Trusting God's justice
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Why God?
Why God?
Why do the wicked prosper while the faithful suffer? - Jeremiah is crying out in this chapter about that, not from a place of disbelief, but from a heart committed to God and yet troubled by the apparent injustice in the world.
Have you ever questioned God? Do you think it is OK to question God?
Jeremiah’s honesty reminds us that God invites His people to bring their struggles and questions before Him. The Lord’s response in this chapter is both challenging and instructive - He does not not immediately explain the prosperity of the wicked, but instead calls Jeremiah to spiritual endurance.
You will see that when we get to (v.5)
This chapter will go from Jeremiah’s personal lament to God’s own lament over his people. The Lord describes the land as “desolate” and His inheritance as having turned against Him, forewarning judment not only upon Judah but against the surrounding nations. Yet before closing the chapter He gives a glimmer of hope. He speaks of the possibility of a restoration for any nation that will truly listen to His voice that will turn (repent) to Him.
This chapter encourages believers to trust God’s wisdom even when life’s circumstances seem unfair, to endure faithfully through trials, and to remember that God’s justice is both certain and redemptive.
Our Chapter at hand
Our Chapter at hand
1 Righteous are You, O Lord, that I would plead my case with You; Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease? 2 You have planted them, they have also taken root; They grow, they have even produced fruit. You are near to their lips But far from their mind.
3 But You know me, O Lord; You see me; And You examine my heart’s attitude toward You. Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter And set them apart for a day of carnage! 4 How long is the land to mourn And the vegetation of the countryside to wither? For the wickedness of those who dwell in it, Animals and birds have been snatched away, Because men have said, “He will not see our latter ending.”
5 “If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, Then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, How will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? 6 “For even your brothers and the household of your father, Even they have dealt treacherously with you, Even they have cried aloud after you. Do not believe them, although they may say nice things to you.”
7 “I have forsaken My house, I have abandoned My inheritance; I have given the beloved of My soul Into the hand of her enemies. 8 “My inheritance has become to Me Like a lion in the forest; She has roared against Me; Therefore I have come to hate her.
9 “Is My inheritance like a speckled bird of prey to Me? Are the birds of prey against her on every side? Go, gather all the beasts of the field, Bring them to devour! 10 “Many shepherds have ruined My vineyard, They have trampled down My field; They have made My pleasant field A desolate wilderness.
11 “It has been made a desolation, Desolate, it mourns before Me; The whole land has been made desolate, Because no man lays it to heart. 12 “On all the bare heights in the wilderness Destroyers have come, For a sword of the Lord is devouring From one end of the land even to the other; There is no peace for anyone.
13 “They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns, They have strained themselves to no profit. But be ashamed of your harvest Because of the fierce anger of the Lord.” 14 Thus says the Lord concerning all My wicked neighbors who strike at the inheritance with which I have endowed My people Israel, “Behold I am about to uproot them from their land and will uproot the house of Judah from among them.
15 “And it will come about that after I have uprooted them, I will again have compassion on them; and I will bring them back, each one to his inheritance and each one to his land. 16 “Then if they will really learn the ways of My people, to swear by My name, Outli‘As the Lord lives,’ even as they taught My people to swear by Baal, they will be built up in the midst of My people.
17 “But if they will not listen, then I will uproot that nation, uproot and destroy it,” declares the Lord.
Is there anything in particular that sticks out to you in this passage?
Outline of Chapter
Outline of Chapter
Jeremiah’s Complaint (Jer12:1-4)
He acknowledges God’s righteousness but questions why God allows wicked to prosper (v.1)
Wicked speak of God, yet hearts are far from Him (v.2)
Jeremiah contrasts his faithfulness with the unrighteousness (v.3)
Jeremiah laments and asks how long will this last (v.4)?
Jeremiah’s complaint is rooted in his deep sense of justice and his deep personal relationship with God.
The prosperity of the wicked is temporary, but it can feel overwhelming to the faithful.
Jeremiah’s question reflects a universal human struggle, seen also in other places such as Ps73, and also in Job.
