12:1 let me speak my claims with you Like Job, Jeremiah requests a legal hearing for his grievances. Compare Job 13:3.

Why does the way of the wicked succeed? Jeremiah has been announcing God’s judgment on Judah, yet the judgment has not come, and injustice and oppression continue.

12:2 do you plant them Jeremiah both accuses Yahweh of supporting hypocrites and acknowledges His ultimate sovereignty over all things, making Him responsible even for the wicked person’s success. Compare Psa 73:3.

are near in their mouths Compare Isa 29:13. The people outwardly acknowledge Yahweh as the source of their prosperity, but they are insincere.

12:3 and you test that my heart is with you By asking Yahweh to test him, Jeremiah is setting himself up as the righteous sufferer in contrast with the prosperous wicked (Jer 12:1).

Tear them apart like sheep The prophet asks Yahweh to set things right and punish the wicked.

12:5 how will you compete with horses Yahweh’s response to Jeremiah’s complaint offers little consolation. With two analogies, Yahweh emphasizes that Jeremiah’s suffering has only begun. With the worst yet to come, he needs to prepare himself for more and stop complaining about what has already occurred. Both analogies raise the level of exertion or awareness needed to survive.

12:6 your relatives, and the house of your father The lament in 11:18–23 alludes to an attempt on Jeremiah’s life originating with the people of Anathoth, his hometown. Yahweh’s reference to treachery on the part of his own family may be connected to that earlier attempt.

they speak kindly to you Yahweh tells Jeremiah that his family is opposing him, and that opposition may be expressed either in outward hostility or through gentle persuasion. Either way, their goals are opposed to what Yahweh has called Jeremiah to do.

12:7 my inheritance The core sense of the term here is inalienable, permanent possession, so abandoning that heritage is a major loss. See note on Ezek 36:12.

12:8 I hate her Conveys rejection because of unreciprocated love (see Gen 29:31). Compare Hos 9:15.

12:10 shepherds The metaphor of the shepherds could point to the failure of Judah’s leaders (see Jer 10:21 and note) or the invasion of Babylon (see 6:3 and note).

12:12 the sword of Yahweh The invaders are Yahweh’s agents for judgment. Compare Isa 10:5–6.

12:13 they have reaped thorns Refers to the loss of crops to invaders. Judah did all the work, but the invaders will consume the harvest.

12:15 I will once again have compassion on Pronouncements of Yahweh’s judgment are often followed by reminders of His mercy and compassion (see Deut 30:3; Isa 40:1–2; Ezek 11:16–17).

12:16 they diligently learn the ways of my people Salvation is offered to the nations if they will acknowledge Yahweh’s sovereignty. Compare Isa 2:2–3.