Jeremiah’s Second Confession (Jeremiah 12:1–6)

The Text: Jeremiah 12:1–6

1 You will be in the right, O LORD, when I lay charges against you; but let me put my case to you. Why does the way of the guilty prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
2 You plant them, and they take root; they grow and bring forth fruit; you are near in their mouths yet far from their hearts.
3 But you, O LORD, know me; You see me and test me — my heart is with you. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter.
4 How long will the land mourn, and the grass of every field wither? For the wickedness of those who live in it the animals and the birds are swept away, and because people said, “He is blind to our ways.”
5 If you have raced with foot-runners and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you fall down, how will you fare in the thickets of the Jordan?
6 For even your kinsfolk and your own family, even they have dealt treacherously with you; they are in full cry after you; do not believe them, though they speak friendly words to you.

Introduction

Jeremiah’s second confession is a profound dialogue between the prophet and God. This passage reveals Jeremiah’s struggle with the apparent contradiction between God’s justice and the prospering of the wicked in Judah. Known as one of Jeremiah’s “confessions” or “laments,” this text provides insight into the prophet’s internal spiritual journey while serving as God’s messenger during a tumultuous period in Israel’s history.

This confession is characterized by Jeremiah’s boldness in questioning God’s justice, his frustration with the prosperity of the wicked, and God’s challenging response that prepares the prophet for more significant difficulties ahead. The passage provides a window into the personal cost of prophetic ministry and demonstrates the intimate, though sometimes difficult, relationship between God and His prophets.

Jeremiah 12:1-6 occurs in the context of his increasing frustration with Judah’s moral and spiritual decay. The passage follows a series of warnings to the people (Jeremiah 11) and reveals the personal cost of his ministry, as even his own family plotted against him. This background is essential to understanding the depth of Jeremiah’s complaint and God’s response.

Historical Background

Jeremiah prophesied during one of the most tumultuous periods in Judah’s history, spanning the reigns of five kings from approximately 627-587 BCE. His ministry began during King Josiah’s reign, a period of religious reform, but extended through Judah’s decline, the Babylonian siege, and ultimately Jerusalem’s fall.

The immediate context of this second confession likely places it during the later years of Josiah’s reign or the early years of Jehoiakim’s rule (c. 609-605 BCE). Despite Josiah’s religious reforms, many in Judah, particularly among the elite and religious leadership, maintained a superficial adherence to the covenant. Corruption, social injustice, and idolatry remained prevalent.

Jeremiah’s message of coming judgment made him deeply unpopular. He faced opposition from various quarters, including the religious establishment in Jerusalem, whose practices he condemned, the political leaders who saw his prophecies of Babylonian victory as treasonous, and his own townspeople in Anathoth.

The threats from his hometown of Anathoth provide the immediate backdrop for this confession. Jeremiah had just received divine protection from a plot against his life (11:18-23). Still, this experience likely prompted his more profound questions about divine justice and the prosperity of those who rejected God’s covenant.

Jeremiah’s Second Confession, Jeremiah 12:1-6

1. Jeremiah’s Lament

Jeremiah 12:1: “You will be in the right, O LORD, when I lay charges against you; but let me put my case to you. Why does the way of the guilty prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?”

Jeremiah begins by formally acknowledging God’s righteousness, employing a legal metaphor by laying a charge against God. The Hebrew word indicates that Jeremiah is bringing a legal case before God. This format reflects the covenant lawsuit format found elsewhere in prophetic literature. The prophet affirms God’s justice before proceeding to question how this justice operates in the specific circumstances he observes.

Jeremiah’s troubling “why” echoes the psalmist’s question (Psalm 73) and Job’s complaints. The issue is a question of God’s justice: why do the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer?

This verse reveals Jeremiah’s wrestling with life’s inconsistencies rather than a lack of faith. He maintains God’s ultimate righteousness while honestly expressing his confusion about how divine justice appears to operate in the immediate circumstances-that is, why the wicked seem to thrive while the righteous suffer. This reflects the struggle of many believers who witness injustice and question God’s justice.

Jeremiah 12:2: “You plant them, and they take root; they grow and bring forth fruit; you are near in their mouths yet far from their hearts.”

Continuing his complaint, Jeremiah employs agricultural metaphors that would resonate in an agrarian society. The image of being “planted” and “taking root” suggests divine establishment and permanence for these wicked individuals. The prophet observes that they appear to enjoy God’s blessing (“produce fruit”) despite their hypocrisy.

The second half of the verse cuts to the heart of Jeremiah’s complaint: these individuals maintain religious language (“near in their mouth”) while their hearts remain distant from God. This contradiction especially troubles the prophet who has authentically committed to God’s service.