Application: Trust in God’s justice, when we see injustice, know that God sees and knows and will act in His timing and in His way. We need to persevere in faith, like Jeremiah we may feel isolated in our faithfulness, but we are called to remain steadfast, knowing God knows our hearts and He will protect us through the storms of life.
God’s response: A call to perseverance Jer12:5-6
God responds to Jeremiah’s complain with a challenge- if you have grown weary running with man on foot, how can you compete with horses?
God warns Jeremiah that even his own family has betrayed him, urging caution (v.6)
He is warning Jeremiah to get a divine perspective for tougher times ahead, indicating that the prophet’s trials are part of his training.
Application: When life feels overwhelming, God may be preparing us for greater challenges, building our spiritual resilience (endurance). We must be wise about trusting others, even those close to us, when standing for God’s truth. Instead of fixating on others’ success or injustice, we should focus on faithfully fulfilling Gods purpose for our lives.
God’s judgment on Judah (Jer12:7-13)
God expresses His grief over abandoning His people, described as His “house,” “inheritance,” and “beloved” (v.7).
Judah has turned against God like a lion, prompting His judgment (v.8)
The lang is ravaged by “shepherds” (the leaders or foreign invaders), and God’s vineyard is destroyed (vv.10-11).
The “sword of the Lord” bring desolation, with no peace for anyone (vv.12-13).
God’s love for His people makes their rebellion and the resulting judgment deeply painful for Him. The imagery of a ruined vineyard and desolate land shows the ripple effects of sin on community and creation. Then, the sword of the Lord, emphasizes that God Himself is the source of judgment ensuring its certainty.
Application:
Repentance and Obedience- Examine your life for any area of rebellion and turn back to God to avoid the consequences of sin.
God’s heart for His people - Know God grieves over sin can deepen our appreciation for His love and motivate us to live faithfully.
Community Responsibility - This passage challenges us to consider how our actions affect our community, and to work for justice and righteousness collectively.
God’s promise of judgment and restoration (Jer12:14-17)
God announces judgment on Judah’s wicked neighbors (v.14)
God promises to uproot these neighbors, but also to restore them if they return to Him and learn His ways (vv.15-16)
Well, they do not learn, they continually rebel and they will be destroyed (v.17)
God’s justice is not impartial, applying it to all nations, not just His chosen people.
The promise of restoration reflects God’s desire for reconciliation and redemption, even for those who have opposed Him.
The condition of learning God’s ways highlights the importance of obedience and transformation.
Application:
Hope in God’s mercy: No matter how far we or others have strayed, God offers restoration to those who turn (repent) to Him.
Evangelistic Call: The inclusion of the nations challenges us to share God’s truth with others, trusting in His redemptive plan for all people.
Living God’s way: We are called to align our lives with God’s standards, modeling His truth to those around us.
Got time for discussion?
Got time for discussion?
How do you relate to Jeremiah’s frustration about the prosperity of the wicked? How can we trust God’s justice in similar situations?
What does God’s response to Jeremiah teach us about handling trials and staying faithful to our calling?
In what ways can we model God’s heart for restoration in our relationships and communities?
Action Applications
Action Applications
Like Jeremiah bring your doubts and frustrations to God in honest prayer, trusting Him and His righteousness.
Persevere through trials, know God is preparing you for His purposes
Take time for personal examination to see if you may be straying from God’s way and seek repentance.
Your impact does not just impact you, it impacts others. work for justice and stewardship in your community. Your actions matter.
Support and encourage those who face opposition for their faithfulness, as Jeremiah did.
Trust in God’s sovereign plan, praying for and sharing the gospel with those who do not yet know Him.
Advocate for justice and mercy in the world, reflecting God’s heart for restoration.
Conclusion: In this chapter we have seen that the prophet struggles with God’s justice. God’s call to perseverance, and the consequences of sin, and the hope of restoration. It challenges us to trust in God’s sovereignty, to remain faithful in trials, and to reflect His heart for justice and mercy.
Encouragement: Like Jeremiah, we may face moments of doubt or opposition, but God sees our hearts, equips us for our calling, and offers hope for our restoration. Let bring our questions to Him, trust His plan and live faithfully as His people, the sheep of His pasture.
