Geneva Study Bible Righteous 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? {a} Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me speak with thee of thy judgments: Why doth the way of the wicked {b} prosper? why are they all happy that deal very treacherously?
(a) The prophet confesses God to be just in all his doings, although man is not able to give a reason for all his actions. (b) This question has been always a great temptation to the godly, to see the wicked enemies of God in prosperity, and his dear children in adversity, as in Job 21:7, Ps 37:1,73:3, Hab 1:3. 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. 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 {c} reins.
(c) They profess God in mouth, but deny him in heart, which is here meant by the reins, Isa 29:13, Mt 15:8. 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. But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried my heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and {d} prepare them for the day of slaughter.
(d) The Hebrew word is sanctify them, meaning that God would be sanctified in the destruction of the wicked to whom God for a while gives prosperity, that afterward they would the more feel his heavy judgment when they lack their riches which were a sign of his mercy. 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. How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell in it? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, {e} He shall not see our last end.
(e) Abusing God's leniency and his promises, they flattered themselves as though God would ever be merciful and not utterly destroy them therefore they hardened themselves in sin, till at length the beasts and insensible creatures felt the punishment of their stubborn rebellion against God. 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 in the swelling of Jordan? If thou hast run with the {f} footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, in which thou didst trust, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?
(f) Some think that God reproves Jeremiah, in that he would reason with him, saying that if he was not able to march with men, then he was far unable to dispute with God. Others, by the footmen mean them of Anathoth: and by the horsemen, them of Jerusalem who would trouble the prophet worse than his own countrymen did. For even 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 fair words unto thee. For even 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 fair words unto thee.
I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies. I have forsaken {g} my house, I have left my heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.
(g) God wills the prophet to denounce his judgments against Jerusalem, even though they will both by threatenings and flatteries labour to silence him. Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it. My heritage is to me as a {h} lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it.
(h) Ever ranting and raging against me and my prophets. 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. My heritage is to me as a {i} speckled bird, the birds around are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.
(i) Instead of bearing my livery and wearing only my colours, they have change and diversity of colours of their idols and superstitions therefore their enemies as thick as the fowls of the air will come about them to destroy them. Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. Many shepherds have destroyed my {k} vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
(k) He prophecies of the destruction of Jerusalem, by the captain of Nebuchadnezzar, whom he calls pastors. 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. They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth to me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth {l} it to heart.
(l) Because no man regards my word, or the plagues that I have sent on the land. The spoilers are 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. The spoilers are 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. {m} They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they {n} have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of {o} your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
(m) That is, the prophets. (n) They lamented the sins of the people. (o) For instead of amendment, you grew worse and worse, as God's plagues testified. Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them. Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them.
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. And it shall come to pass, after I have plucked them out I {q} will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.
(q) After I have punished the Gentiles I will have mercy on them. And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to 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. And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the {r} ways of my people, to swear by my name, The {s} LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built {t} in the midst of my people.
(r) The true doctrine and manner to serve God. (s) Read Jer 4:2. (t) They will be of the number of the faithful, and have a place in my Church. But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD. But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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