Jeremiah 12
-Jeremiah pleads his case with
the LORD counting on His righteousness and justice (Jeremiah 12:1). This
prophetic ministry was so difficult and grieving to Jeremiah, and we see his
despair in this chapter as the weariness of the task breaks him in several ways.
It is much like what we see in the prophet Habakkuk (Habakkuk 1:1-4), Job (Job
21:4-21), and King David (Psalms 37). Jeremiah has questions as to why it
seems, at least temporally, the way of the wicked prospers, the treacherous are
at ease, the evil ones take root, grow and even produce fruit even though the
LORD is far from their mind (Jeremiah 12:2). The prophet appeals to his King
because he knows that the LORD knows him and his sincerity of heart towards
God. He prays an imprecatory prayer for vengeance because of the injustice he
sees and has experienced (Jeremiah 12:3-4). *Application* Any of us who have
worked in prophetic ministry understand exactly the challenges and frustrations
that Jeremiah speaks of in this passage. We must always see the big picture and
understand God’s perspective on things. Don’t get bogged down in the temporary.
See the end result of your faithfulness and keep trusting in the goodness of
God in these times of sadness and desperation when all seems so negative. God
eventually turns all things around, vindicates, restores, and makes it all
worth it in the end (Revelation 21:1-8).
-God’s reply begins in verse five with an unexpected answer
to the beleaguered prophet. He indicates in figurative language that times will
go from bad to worse in the near future, so buckle up and get ready for more
strenuous and intense hardship (Jeremiah 12:5). God informs him that even his
brothers (countrymen, those who should share the same faith) and the household
of his father (relatives) have dealt treacherously (done him wrong) with him as
they speak favorable to him, and that they should not be believed because of
their deceitful hearts (Jeremiah 12:6). Because
of these travesties, God is forsaking His house, abandoning His inheritance, and
raging against His people in hatred. His shepherds have ruined His vineyard
(God’s productive field in Israel for faith) by trampling it down and making it
a pagan wilderness of idolatry (Jeremiah 12:7-10). The land becomes desolate
before Him as punishment for their transgression with destroyers due to the
anger of the LORD (Jeremiah 12:11-13). They will be uprooted (Jeremiah 12:14),
but God does, in the end, give that reoccurring glimmer of hope in verses 15
& 16. “And it will come about after I have uprooted them, I will again have
compassion on them; and I will bring them back, each one to his inheritance and
each one to his land. Then if they will really learn the ways of My people, to
swear by My Name, ‘As the LORD lives,’ even as they taught my people to swear
by Baal (false gods), they will be built up in the midst of My people.”
However, there is a caveat if they still refuse to listen they will be again
uprooted and destroyed (Jeremiah 12:17). *Application* God’s plan is wrapped
strangely up in His foreknowledge and sovereignty. His will is going to be done
despite the mess ups of His people. His corrective actions are always for our
good and we need to understand this. His compassion never ending and His
restoration Divine. Stay true to the King and realize His nature is both
jealous and ever-loving.
Verse to Memorize: Jeremiah 12:15
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