They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
They planted wheat, but they will harvest thorns instead. They worked hard and suffered, but it won't do them any good. They will be disappointed by their crops because of the LORD's burning anger.
God is saying that people's hard work will fail and produce nothing good when they face His judgment for their disobedience.
📚 Historical Context
Jeremiah prophesied to the people of Judah during a time of spiritual and moral decline in the 7th-6th century BC, as the nation faced threats from Babylon due to their persistent idolatry and injustice. In this verse, God uses agricultural imagery, sowing wheat but reaping thorns, to warn that their hard work and efforts would prove fruitless because of His anger over their sins. This reflects the broader biblical narrative of divine judgment leading to exile, emphasizing the consequences of turning away from God's covenant.
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