CHAP. XII.
The prophet pleads with God concerning the prosperity of the wicked; appeals to him for his integrity; and prays that they.
for whose sins the land was visited, might be selected for punishment, 1-1. God reproves his impatience, warns him to expect heavier trials, describes the wickedness of the people,
and denounces sentence against them, 5-13. A prophecy of heavy judgments on the oppressors of the Jews, who would be restored to their own land: and of the calling of the Gentiles;
the privileges of the obedient, and the destruction of the diso-k
IGHTEOUS art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me * talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?
2 Thou hast planted them; yea, they have taken root: they grow; yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.
the prayers of despised ministers for their con- version, having returned into their own bosom, will only aggravate their condemnation.- They may glory in their relation to God, as his "beloved," and presume that all the privi- leges of his covenant are their own: but whilst they "rejoice in iniquity," they profane his ordinances here, and have nothing to do in his holy habitation in heaven. For when the olive-trees and fig-trees, that have been plant- ed in this vineyard, remain unfruitful; though they be luxuriant in foliage and of promising appearance, yet they shall surely be cut down, and cast into the fire. ( Note , Luke 13:6-9.) V. 18-23.
3 But thou, O LORD, 'knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
4 How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, " He shall not see our last end.
5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst they wearied thee , then how wilt thou do Pin the swelling of Jordan?
f 11:20. 2 Kings 20:3. 1 Chr. 1 4:25. 7:20. Hos. 4:3. Hab 29:17. Job 23:10. Ps. 17:3. 3:17. Rom. 8:22. John 21:
26:1, 44:21. 139:1,23.
17. 1 John 3:20,21.
m 5:13,31. Ps. 50:21. Ez. 7:5 -13.
n Prov. 3:11. 24:10. Heb. 12. 3,4. 1 Pet. 4:12.
ο 26:8. 36:26. 38:4-6.
p 49:19. 50:44. Jesh. 3:15. Chr. 12:15. Ps. 42:7. 69:1,2.
CHAP. XII. V. 1-4. ( Note , 11:18-23.) The prophet's discomposure, on account of the conspiracy formed against him, led him into a perplexity about the prosperity perity of the workers of iniquity, among whom he number
Those who venture to address presumptu-ed the men of Anathoth as the principal. He
ous professors of religion, after the manner in which Jeremiah addressed the Jews, must expect to be hated for their faithfulness; how much soever they weep over them, and pray for them, or spend themselves in laboring for their good.
Though they be harmless and gentle as the lamb, and patient and laborious as the ox, and devoid of guile and suspicion, they will be persecuted, instead "of highly esteemed, for their works' sake:" for such men as crucified the holy Lamb of God, will always abhor those who rebuke and warn them as he did: and they would put them to death also, if they had it in their power, and if they could not otherwise silence them. For they want to destroy their reprovers, that they may no more remember or be tormented by their faithful testimony. ( Notes , Matt . 5:10-12.
Rev. 11:7 -12.) But the Lord knows his servants, and can protect them against all the devices of persecutors: and he will certainly plead their cause, and execute vengeance on their enemies.
In every age of the church, ungodly priests have been ringleaders in this diabolical work; "a man's foes are often those of his own household;" and a prophet will be sure to be most without honor in his own country. ( Note , Matt . 13:54-58.) - When the Lord, by any means, discovers to us the enmity and devices of our opposers; we shall find it a peculiar comfort to be able to appeal to him, as the heart-searching and righteous Judge, that we suffer for well doing, and not for evil-doing:
also thought that judgments inflicted on the ringleaders might prevent the ruin of th nation; and he resolved to pour out his heart before God on this subject. He assumed it as certain, that the Lord was righteous in his most mysterious dispensations: yet he entreated him, to allow him to "expostulate with him of judgments;" (1:16. 4:12. Heb.) and to shew him the reasons of his conduct; and why he suffered such treacherous men, as cloked their inward iniquitous devices with a profession of piety, to prosper in their families, circumstances, and undertakings. ( Notes , Lev. 26:3,4.
Job 12:6-10. 21:7-16.
