Chapter 12

1 Jeremiah, complaining of the wicked’s prosperity, by faith seeth their ruin. 5 God admonisheth him of his brethren’s treachery against him, 7 and lamenteth his heritage. 14 He promiseth to the penitent return from captivity.

1. When I plead. Jeremiah appears deeply perplexed over the continued prosperity of the wicked. Though at heart convinced that God is “righteous,” he cannot fully harmonize his concept of God with the facts of human experience. Other saints had grappled with the same problem, for example, Job (Job 21:7–13) and David (Ps. 73:1–12; see Introduction to Ps. 73). If, as seems likely, Jer. 12 fits chronologically between chs. 11 and 13, Jeremiah may have still been troubled over the hostility and the conspiracy of the men of Anathoth.

Happy. Literally, “at ease,” or “at rest.”

2. Planted. See ch. 11:17.

They have taken root. A figure denoting the prosperous state of the wicked.

Their reins. Literally, “the kidneys.” These organs were considered to be the seat of the emotions. Hence by “reins” were designated “the inner feelings” (see Ps. 26:2).

3. Thou, O Lord. Confident that God is aware of his sincerity, Jeremiah expects God to vindicate him.

Sheep for the slaughter. See ch. 11:19. Jeremiah requests for his enemies the punishment they intended to inflict upon him.

Prepare. Heb. qadash, frequently translated “to sanctify,” here evidently meaning “to set apart” (see on ch. 6:4).

4. Our last end. The LXX reads “our ways.”

5. Hast run. God asks Jeremiah to compare his small sorrows with the larger troubles of others, or with the larger troubles that would yet come to him.

With the footmen. A figure representing the ordinary vicissitudes of life, as compared with “horses,” or “horsemen,” representing the more difficult experiences. The ordinary man could be expected to “keep up” with his fellow men. If he should become weary when running with the footmen, how could he face the harder task of keeping up with the horses? The lesson given to the prophet of old may well come home to each one today. If we neglect the minor tasks of life, how can we undertake the greater responsibilities that may come to us? If we succumb to the smaller temptations of everyday life, how can we overcome in the greater crises of life? If we cannot endure the lesser troubles of life, how can we withstand the terrible tribulations that will yet come upon us? And finally, if we fail to meet the situations of the present day with faith and trust, how will we be able to stand the almost unendurable hardships and almost overmastering delusions that will come upon us during the “time of trouble” (see GC 621, 622)?

Swelling. Heb. gaХon, “height,” “eminence,” or “pride.” The usual translation of gaХon in the OT is “pride.” There is some question as to just what is meant by the expression here, “the pride of the Jordan,” or “the height of the Jordan.” Some consider that the reference is to “the high waters of the Jordan,” denoting the overflowing of the river in harvesttime (see Joshua 3:15; 1 Chron. 12:15). Others are of the opinion that the reference is to “the high trees of the Jordan,” which, with the underlying shrubs and cane, formed a jungle inhabited by lions and other wild beasts (see Jer. 49:19; Zech. 11:3). It matters not whether the “swelling” of the Jordan is the “flood,” or the “jungle,” the contrast is clear between it and the “land of peace.”

6. Thy brethren. Either Jeremiah’s immediate family, or the men of Anathoth, who were Jeremiah’s “brethren” in the sacred office of the priesthood (see on ch. 1:1; cf. ch. 11:23).

Called a multitude after thee. Literally, “cried after thee fully.”

7. Mine house. This expression evidently refers to the Israelites rather than to the Temple, as is indicated by the following clause (see Hosea 8:1; 1 Tim. 3:15; Heb. 3:6). The Lord is undoubtedly the speaker, not Jeremiah.

Left. The Hebrew word used here emphasizes the lack of further attention or care toward the person or thing that is “left.”

9. Mine heritage. In Hebrew this verse is a question, “Is my heritage like a speckled bird to me?” The birds mentioned in v. 9 are birds of prey.

10. Pastors. Literally, “shepherds.” The leaders of the armies of invaders are compared to shepherds, whose flocks despoil the crops (see ch. 6:3).

11. Desolate. The threefold repetition of this idea adds strikingly to the force of the picture.

No man layeth it to heart. An expression denoting indifference, a sin that made more grievous the iniquity of the Israelites (see Isa. 42:25; 57:1, 11).

12. Sword of the Lord. So called because the military might of Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar was the instrument used to carry out the divine purpose in punishing God’s people (see on Deut. 32:41; cf. Isa. 7:20; 10:5, 6).

Peace. See on ch. 6:14.

13. Shall reap thorns. Better, “have reaped thorns.”

Revenues. Heb. tebuХoth, “yields,” or “increases,” that is, the harvest of the soil.

14. Mine evil neighbours. The Edomites, Moabites, Amalekites, Philistines, and the other surrounding nations who rejoiced over Judah’s fall and attacked her when she was weak (see 2 Kings 24:1, 2).

I will pluck them. In their captivity these heathen nations will suffer punishment like that of Judah (see ch. 25:15–29).

16. Swear by my name. If a heathen nation would turn to Jehovah, the God of Israel, that nation would “be built in the midst” of His people, that is, be counted as belonging to the Lord. It was God’s purpose that these nations should turn to Him and be added to His people, Israel.

17. Pluck up and destroy. To nations, as well as to individuals, is given a time of probation, and when that time is past, the unrepentant nation will fall under the wrath of God (see PK 364).

Ellen G. White comments

1    5T 397

3     FE 348