Jeremiah 12 “Is God Truly Righteous?”

Jeremiah 12 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Still – Hillsong Worship
• Way Maker – Leeland
• Goodness of God – Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• “Abram Obeyed God” | Bible Lessons for Kids
• Love God and Everybody Else Music Video – Song for Kids
• God Is Good | Cross Culture Norway VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• I’m Trusting You | Roar VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

Jeremiah reflects on his own situation and brings a question before God. He acknowledges that the Lord always speaks and acts rightly. Yet, when he looks at what is happening to him, he begins to doubt God’s justice. Those who are deceitful and hypocritical seem to prosper in their evil ways, while the Lord allows them to flourish. Meanwhile, Jeremiah—who strives to live righteously according to God’s will—suffers hardship. Moreover, because of the sins of these people, even animals, birds, and plants suffer (vv. 1–4).

In response to Jeremiah’s question, the Lord does not give a direct answer. Instead, He reminds Jeremiah that, just as he faced death threats from the people of Anathoth, he will also face rejection from his own family and relatives (vv. 5–6). What may appear unjust to Jeremiah is fully seen and known by God, who has a plan and purpose behind it all.

Then the Lord, as if speaking in a soliloquy, declares judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. Through the repeated expressions “My house,” “My heritage,” and “My people,” God reveals His deep affection for Judah and Jerusalem (vv. 7–9). Yet the Lord will forsake the people He once loved so dearly and hand them over to foreign nations to be plundered (vv. 10–13).

However, that will not be the end. In due time, the Lord will rescue His people from foreign lands. When that time comes, even the nations that learn the ways of the Lord will be welcomed among His people. But those that refuse will be cast aside after having served as instruments of judgment against Judah (vv. 14–17).

Meditation:

After receiving death threats from the people of his hometown, Jeremiah falls into deep despair. When a believer enters such a spiritual crisis, questions naturally arise about whether God is truly alive. The world feels too unjust and absurd to believe that a God of love and justice is actively present and ruling over it. Those who live by hypocrisy, deceit, and injustice seem to thrive, while those who seek to live righteously and faithfully often suffer hardship. In such a reality, it can seem as though God does not exist—or if He does, He has withdrawn His hand from the world. If an almighty and righteous God truly governs this world, then how can the world remain so unfair? In this anguish, Jeremiah cries out to God for answers.

Yet God does not respond to Jeremiah directly. No words could fully satisfy or explain the situation. Jeremiah’s questions arise from what he sees immediately before him, but God is working with a far greater plan in mind. It is like a novice watching a master play a game of Go (baduk) and asking, “Why would you make that move?” The master can only reply, “Just wait and see,” because the beginner sees only one move ahead, while the master anticipates many.

God’s answer to Jeremiah, therefore, is essentially this: “In time, you will understand.” To believe in God is to trust His goodness and rely on Him with faithfulness, even when we cannot see the full picture. One day, as Scripture promises, “we shall see face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12), and all will become clear.

Prayer:

Lord, we too often ask the same questions as Jeremiah. We want the world to move according to our own standards. Without realizing how narrow and flawed those standards are, we complain and blame You. Please correct our pride. Help us to trust in Your truth and justice and enable us—at the very least—to live truthfully and righteously before You. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Jeremiah struggled to understand why the wicked seemed to prosper while the righteous suffered. God reminded him to trust His larger plan. We, too, are called to trust God’s justice and goodness, even when life doesn’t make sense.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Have you ever felt like something was unfair? What did you do?
  • Why do you think God doesn’t always stop bad things right away?
  • What can we do when we feel sad or confused about what’s happening in the world?
    
• Youth
  • When have you felt like life didn’t make sense or like God was silent? How did that feel?
  • Jeremiah asked hard questions to God—what does that tell you about your own relationship with God?
  • How can trusting God’s bigger plan help you when things don’t go your way (e.g., at school, with friends, or with family)?