; Zechariah 14:16; Romans 11:15). read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Jeremiah 12:7-13
A lament about Yahweh’s ravaged inheritance 12:7-13Many scholars believe this lament dates from the time when Jehoiakim revolted against Babylon after three years of submission (about 602 B.C.; cf. 2 Kings 24:1-2). [Note: Feinberg, p. 459.] "The second part of God’s reply is remarkable, saying in effect, ’Your tragedy is a miniature of mine.’" [Note: Kidner, p. 61.] read more