Jeremiah 12:1-17

12:1-4 | Like Job (Job 21:7-12) and Asaph (Ps. 73), Jeremiah asked God, Why do the wicked prosper? They were the ones who seemed to be thriving, despite giving lip service to God but keeping Him far from their mind.

12:5-6 | God reminded Jeremiah that current difficulties were like a casual jog in the park compared with the race against horses that later struggles would require. He would be unable to trust even his own family. God does not hesitate to ask believers to do difficult things because He promises to help them accomplish those things.

12:7-13 | God describes His plans for His people in terms of a patriarch giving up his heritage. The grand estate upon which He had lavished such care was ruined. It had become as wild as a lion and drawn to carrion like a vulture.

12:14-15 | Despite the prospect of God’s anger and the evil neighbors who would touch the inheritance and take them into captivity, both the land and the people would remain His possession. God’s compassion on His people will never end (Zech. 2:8).

12:16-17 | Here we glimpse God’s global purposes even though the chosen people so poorly communicated the wonders of the true God to the rest of the nations. Israel’s hope was offered to those who were not chosen. The Lord was willing to even extend His mercy to the Canaanites who had taught Israel to worship Baal.