SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 12
JEREMIAH’S COMPLAINT: (vs. 1-4)
- Why does the way of the wicked prosper? (v. 1a)
- Why do all the faithless live at ease? (v. 1b)(
- Why have they grown and borne fruit? (v. 2)
- How long will the lands lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? (v. 4)
GOD’S ANSWER (vs. 5-17)
- Do not trust your brothers though they speak well of you. (v. 6)
- I will forsake my house and abandon my inheritance. (v. 7a)
- I will will give the one I love into the hands of her enemies. (v. 7b)
- My sword will devour the land (v. 12)
- They will sow wheat but reap thorns and wear themselves out gaining nothing. (v. 13)
- After I uprooted the wicked, I will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to his own inheritance and his own country. (v. 15)
- If they learn my ways, they will be established among my people. (v. 16)
- But if any nation does not listen, I will completely uproot and destroy it. (v. 17)
THOUGHTS:
Most of us have asked this question: “Why do the wicked prosper?” We want justice to come quickly. But God does not answer our prayer immediately nor is his answer to our prayer always nice and easy to handle. We are to be connected to God even when things get tough and when our prayers for relief are not immediately obtained.