Jeremiah 12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 12:16

And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people ,.... Not their evil ways of sin or superstition, they sometimes stray into; but the ways which God has prescribed to them, and has directed them to walk in, and in which they do walk; and which are to be learned of the Lord, by a diligent attendance with his people on his word and ordinances; see Isaiah 2:3 , to swear by my name, the Lord liveth ; that is, to worship and serve the living God, a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 12:17

But if they will not obey ,.... Or "hear" F11 ישמעו "audierint", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus; "audient", Cocceius. ; the word of the Lord, and hearken to the ministers of the Gospel, and be subject to the ordinances of it; or as the Targum, "will not receive instruction:' I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the Lord : root it up from being a nation, strip it of all its privileges and enjoyments, and destroy it with an everlasting destruction; see Zechariah... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 12

This chapter is connected with the foregoing. The prophet expostulates with God concerning the ways of Providence in permitting the wicked to prosper, Jeremiah 12:1-4 . It is intimated to him that he must endure still greater trials, Jeremiah 12:5 , from his false and deceitful brethren, Jeremiah 12:6 ; but that still heavier judgments awaited the nation for their crimes, Jeremiah 12:7-13 . That God, however, would at length have compassion on them; restore them to their land; and turn... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 12:1

Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee - The prophet was grieved at the prosperity of the wicked; and he wonders how, consistently with God's righteousness, vice should often be in affluence, and piety in suffering and poverty. He knows that God is righteous, that every thing is done well; but he wishes to inquire how these apparently unequal and undeserved lots take place. On this subject he wishes to reason with God, that he may receive instruction. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 may here be the symbol of common evil events; horsemen, of evils much more terrible. If thou have sunk under small difficulties, what wilt thou do when great ones come? And if in the land of peace, wherein thou... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 betray thee. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 they forsook me, they were to be abandoned to their enemies, and cast out of the good land I gave to their fathers. read more

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