Jeremiah 12 · The Lantern

The Prosperity of the Wicked

Righteous are you, O LORD, when I plead with you: yet let me talk with you of your judgments: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? why are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

"You are righteous, Lord, that I shall make my defense before you. Yet I will speak judgments to you. Why is it that the way of the ungodly prospers? All those who deal treacherously in treacheries have flourished." We still inquire whether God, who has given the Law and the Prophets, is good, seeing that "the way of the ungodly prospers" and he does not punish the ungodly.

"Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all those who do evil things thrive?" Here the prophet steps out from his usual discourse. On other occasions he brings before God prayers and sorrow about sinners.

(Chapter 12 - Verses 1 onwards) Indeed, you are just, O Lord, if I argue with you (or because I want to satisfy you); however, I will speak to you about judgments. What is it that the way of the wicked prospers? It is well for all who break the law and act unjustly.

You have planted them, yes, they have taken root: they grow, yes, they bring forth fruit: you are near in their mouth, and far from their inmost thoughts.

But you, O LORD, know me: you have seen me, and tried my heart toward you: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.

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.

God’s Answer to Jeremiah

If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the swelling of Jordan?

For even your brothers, and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; yes, they have called a multitude after you: believe them not, though they speak fair words to you.

I have forsaken my house, I have left my heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.

"I have forsaken my house, I have abandoned my inheritance, I have given my beloved soul into the hands of its enemies." Behold for me the one who exists "in the form of God," being in the heavens; behold his house, above the heavens. And if you wish to see something yet higher (that he is "in the Father"), behold that his house is God.

And although the Apostle himself told the Hebrews that a testament is of no force, until the death of the testator happen, that is to say, a testament is of no strength while the testator liveth, but is established by his death, yet as in Jeremiah the Lord, speaking of the Jews, has said, Mine heritage is unto Me as a lion, he would not deny that they were heirs.

(Vers. 7, 8.) I left my house, I abandoned my inheritance: I gave my beloved soul into the hands of its enemies. My inheritance became like a lion in the forest: it roared against me, therefore I hated it. He who spoke in the Gospel: Rise, let us go from here (John 14:31).

My heritage is to me as a lion in the forest; it cries out against me: therefore have I hated it.

My heritage is to me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come you, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.

"Is my inheritance to me a hyena's den?" He prophesies concerning this inheritance: has my inheritance perhaps become a hyena's den, a hyena's den — of the most savage beast, the corpse-eater, the one about the tombs, the one that eats the dead bodies? "Is my inheritance to me a hyena's den? Or a cave round about it on every side?

(Ver. 9.) Is my inheritance like a colorful bird to me? Is it like a bird dyed all over? Come, gather all the beasts of the earth; hurry to devour. LXX: Is the den of the hyena my inheritance? Is there a den all around it, above it? Go, gather all the animals of the field; let them come and eat it. According to the letter, he calls the colorful and fully dyed bird a peacock.

The Edomites and the Moabites and the Ammonites and the foreigners were always of a hateful and malicious disposition toward the Jews. When they saw the misfortunes brought against the Jews, they exulted over the Jews. For this reason he teaches them in advance of the future calling again of the Jews. And he calls their rulers "shepherds."

Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourns to me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man lays it to heart.

The spoilers have come upon all high places through the wilderness: for 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.

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.

A Message for Israel’s Neighbors

Thus says the LORD against all my evil neighbors, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Look, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them.

And it shall happen, 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.

And it shall happen, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD lives; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.

But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, says the LORD.

Jeremiah12

The Prosperity of the Wicked

God’s Answer to Jeremiah

A Message for Israel’s Neighbors