John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 12:10

"Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness." — Jeremiah 12:10 (ASV)

He explains by another comparison what we have just observed; he calls those pastors or shepherds whom he had previously compared to wild beasts. For by saying, Come ye, all the wild beasts of the wood, he doubtless meant the same as those of whom he now speaks; and yet he calls them pastors.

But he touched the Jews to the quick, for they could not bear him fulfilling the office of a pastor toward them. God ought to have been the pastor of His chosen people; but they were wild beasts. Forsaken them have I, he says, for they were wholly unworthy.

What then? Other pastors will come, but those of a very different character, being fiercer and more cruel than wolves or any savage wild beasts. Though the Prophet blends various comparisons, we still see that he handles the same subject; we also see why he thus changes his expressions, for there is a meaning in every word he uses.

It is indeed certain that those also are called pastors who would come as leaders or chiefs from Assyria and Chaldea; but undoubtedly there is an implied antithesis here, such as I have referred to, as though he had said, I have until now been a shepherd to you, and was willing to continue to be so perpetually; but as you can no longer bear me, other shepherds will come, who will treat you according to their own will and disposition.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, that as You have not only been pleased to offer Yourself to be our Shepherd, but have also set over us Your only-begotten Son, that He might gather us into His own fold, and as He sweetly invites us daily by His voice to continue gathered under His power and government — O grant that we may allow ourselves to be governed by Him, and never be like wild and untamable beasts, but so obey His voice, that wherever He may call us we may be ready to follow, and thus proceed through the whole course of our life, until we finally reach the goal which is set before us, and be then led to the fruition of that eternal inheritance and glory which Your only-begotten Son has obtained for us by His own blood. — Amen.

[Exposition continues from previous day's lecture]

We began yesterday to explain the Prophet's declaration that the Jews would be laid waste by shepherds.

We said that this expression contains an irony. They ought to have allowed themselves to be governed by God, who was willing to fulfill toward them the office of a shepherd. But as they had refused to receive such a favor, they deserved to be given over by God to the Assyrians and Chaldeans, who are also called shepherds.

However, as mention is made of a vineyard, the Prophet alludes to the shepherds of sheep or cattle, for when anyone brings his herd or flock into a vineyard, it causes no small harm.

Thus, this allusion is also appropriate. However this may be, the Prophet intimates that as they would not bear the yoke of God, such shepherds would come as they deserved.

He again repeats what we have previously observed: that this people had not only been God’s vineyard, כרם carem, but also His portion or His heritage, and even a portion of desire.

For God intended that it should be often testified that He had omitted no bounty toward the Jews, so that their ingratitude might appear less excusable.

Since God, then, had manifested so much love toward them as to call them the desire of His soul and a desirable heritage, what wickedness it was for them not to acknowledge such incomparable kindness?