Jeremias 12:2

2 Plantaste-os, e eles se arraigaram; medram, dão também fruto; chegado estás � sua boca, porém longe do seu coração.

Jeremias 12:2 Meaning and 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 God; not fruits of righteousness or good works; they grow, not in grace and holiness, but in their worldly substance; and they brought forth fruit, not such as were meet for repentance, but they had great riches, and numerous families; and so the Septuagint and Arabic versions, "they produce children, and bring forth fruit." The Targum is,

``they become rich, yea, they possess substance.''

Thou art near in their mouth;
they often made use of the name of God, either in swearing by it, or praying to him in an external manner; they called themselves the Lord's people, and boasted of being his priests, and employed in his service; they took his covenant, and the words of his law, into their mouths, and taught them the people, and yet had no sincere regard for these things: and far from their reins;
from the affections of their hearts, and the desires of their souls; they had no true love for God, nor fear of him, nor faith in him. The Targum is,

``near are the words of thy law in their mouth, and far is thy fear from their reins.''

Jeremias 12:2 In-Context

1 Justo és, ó Senhor, ainda quando eu pleiteio contigo; contudo pleitearei a minha causa diante de ti. Por que prospera o caminho dos ímpios? Por que vivem em paz todos os que procedem aleivosamente?

2 Plantaste-os, e eles se arraigaram; medram, dão também fruto; chegado estás � sua boca, porém longe do seu coração.

3 Mas tu, ó Senhor, me conheces, tu me vês, e provas o meu coração para contigo; tira-os como a ovelhas para o matadouro, e separa-os para o dia da matança.

4 Até quando lamentará a terra, e se secará a erva de todo o campo? Por causa da maldade dos que nela habitam, perecem os animais e as aves; porquanto disseram: Ele n�o vera o nosso fim.

5 Se te fatigas correndo com homens que vão a pé, então como poderás competir com cavalos? Se foges numa terra de paz, como hás de fazer na soberba do Jordão?