Ps . 37:1,2. 73:) He could with confidence appeal to the heart-searching God, that he acted uprightly; and that he was hated and persecuted for his sake: and he therefore prayed that these principal transgressors might be singled out for punishment, as sheep are for the slaughter; that a check being thus given to the growth of wickedness, and a sacrifice as it were made to divine justice, the drought under which the land labored might be terminated. ( Note , 14: 2-6.)-These presumptuous criminals had said, that the prophet "should not see their last end:" that is, they were confident that the judginents which he predicted would not be executed: and they had determined to compass his death, and thus prevent him from seeing whether they would or not.-'God will 'never bring that destruction upon us, with 'which Jeremiah threatens us.' Lowth . (Notes,
6 For even a thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee: yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak t fair words unto thee.
7TI have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; "I have given + the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.
8 Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: * therefore have I hated it.
9 Mine heritage is unto me as a || speckled bird, the birds round about are against her, * come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.
10 Many a pastors have destroyed
9 9:4. 11:21. 20:10. Gen. 37:4 11. Job 6.15. Ps. 69:8. Ez. 33:30,31. Mic. 7.5,6. Matt. 10:21. Mark 13:12. John 7:5. r Is. 31:4. Acts 16:22. 18:12. 19:24-29. 21:28-30.
* Or, cried after thee fully.
s Ps. 12:2. Prov. 26:25. Matt. 22:16-18.
↑ Heb. good things.
t 11:15. 51:5. Is. 2:6.
15. Joel 2:17. 3:2.
u 7:14. Lam. 2:1, &c.
Hos. 9:
Ez. 7:
20,21. 24:21. Luke 21:24.
Heb. the love of.
Or, yelleth. Heb. giveth out his voice. 2:15. 51:38.
x Hos 9:15. Am. 6:8. Zech. 11:8
|| Or, a bird having talons. y 2:15. 2 Kings 24:2. Ez. 16: 36,37, 23:22-25. Rev. 17:16, z 7:33. Is. 56:9. Ez. 39:17- 20. Rev. 19:17,18.
Or, cause them to come.
a See on 6:3.-25:9, 39:3.
b Ps. 80.8-16. Is. 5:1-7. Luke 20:9-16.
Ps. 94:1-9.)- Near , &c. (2) Notes , Is . 29:1316. Matt . 15:7--9.
V. 5, 6. The Lord seems here gently to reprove the prophet's impatience. The opposidable what hematoxpect our tion of the men of Anathoth was not so formifrom the kings and rulers of Judah; and the present calamities of the nation were trivial, compared with the approaching desolations. If then he was so disconcerted by these lighter trials, how would he endure more severe afflictions?
If he was so wearied with running with footmen, or contending with his equals; how would he be disquieted, when required ed to run with horsemen, or execute his office in defiance of those in authority? ( Notes , 26: 36: 37:38:) If he could scarcely endure, when the land, (in which he too confidently had expected safety,) remained in peace; what would he do, when hostile invasions would bear down all before them, like the overflowing waters of Jordan? ( Notes , 49:19,20. Josh. 3: 15.) And as his nearest relations, even such as were nearer to him, than the rest of the
vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my ** pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
11 They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.
12 The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: forth the sword of the Lord shall devour, from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace.
13 They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit; and they shall be ashamed of your revenues, because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
14 Thus saith the Lord against all mine evil neighbors, that touch the inher
c Is. 43:28. 63:18. Lam. 1:10, 11. Luke 21:14. Rev. 11:2. ** Heb. portion of desire. See on 3:19.
d 6:8. 9:11. 10:22,25. 19:8. e See on
4-8.-14:2. 23:10.
Lam. 1:-5: Zech. 7:5. f Ec. 7:2. Is. 42:25. 57:1. Mal.
2:2.
g See on 4:11-15.9:19-21. h 15:2. 34:17. 47:6, 48:2. Lev. 26:33. Is. 34:6. 66:15,16. Ez. 5:2. 14:17. Am. 9:4. Zeph. 2: 12. Rev. 19:16-21.
j Lev. 26:16. Deut. 28:38. Mic. 6:15. Hag. 1:6. 2:16,17. k See on 3:23-25. Is. 30:1-6. 31:1-3.55:2. Hab. 2:13. Rom. 6:21.
