Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 12:13

13 They have sown wheat, but they 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 .

If these words be understood literally, they only signifie, that God would blast the Labours of the Husbandman, and curse them in the field. The Earths bringing forth thorns and thistles was part of the Curse for the first transgression of man: Gen. 3.18. Gods blasting the labours of Husbandmen is often threatned as a punishment of Sin. Vid. Lev. 26.16. Deut· 28.38. if it be taken metaphorically, it is expounded by the next words.

That they should labour in vain, all the works of their hands, all their counsels and deliberations should be of no profit, or avail unto them.

The fierce anger of God against them shall be so shewed, that the returns of their labours or estates, the profits of their Trades, &c. shall be so small that they shall be ashamed of them.

Marginal references: Micah. 6.15. Hag. 1.6.; Or, ye.