the Week of Proper 2 / Ordinary 7
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Maori Bible
Jeremiah 12:1
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from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Righteous: Jeremiah 11:20, Genesis 18:25, Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalms 51:4, Psalms 119:75, Psalms 119:137, Psalms 145:17, Daniel 9:7, Habakkuk 1:13-17, Zephaniah 3:5, Romans 3:5, Romans 3:6
talk: or, reason the case, Job 13:3, Isaiah 41:21
Wherefore doth: Jeremiah 5:28, Job 12:6, Job 21:7-15, Psalms 37:1, Psalms 37:35, Psalms 73:3-28, Psalms 92:7, Psalms 94:3, Psalms 94:4, Proverbs 1:32, Habakkuk 1:4, Malachi 3:15
deal: Jeremiah 12:6, Jeremiah 5:11, Isaiah 48:8, Hosea 6:7
Reciprocal: Genesis 15:3 - Behold Exodus 5:22 - returned Exodus 32:11 - why doth Joshua 7:7 - wherefore Judges 20:21 - destroyed Judges 21:3 - why is 2 Samuel 14:12 - speak one word 1 Kings 17:20 - hast thou also 2 Chronicles 22:12 - Athaliah Nehemiah 9:33 - Howbeit Job 4:17 - Shall mortal Job 5:3 - taking Job 8:17 - roots Job 9:24 - earth Job 10:3 - shine upon Job 23:7 - There Job 24:1 - not see Job 24:23 - it be given Job 34:10 - far Job 36:3 - ascribe Job 36:6 - preserveth Psalms 36:6 - judgments Psalms 37:7 - fret Psalms 73:5 - They are Psalms 73:12 - these Psalms 89:38 - But Ecclesiastes 7:15 - there is a wicked Ecclesiastes 7:25 - the reason Isaiah 24:16 - the treacherous Jeremiah 9:2 - an assembly Jeremiah 32:16 - I Prayed Lamentations 1:18 - Lord Ezekiel 18:25 - my Daniel 8:12 - and it practiced Habakkuk 2:1 - when I am reproved Romans 2:2 - judgment Romans 9:14 - Is there unrighteousness
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee,.... The six first verses of this chapter properly belong to the preceding, being of the same argument, and in strict connection with the latter part of it. Jeremiah appears to be under the same temptation, on account of the prosperity of the wicked, as Asaph was, Psalms 73:1 only he seems to have been more upon his guard, and less liable to fall by it; he sets out: with this as a first principle, an undoubted truth, that God was righteous, and could do nothing wrong and amiss, however unaccountable his providences might be to men: he did not mean, by entering the list with him, or by litigating this point, to charge him with any unrighteousness this he took for granted, and was well satisfied of, that the Lord was righteous, "though", says he, "I plead with thee" t; so some read the words. De Dieu renders them interrogatively, "shall I plead with thee?" shall I dare to do it? shall I take that boldness and use that freedom with thee? I will. The Targum is the reverse,
"thou art more just, O Lord, than that I should contend before thy word:''
yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments; not of his laws, statutes, word, and ordinances, sometimes so called; but rather of his providences, which are always dispensed with equity and justice, though not always manifest; they are sometimes unsearchable and past finding out, and will bear a sober and modest inquiry into them, and debate concerning them; the people of God may take the liberty of asking questions concerning them, when they are at a loss to account for them. So the Targum,
"but I will ask a question of judgments before thee.''
The words may be rendered, "but I will speak judgments with thee" u; things that are right; that are agreeable to the word of God and sound reason; things that are consistent with the perfections of God, particularly his justice and holiness; which are founded upon equity and truth; I will produce such reasons and arguments as seem to be reasonable and just.
Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? or they prosper in all their ways? whatever they take in hand succeeds; they enjoy a large share of health of body; their families increase, their trade flourishes, their flocks and herds grow large and numerous, and they have great plenty of all outward blessings; and yet they are wicked men, without the fear of God, regard not him, nor his worship and ways; but walk in their own ways which they have chosen, and delight in their abominations. Some understand this, as Jarchi, of Nebuchadnezzar, to whom God had given greatness and prosperity, to destroy the house of God; but by what follows, in the latter part of the next verse, it appears that God's professing people, the Jews, are meant, and most likely the priests at Anathoth.
Wherefore are all they happy; easy, quiet, secure, live in peace and plenty:
that deal very treacherously? with God and men, in religions and civil affairs.
t כי אריב אליך "etiamsi contendam tecum", Cocceius, Gataker. u אך משפטים אדבר אותך "verum tamen judicia loquar tecum", Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius, Schmidt.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Yet let me talk ... - Rather, yet will I speak with thee on a matter of right. This sense is well given in the margin. The prophet acknowledges the general righteousness of God’s dealings, but cannot reconcile with it the properity of the conspirators of Anathoth This difficulty was often present to the minds of the saints of the Old Testament, see Job 21:7 ff; Psalms 37:0; Psalms 73:0.
Happy - Rather, secure, tranquil.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
CHAPTER XII
This chapter is connected with the foregoing. The prophet
expostulates with God concerning the ways of Providence in
permitting the wicked to prosper, 1-4.
It is intimated to him that he must endure still greater
trials, 5,
from his false and deceitful brethren, 6;
but that still heavier judgments awaited the nation for their
crimes, 7-13.
That God, however, would at length have compassion on them;
restore them to their land; and turn his judgments against
those that oppressed them, if not prevented by their becoming
converts to the true religion, 14-17.
NOTES ON CHAP. XII
Verse Jeremiah 12:1. Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee — The prophet was grieved at the prosperity of the wicked; and he wonders how, consistently with God's righteousness, vice should often be in affluence, and piety in suffering and poverty. He knows that God is righteous, that every thing is done well; but he wishes to inquire how these apparently unequal and undeserved lots take place. On this subject he wishes to reason with God, that he may receive instruction.
