Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 12:4

4 How long shall the land mourn and the herbs of every field wither? For the wickedness of them that dwell therein ? The beasts are consumed, and the birds, because they said, He shall not see our last end .

The Prophet seems to give a reason of his former passion, and prayer against those wicked men he before reflected on, because they were the cause of the Nations Ruine, which is also asserted by the Psalmist, Psal. 107.34. A land is said to mourn metaphorically when it is brought to an ill complexion, and looketh unpleasantly, the grass and green Herbs in it being destroyed by Enemies, or Drought or Vermine.

Nay the effects of their wicked courses reached to the very Beasts and Birds, because they were so presumptuous as to conclude, that they should do well enough, neither the Prophet nor any other should [illegible: 1 letter]ee their last end.

Marginal references: chap. 4.25. & 7.20. & 9.10.