Jeremiah 12:14,15 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Thus saith the Lord, against, or concerning, all mine evil neighbours By these are meant the Moabites, Ammonites, Idumeans, and Philistines; against whom Jeremiah prophesies, chap. 47., 48., 49.; and Ezekiel, chap. 25. These are called evil neighbours, because of the spite and ill-will which they showed toward the Jews on all occasions: that touch the inheritance, &c. Who lie near to, and border upon, Judea: Behold, I will pluck them out, &c. These people were accordingly wasted and spoiled, and part of them carried into captivity by the Babylonians. And pluck out the house of Judah, &c. Many of the Jews were carried captive, or went for safety into those neighbouring countries, before the general Babylonish captivity, Jeremiah 15:4; Jeremiah 11:11. Of these Jews some were carried captive, together with the natives of those countries, by the Chaldeans afterward: others went down into Egypt. See chap. 43., 44. Here is foretold the restoration of the Jews from their several dispersions. Compare Jeremiah 32:37; Ezekiel 28:25-26. This promise was partly fulfilled in the time succeeding the Babylonish captivity, Psalms 147:2; but will be more fully accomplished at the final restoration of that nation, when the fulness of the Gentiles will likewise be brought into the church, which is foretold in the words of the next verse. And after that I have plucked them out In justice for the punishment of their sins, and in jealousy for the honour of Israel; I will return Will change my way, and have compassion on them Though, as being heathen, they can lay no claim to the mercies of the covenant made with Abraham and his seed, yet they shall have benefit by the compassions of the Creator, who will look upon them as the work of his hands. And will bring them again every man to his heritage Thus, after Jeremiah had threatened severe judgments upon several countries, he concludes with a general promise of their return from their captivity in the latter days; which promise probably relates chiefly to their conversion under the gospel.