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Jeremias xii.
Notes & Commentary:
Ver. 1. Is
just. Hebrew, "judgment." Septuagint, "I will make my apology to thee." Jeremias had been grievously persecuted by his
countrymen: he therefore mentions a subject which has been the source of much perplexity. The success of the wicked is a temptation
for weak souls. See Job xxi., Psalm lxxii. 3., and Habacuc i. 13. (Calmet) --- The prophets often speak in their names,
not being ignorant or doubtful of the justice of divine providence. (Worthington)
Ver. 2. Reins.
They have thy name in their mouth, but not in their heart, Isaias xxix. 13., and Matthew xv. 8.
Ver. 3. Gather.
God orders his prophet to announce the misery of the wicked.
Ver. 4. Mourn?
Is not this a proof of my providence in chastising Juda? This famine is specified [in] chap. viii. 13., and xiv. 4. (Calmet)
--- Last end. Two letters seem to be transposed in Hebrew, as the Septuagint read "ways." (Kennicott) --- The impious
blaspheme as if all were ruled by chance. (Calmet)
Ver. 5. Horses.
If thou hast been terrified at the threats of thy fellow-citizens, how wilt thou withstand those of Jerusalem? (Menochius)
or he speaks to Juda, who would not be able to resist the Chaldeans, since the Philistines, &c., had routed the Jews,
though destitute of cavalry. --- Jordan, or the nations of Ammon, &c., on that side. (Calmet) --- Protestants,
"if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt," &c. (Haydock)
Ver. 6. To
thee. Edom, &c., made a league with Sedecias, which they broke. They always bore a hatred to the Jews, though sprung
from the same stock, chap. xxvii. 1., and Lamentations iv. 21. (Calmet)
Ver. 7. Soul;
people, (Haydock) whose punishment was decreed. Say not, therefore, that the wicked always prosper.
Ver. 9. As
a. Septuagint, "a den of the hyena:" Alexandrian, "robbers." Grabe inserts, "or a den around it?" (Haydock) --- They have
read áuss, "a den," instead of hait,
"a bird." Bochart, (iii. 11.) however, shews that the latter word denotes various wild beasts, and nearly follows the Septuagint.
Though the inheritance be most charming, it shall not pass unpunished. (Calmet)
Ver. 10. Pastors;
princes of my people, as well (Haydock) as of the Chaldeans, chap. vi. 3.
Ver. 11. Heart,
to seek God and the cause of their misfortunes.
Ver. 13. Fruits.
They shall not satisfy your expectations or wants.
Ver. 14. Land.
Nabuchodonosor led the Ammonites, &c., into captivity, five years after the Jews. (Josephus, Antiquities x. 11.) (Calmet)
--- After the children are chastised, the rod is burnt. (Worthington)
Ver. 15. Land;
the Jews, as well as their neighbours, chap. xlix. 6. (Menochius) (Isaias xxiii. 15., and Ezechiel xvi. 55.)
Ver. 16. People.
After the captivity, converts were more cherished. Yet the predictions concerning the call of the Gentiles were accomplished
only by the preaching of the gospel. (Calmet)
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Bible Text & Cross-references:
The prosperity of the wicked shall be but for a short
time. The desolation of the Jews for their sins. Their return from their captivity.
1 Thou indeed, O Lord, art just, if I plead with thee, *but yet I will
speak what is just to thee: **Why doth the way of the wicked prosper: why is it well with all them that transgress, and do
wickedly?
2 Thou hast planted them, and they have taken root: they prosper and
bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.
3 And thou, O Lord, hast known me; thou hast seen me, and proved my heart
with thee: gather them together as sheep for a sacrifice, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
4 How long shall the land mourn, and the herb of every field wither for
the wickedness of them that dwell therein? The beasts and the birds are consumed: because they have said: He shall not see
our last end.
5 If thou hast been wearied with running with footmen, how canst thou
contend with horses? and if thou hast been secure in a land of peace, what wilt thou do in the swelling of the Jordan?
6 For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have
fought against thee, and have cried after thee with full voice: believe them not when they speak good things to thee.
7 I have forsaken my house, I have left my inheritance: I have given
my dear soul into the hand of her enemies.
8 My inheritance is become to me as a lion in the wood: it hath cried
out against me, therefore have I hated it.
9 Is my inheritance to me as a speckled bird? is it as a bird dyed throughout?
come ye, assemble yourselves, all ye beasts of the earth; make haste to devour.
10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion
under foot: they have changed my delightful portion into a desolate wilderness.
11 They have laid it waste, and it hath mourned for me. With desolation
is all the land made desolate: because there is none that considereth in the heart.
12 The spoilers are come upon all the ways of the wilderness, for the
sword of the Lord shall devour from one end of the land to the other end thereof: there is no peace for all flesh.
13 They have sown wheat, and reaped thorns: they have received an inheritance,
and it shall not profit them: you shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce wrath of the Lord.
14 Thus saith the Lord, against all my wicked neighbours, that touch
the inheritance that I have shared out to my people Israel: Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and I will pluck
the house of Juda out of the midst of them.
15 And when I shall have plucked them out, I will return, and have mercy
on them: and I will bring them back every man to his inheritance, and every man into his land.
16 And it shall come to pass, if they will be taught, and will learn
the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The Lord liveth; as they have taught my people to swear by Baal: that they shall
be built up in the midst of my people.
17 But if they will not hear, I will utterly pluck out and destroy that
nation, saith the Lord.
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*
1: Psalm li. 6. --- ** Job xxi. 7.; Habacuc i. 13.
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