2. Jeremiah’s Prayer

Jeremiah 12:3: “But you, O LORD, know me; You see me and test me — my heart is with you. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter.”

Jeremiah contrasts his transparency before God with the hypocrisy of his opponents. The Hebrew term for “know” implies intimate knowledge and a personal relationship with God. Jeremiah claims that unlike the wicked, whose hearts are far from God, his heart has been “tested” and found faithful.

The second half of the verse shifts dramatically as Jeremiah calls for judgment against his enemies. The imagery used is stark-“pull them out like sheep for slaughter”-illustrating both Jeremiah’s frustration and his request for divine intervention.

Jeremiah contrasts himself with the wicked, asserting his sincerity and faithfulness to God. His plea for judgment upon the wicked echoes the psalms of lament, expressing his deep frustration and desire for divine intervention.

Jeremiah 12:4; “How long will the land mourn, and the grass of every field wither? For the wickedness of those who live in it the animals and the birds are swept away, and because people said, “He is blind to our ways.”

Jeremiah broadens his complaint beyond personal injustice to the ecological consequences of wickedness. The “mourning” land reflects a covenant theology where human sin affects the natural order. The expression “mourn” personifies the land as sharing in the suffering caused by human wickedness.

The prophet connects environmental devastation (possibly a drought) with human moral failure. The final phrase (“He will not see our latter end”) reveals the arrogant assumption of the wicked that they can escape divine accountability.

3. God’s Response to Jeremiah

Jeremiah 12:5: “If you have raced with foot-runners and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you fall down, how will you fare in the thickets of the Jordan?”

God responds to Jeremiah with challenging rhetorical questions rather than directly answering his justice complaints. The racing metaphor suggests that Jeremiah’s current difficulties are merely preliminary challenges. If he finds these overwhelming (“they have wearied you”), how will he handle the more significant trials to come?

“The thicket of the Jordan” refers to the dense, dangerous vegetation along the Jordan River valley, known to harbor lions and other threats. The contrast with “safe land” emphasizes the escalating challenges Jeremiah will face.

Jeremiah 12:6: “For even your kinsfolk and your own family, even they have dealt treacherously with you; they are in full cry after you; do not believe them, though they speak friendly words to you.”

God warns Jeremiah that even his family has betrayed him, reinforcing the prophet’s isolation. This revelation underscores the cost of faithfulness and the personal suffering that comes with obedience to God’s call.

The phrase “in full cry after you” employs hunting imagery, suggesting his relatives actively pursue his downfall. The warning against believing their “friendly words” reveals their deception and the complete isolation Jeremiah experiences in his prophetic calling.

This verse explains God’s challenging response in verse 5-Jeremiah must develop greater spiritual endurance because the challenges to his ministry will intensify, not diminish.

Application of the Confession to Pastoral Ministry

Jeremiah’s second confession offers several profound insights for contemporary pastoral ministry:

Authentic Spiritual Wrestling

Jeremiah models an honest relationship with God that includes questioning, doubt, and even complaint. This confession legitimizes spiritual struggle as part of faithful ministry. Ministers should recognize that doubt does not necessarily indicate weak faith but can be part of a maturing faith journey

Perseverance Amid Opposition

God’s response to Jeremiah emphasizes the need for spiritual endurance. Modern ministry often requires similar perseverance. Ministers should recognize that opposition, even from unexpected sources, is a normal part of faithful ministry.

Dealing with the Problem of Evil

Like Jeremiah, pastors and spiritual leaders often struggle with the apparent success of the wicked. This passage reminds them that justice ultimately belongs to God, even when it seems delayed.

The Cost of Faithfulness

Jeremiah’s experience highlights the personal sacrifices that come with serving God. Ministry can be lonely and challenging, but God calls His servants to perseverance.

Conclusion

Jeremiah’s second confession ultimately challenges and comforts those in pastoral ministry. It validates the difficulty of faithful witness while assuring that God remains present and engaged even amid apparent injustice and opposition. The confession invites pastoral leaders to embrace both the cost and the privilege of prophetic ministry in complex times.

Claude Mariottini
Emeritus Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

If you enjoyed reading this post, you will enjoy reading my books.

VISIT MY AMAZON AUTHOR’S PAGE

BUY MY BOOKS ON AMAZON (Click here).

NOTE: Did you like this post? Do you think other people would like to read this post? Be sure to share this post on Facebook and share a link on X so that others may enjoy reading it too!

If you are looking for other series of studies on the Old Testament, visit the Archive section and you will find many studies that deal with a variety of Old Testament topics.