Jeremiah 12: An Honest Complaint
GRIPE! GRIPE! NOBODY likes a griper. One of the most surprising things about the Bible is that it faithfully records so many complaints against the Lord by his own people. God could have edited those protests out of the Scriptures, but he listened to them patiently and still lets us read them centuries later.
Warming Up to God
When are you most eager to complain to God, and when are you afraid to complain?
Read Jeremiah 12. »
Discovering the Word
- What irked Jeremiah (vv. 1-4)?
- How did God challenge Jeremiah (vv. 5-6)?
- What explanation did the Lord give for letting his people be trampled on (vv. 7-13)?
- What would be the final fate of those who devoured Israel (vv. 14-17)?
- How would God offer mercy to Israel's enemies (vv. 15-16)?
Applying the Word
- Think of a time you shared Jeremiah's complaint. Perhaps that time is right now. How does this passage shed light on what might be going on behind the scenes?
- What insights has the Lord given you in response to your complaints?
- What have you learned that can help you turn your complaints into praise?
Responding in Prayer
Do not be afraid to honestly tell God how you feel about something unfair, and as you pray, stay open to what he wants to show you through unfair circumstances.
For Further Study
Praying by J. I. Packer & Carolyn Nystrom