Jeremiah 12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 12

In this chapter we have, I. The prophet's humble complaint to God of the success that wicked people had in their wicked practices (Jer. 12:1, 2) and his appeal to God concerning his own integrity (Jer. 12:3), with a prayer that God would, for the sake of the public, bring the wickedness of the wicked to an end, Jer. 12:3, 4. II. God's rebuke to the prophet for his uneasiness at his present troubles, bidding him prepare for greater, Jer. 12:5, 6. III. A sad lamentation of the present deplorable... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 12:1-6

The prophet doubts not but it would be of use to others to know what had passed between God and his soul, what temptations he had been assaulted with and how he had got over them; and therefore he here tells us, I. What liberty he humbly took, and was graciously allowed him, to reason with God concerning his judgments, Jer. 12:1. He is about to plead with God, not to quarrel with him, or find fault with his proceedings, but to enquire into the meaning of them, that he might more and more see... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 12:7-13

The people of the Jews are here marked for ruin. I. God is here brought in falling out with them and leaving them desolate; and they could never have been undone if they had not provoked God to desert them. It is a terrible word that God here says (Jer. 12:7): I have forsaken my house?the temple, which had been his palace; they had polluted it, and so forced him out of it: I have left my heritage, and will look after it no more. His people that he has taken such delight in, and care of, are... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 12:14-17

The prophets sometimes, in God's name, delivered messages both of judgment and mercy to the nations that bordered on the land of Israel: but here is a message to all those in general who had in their turns been one way or other injurious to God's people, had either oppressed them or triumphed in their being oppressed. Observe, I. What the quarrel was that God had with them. They were his evil neighbours (Jer. 12:14), evil neighbours to his church, and what they did against it he took as done... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 12

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 12 This chapter contains the prophets complaint of the prosperity of the wicked, and the Lord's answer to it; an account of the deplorable and miserable estate of the Jewish nation; and a threatening to the neighbouring nations that had used them ill; with a promise of deliverance of the Jews from them, and settlement among God's people in case of obedience. The prophet's complaint is in Jeremiah 12:1 in which he asserts the justice of God, yet seems at a loss to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 12:1

Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee ,.... The six first verses of this chapter properly belong to the preceding, being of the same argument, and in strict connection with the latter part of it. Jeremiah appears to be under the same temptation, on account of the prosperity of the wicked, as Asaph was, Psalm 73:1 only he seems to have been more upon his guard, and less liable to fall by it; he sets out: with this as a first principle, an undoubted truth, that God was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 12:2

Thou hast planted them ,.... In the land of Canaan, fixed the bounds of their habitation, given them a firm and comfortable settlement; for all the good things, even of the wicked, come from God: yea, they have taken root ; as everything that is planted does not; but these did, though it was downwards in the earth, on which their hearts were set, and so were strengthened and established in their worldly circumstances: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit ; but to themselves, not to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 12:3

But thou, O Lord, knowest me ,.... The Lord knew him before he was born, Jeremiah 1:5 , he knew what he designed him for, and what use he would make of him; and he knew him now, and loved him, and cared for him, as his prophet; he knew his sincerity and faithfulness, and took notice of it, with what integrity he performed his office, and discharged his duty; and he knew that all his enemies said of him were scandal and reproach, lies and calumnies. Thou hast seen me ; his inside, his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 12:4

How long shall the land mourn ,.... The land of Judea, being desolate, and bringing forth no fruit, through the long drought that had been upon it: and the herbs of every field wither ; for want of rain to come upon it: for the wickedness of them that dwell therein ? this opens the cause, the reason of this dearth; it was the wickedness of the inhabitants of it: as the whole earth was originally cursed for the sins of men, so particular countries have had the marks of God's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 12:5

If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee ,.... The Targum introduces the words thus, "this is the answer which was made to Jeremiah the prophet, concerning his question; a prophet thou art, like to a man that runs with footmen, and is weary.' Then how canst thou contend with horses ? or with men on horses: the sense is, either as Kimchi gives it, thou art among men like thyself, and thou art not able to find out their secrets and their designs against thee (see ... read more

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