Jeremiah 12

Jeremiah 12:1-17 . CONTINUATION OF THE SUBJECT AT THE CLOSE OF THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER.

He ventures to expostulate with Jehovah as to the prosperity of the wicked, who had plotted against his life ( Jeremiah 12:1-4 ); in reply he is told that he will have worse to endure, and that from his own relatives ( Jeremiah 12:5 Jeremiah 12:6 ). The heaviest judgments, however, would be inflicted on the faithless people ( Jeremiah 12:7-13 ); and then on the nations co-operating with the Chaldeans against Judah, with, however, a promise of mercy on repentance ( Jeremiah 12:14-17 ).

1. ( Psalms 51:4 ).
let me talk, &c.--only let me reason the case with Thee: inquire of Thee the causes why such wicked men as these plotters against my life prosper (compare Job 12:6 , 21:7 , Psalms 37:1 Psalms 37:35 , 73:3 , Malachi 3:15 ). It is right, when hard thoughts of God's providence suggest themselves, to fortify our minds by justifying God beforehand (as did Jeremiah), even before we hear the reasons of His dealings.

2. grow--literally "go on," "progress." Thou givest them sure dwellings and increasing prosperity.
near in . . . mouth . . . far from . . . reins--( Isaiah 29:13 , Matthew 15:8 ). Hypocrites.

3. knowest me--( Psalms 139:1 ).
tried . . . heart--( Jeremiah 11:20 ).
toward thee--rather, "with Thee," that is, entirely devoted to Thee; contrasted with the hypocrites ( Jeremiah 12:2 ), "near in . . . mouth, and far from . . . reins." This being so, how is it that I fare so ill, they so well?
pull . . . out--containing the metaphor, from a "rooted tree" ( Jeremiah 12:2 ).
prepare--literally, "separate," or "set apart as devoted."
day of slaughter--( James 5:5 ).

4. land mourn--personification ( Jeremiah 14:2 , 23:10 ).
for the wickedness--( Psalms 107:34 ).
beasts--( Hosea 4:3 ).
He shall not see our last end--Jehovah knows not what is about to happen to us ( Jeremiah 5:12 ) [ROSENMULLER]. So the Septuagint. ( Psalms 10:11 , Ezekiel 8:12 , 9:9 ). Rather, "The prophet (Jeremiah, to whom the whole context refers) shall not see our last end." We need not trouble ourselves about his boding predictions. We shall not be destroyed as he says ( Jeremiah 5:12 Jeremiah 5:13 ).