Prosperity of the Wicked

Why do the Wicked Prosper?

  • 12:1 “I wish to contend with You” - Are you sure You know what You are doing, God? Psalm 73
  • 12:4 “he cannot see our end” - the people do not believe Jeremiah.

This is still beginner level

  • 12:5 “how can you contend with horses?” - if you think this little plot to kill you is bad, it is just training you for the real conflict.
  • 12:6 “Even your brothers” - his own family was conspiring to kill Jeremiah.
  • 12:8 “she has roared against Me” - the insolent, in your face rebellion against their sworn covenant with God has caused God to say, “therefore I hate her”.
  • 12:10 “Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard” - evil politicians openly violating the Constitution (law of Moses) they and their ancestors swore to uphold.
  • 12:13 “bear the shame of your harvest” - tragic because it didn’t have to be that way.
  • 12:15 “once again have compassion” - God is just as compassionate for the pagan nations as for Judah.
  • 12:16 “diligently learn” - they get the same choice as Israel, obey and God will establish you, …
  • 12:17 “but if they will not obey” - then God will uproot and destroy them. God does not utterly destroy Israel because of His unconditional promise.