Jeremiah 20:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 20:7-13

Pashur's doom was to be a terror to himself; Jeremiah, even now, in this hour of temptation, is far from being so; and yet it cannot be denied but that he is here, through the infirmity of the flesh, strangely agitated within himself. Good men are but men at the best. God is not extreme to mark what they say and do amiss, and therefore we must not be so, but make the best of it. In these verses it appears that, upon occasion of the great indignation and injury that Pashur did to Jeremiah,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 20:12

But, O Lord, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart ,.... That tries the cause of the righteous, and vindicates them, rights their wrongs, and does them justice; being the omniscient God, the seer and searcher of the hearts and reins; who knows the uprightness of their hearts, as well as their ways, and the sincerity of their affections: or that tries the faith and patience of the righteous, their constancy and integrity; and upon trial finds that their affections are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 20:12

Verse 12 The Prophet shews here briefly how he dared to allege God’s name and help against his enemies; for hypocrites often boast that God is their helper, but they falsely pretend his name. The proof, then, by which the Prophet shews that he did not falsely or presumptuously pretend what he had stated, — that God was to him like a strong giant, who could easily lay prostrate all the wicked, ought to be well weighed; and it was this — that he dared to make God the witness and judge of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 20:7-13

A lyric passage, expressing the conflict in the prophet's mind owing to the mockery and the slander which his preaching has brought upon him, and at the same time his confidence of victory through the protection of Jehovah; a suitable sequel to the narrative which goes before, even if not originally written to occupy this position (see general Introduction). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 20:7-18

The sorrow and joy of God's servant. There are many such photographs of the inner heart-life of God's people. It is the touch of nature which brings them near to us. The words and work of Jeremiah become more living and influential when we witness his spiritual struggles. I. THE SPIRITUAL NECESSITY OF HIS POSITION IS ALTERNATELY COMPLAINED OF AND ACQUIESCED IN . The saint cannot always continue amidst his highest experiences. There are ups and downs, not only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 20:10-13

The name Magor-Missabib wrongly applied. I. THE HOPES OF JEREMIAH 'S ENEMIES . We have seen in the preceding passage ( Jeremiah 20:7-9 ) how the prophet 'was incessantly exposed to exceedingly irritating taunts from his enemies; and how the pain of these taunts in a measure tempted him to try if he could not escape the pain by ceasing to prophesy. Jehovah perfectly preserved him from this danger. The prophetic fire within him, divinely kindled and sustained, was too strong to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 20:12

Repeated, with slight variations, from Jeremiah 11:20 . read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 20:7-18

In the rest of the chapter we have an outbreak of deep emotion, of which the first part ends in a cry of hope Jeremiah 20:13, followed nevertheless by curses upon the day of his birth. Was this the result of feelings wounded by the indignities of a public scourging and a night spent in the stocks? Or was it not the mental agony of knowing that his ministry had (as it seemed) failed? He stands indeed before the multitudes with unbending strength, warning prince and people with unwavering... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 20:12-13

Jeremiah 20:12-13. But, O Lord, that triest the righteous That triest their faith and patience, in order to the farther purification of their souls, and the increase of these and all their other graces; or, who takest cognizance of them, and of every cause in which they are interested; and who dost not judge in their favour with partiality, but searchest the reins and the heart; let me see thy vengeance on them See note on Jeremiah 11:20. For unto thee have I opened my cause As to a... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 20:7-18

Jeremiah complains again (20:7-18)The prophet feels that God has not been fair to him. God has called him to be a prophet against his personal wishes, then, when he faithfully announces God’s message, the people mock and curse him (7-8). If he decides to keep quiet he finds he cannot, for God’s word burns within him and he must proclaim it. Even his friends have turned against him and now treacherously plot his downfall (9-10). When he remembers that God is on his side, he is assured that his... read more

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