1 48:26,27. 50.9-17.51:33-35. F.z. 25:3-15. Am. 1:2-15. Zeph. 2:8-10.
m 2.3. 49:1,7. Ps. 105:15. Ob. 10-16. Zech. 1:15. 2:8. 12:2 -4.
and
they shewed their enmity by murdering his prophets. This was the general character of the nation, and therefore the Lord abhorred them. Nay, they were become as a speckled indicthey all the abom bird: they had collected together combined them, together with the worship of surrounding countries JEHOVAH, into one motley mixture of idolatry and superstition. Therefore the nations should be let loose against them, to punish them for borrowing their idolatries; and as birds of prey, or wild beasts to devour them. ( Marg . Ref . z.)-The word, rendered "speckled," is of uncertain signification; occurring only in this place. It is derived from a root, which signi- fies to color , or, to paint in a variegated manner . A bird seems evidently meant, by the context. The margin renders it "having talons."
men of Anathoth, and whom he probably sup-down:) and when this pleasant portion should
posed to be unconcerned in the conspiracy, would fiercely combine against him, and excite the multitude to assault him; so he must expect opposition from every quarter, and prepare for it; it; and and he ought not to trust even those who spake most friendly to him. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , Mic . 7:5-7. Matt . 10:34-36.)
V. 10--13. 6:2,3. Is . 5:1-7.) The captains of Nebuchadnezzar's army were the many pastors here intended; they came, as shepherds with their flocks, to devour and tread down Judah and Jerusalem; (the Lord's vineyard, the hedge of which he had broken be desolated, it would mourn unto him; the very ruins of the city and temple would, as it were, mournfully cry for redress; and the captive Jews would repent of their sins, and seek deliverance. But till these judgments were actually inflicted, none of the people would lay either the denunciations, or any preceding V.7-9.
The Lord next condescended to corrections, to heart. (Note, Is . 42:22--25.) explain his purposes concerning the Jews, and The Chaldean spoilers therefore would come the reasons of his conduct, to his discouraged through the wilderness, to destroy Jerusalem, servant.
He was determined to forsake his and all their fortified places; for the Lord temple, and to give up his heritage, (which he would use then as his sword to destroy the had so long treated with peculiar kindness,) whole land, and to take away peace from every into the hands of his enemies. ( Notes , 10:16. inhabitant: all the methods, which could be 11:15.) For his people were become out- taken for relief, though laborious and expenrageous and rapacious as lions; they openly sive, would resemble the sowing of wheat and quarrelled with his appointments and require- the reaping of thorns or thistles: and they ments; and because they could not reach him, || would be ashamed, when they saw the wretch
itance which I have caused my people Is- || diligently learn the ways of my people, to
rael to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them.
15 And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out, I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.
16 And it shall come to pass, if they will
n48:51: Ez. 25:-32:35: ο 3:18. 32:37. Deut. 30:3. Ps. 106:47. Is. 11:11-16. Ez. 28:25. 34:12,13. 36:24. 37:21. 39:27,28. Hos. 1:11. Am. 9:
14,15. Zeph. 3:19,20. Zech. 10.6-12.
p 48.47. 49.6,39. Is. 23:17,18. q 48:47. 49:6,39. Num. 32:18. Deut. 3:20.
ed effects of all their devices and efforts. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 47:6,7. Ez . 14 : 13-21 . )
swear by my name, The Lord liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.
17 But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the Lord.
r See on 4:2. 5:2.-Deut. 10:20, 21. Is. 19:18-22.45:23. 65:16. Rom. 14:11.
s Josh. 23:7. Ps. 106:55,36. Zeph. 1:5.
t Is. 19:23-25.56:5,6. Zech. 2:11. Rom. 11:17. 1 Cor. 3:
V. 14--17. The Jews had deserved their calamities from God: but the neighboring nations injuriously invaded and spoiled them, out of hatred to JEHovAH and his worship; and because they coveted the land which he had allotted his people: and therefore he would plead their cause against his evil neighbors; and both execute judgments on them, and re-sers. instate Judah in his own land. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 25: 48:-51: Ez . 25: 26:2. Am . 1:11,12. Ob . 10-16.)-Yet he would afterwards shew mercy to those nations, and give them the quiet possession of the countries, which he had assigned them: nay, he meant to admit them into his church, and to all the privileges of his people; when they were disposed to learn his true religion, as they had formerly taught the Israelites their idolatries.
