Jeremiah 12:2 - You have planted them. Yes, they have taken root. They grow. Yes, they produce fruit. You are near in their mouth, and far from their heart.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Jeremiah 12:2" mean?
Jeremiah 12:2 is a powerful and cynical statement about the wicked prospering while being hypocritical in their faith. Let's break it down:
"You have planted them. Yes, they have taken root.": This refers to God allowing the wicked to flourish. They are not flourishing on their own, but by God's permissive will. "Planted" and "taken root" imply a firm establishment and growth.
"They grow. Yes, they produce fruit.": This continues the agricultural metaphor, emphasizing that the wicked are not just surviving, but thriving. They are successful and outwardly prosperous. They are producing what looks like good fruit, the outward signs of success.
"You are near in their mouth, and far from their heart.": This is the crux of the problem. The wicked profess God with their words ("near in their mouth"), but their hearts are far from Him. They may use religious language, attend religious services, or make outward displays of piety, but it's all superficial. Their actions and true desires are not aligned with God's will. They lack genuine devotion, sincerity, and commitment. It is a matter of outward appearance masking inner corruption.
In essence, the verse is a complaint or observation about hypocrisy and injustice. Jeremiah is questioning why God allows the wicked, those who are only outwardly religious, to prosper while the righteous often suffer. It suggests that outward displays of faith are meaningless without genuine inner devotion and a life lived according to God's will.
The verse highlights the following themes:
The problem of evil and suffering: Why do the wicked prosper?
The importance of inner sincerity: True faith is more than just words.
Hypocrisy: The disconnect between outward profession and inward reality.
God's sovereignty: God allows even the wicked to prosper, though the reasons are not always clear.
The verse is a challenging reminder that outward success and religious observance are not necessarily indicators of righteousness or closeness to God. It encourages introspection and a genuine commitment to God's will in both word and deed.
Jeremiah 12:2 - You have planted them. Yes, they have taken root. They grow. Yes, they produce fruit. You are near in their mouth, and far from their heart.
What does "Jeremiah 12:2" mean?
Jeremiah 12:2 is a powerful and cynical statement about the wicked prospering while being hypocritical in their faith. Let's break it down:
"You have planted them. Yes, they have taken root.": This refers to God allowing the wicked to flourish. They are not flourishing on their own, but by God's permissive will. "Planted" and "taken root" imply a firm establishment and growth.
"They grow. Yes, they produce fruit.": This continues the agricultural metaphor, emphasizing that the wicked are not just surviving, but thriving. They are successful and outwardly prosperous. They are producing what looks like good fruit, the outward signs of success.
"You are near in their mouth, and far from their heart.": This is the crux of the problem. The wicked profess God with their words ("near in their mouth"), but their hearts are far from Him. They may use religious language, attend religious services, or make outward displays of piety, but it's all superficial. Their actions and true desires are not aligned with God's will. They lack genuine devotion, sincerity, and commitment. It is a matter of outward appearance masking inner corruption.
In essence, the verse is a complaint or observation about hypocrisy and injustice. Jeremiah is questioning why God allows the wicked, those who are only outwardly religious, to prosper while the righteous often suffer. It suggests that outward displays of faith are meaningless without genuine inner devotion and a life lived according to God's will.
The verse highlights the following themes:
The problem of evil and suffering: Why do the wicked prosper?
The importance of inner sincerity: True faith is more than just words.
Hypocrisy: The disconnect between outward profession and inward reality.
God's sovereignty: God allows even the wicked to prosper, though the reasons are not always clear.
The verse is a challenging reminder that outward success and religious observance are not necessarily indicators of righteousness or closeness to God. It encourages introspection and a genuine commitment to God's will in both word and deed.