This
evidently implies a prediction of the incorporation of the Jews and Gentiles in the Christian church; ( Notes , Eph . 2:11-23.) and looks forward to those times, when all Israel shall be restored, and "the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in;" and when all nations will be destroyed, which persist in their opposition to the cause of Christ. (Notes, Is . 60:10-14. Zech. 10:5-12. 14:12-21. Rev. 19:11-21.) 'Those that will not have God and Christ to 'reign over them, shall in the end be punished 'with everlasting destruction.' Lowth .
To swear, &c. (16) Notes , 4:1,2. Is . 45:23 -25.65:16. Zeph . 1:5.- "Baal" in this connexion, is used as a general name for the many idols of the gentiles.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. The Lord allows his people to spread their perplexities before him, and humbly to plead with him concerning his judgments: but he expects it to be always taken for granted, that "he is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works."-The success and prosperity of the wicked, and especially that of persecutors and deceivers, who oppose the cause of God; terrify or seduce multitudes into impiety, infidelity, or hypocrisy; and bring down judgments on churches and nations, is very embarrassing to the pious mind.
Yet the Lord never permits such men to prosper; except it be for the salutary trial or correction of his people; or for just judgments on those who hate his truths and precepts: and those who are spared to be executioners of wrath on others, and "to treasure up wrath for themselves," should not be called happy . For if they be "planted, and take root, and bear fruit," it is unto death and condemnation. It is not easy, however, in trying circumstances, to avoid every degree of impatience; even when the Lord himself may safely be appealed to for
9. Eph. 2:19-22. 1 Pet. 2:
4-6.
u Ps. 2:8-12. Is. 60:12. Zech. 14:16-19. Luke 19:27, 2 Thes. 1:8. 1 Pet. 2:6-8. x 14-17.18:7. 31:28. Ez. 19:
12. Dan. 7:4-8. 11:4.
our integrity, and when the hypocrisy of our opponents is most evident. Our grief for the prevalence of iniquity is often leavened with peevishness, on account of the trials which it occasions us: and our zeal for the honor of God, our abhorrence of sin, and even our love to the church and nation to which we belong, are often mingled with an undue regard to our own credit, and bitterness against our oppoWe ought then on such occasions, to watch our hearts, and to bridle our tongues, that we may not speak or act unadvisedly, and in our own spirit.
Should the Lord see any of us, in this our favored day, fretful or desponding under our trifling difficulties, he might sharply and properly reprove us, as he did his servant of old: we should therefore judge ourselves; and consider how we should behave, if, instead of our light trials, we were called to sufferings like those of the prophets, apostles, and martyrs of other ages or nations: thus our minds would be quieted in submission and gratitude.
We ought not, however, to trust in our land of peace, for we know not what overwhelming calamities await us; and we are sure, that if we be indeed faithful in the cause of truth and holiness, the wicked, though nearly related, will hate us, and we must expect treachery cloked with fair words: we should then prepare for trials, and count our cost; and we may well question our own faithfulness, if all go smoothly with us in this evil world.
But none will be so inveterate against the faithful servant of God, as those who presume themselves to be his chief favorites, merely because they have enjoyed and perverted peculiar advantages. Such men count every privilege their own, by a title which nothing can forfeit: and as they are ready to complain of the Lord, when he thwarts them in providence; so they are enraged at his ministers when they reprove them from his word.
They often desire to be deemed the lambs of his fold; but their ungoverned tempers and rapacity shew them to be more like furious lions devouring the prey: and, instead of the purity and simplicity of the dove, they present to the view a heterogeneous mixture of religion and the world, with its vain fashions, maxims, pursuits, and pollutions.
Thus many churches become like spe speckled birds, mixing together religion and vain su perstition: attempting to serve God and Mam mon, and to form a coalition between light and darkness, Christ and Belial. ( Note , 2 Cor . 6:14-18. Р. О. 11—18. ) But this the Lord abhors: and for such degeneracy he often leaves them to be punished by the very persons, whose vices and errors they have imitated.All the efforts of sinners to escape misery, without repentance and "fruits meet for repentance," will surely terminate in confusion;