‏ Jeremiah 2

Jeremiah's First Message; The Divine Goodness to Israel.

In this section, God commands Jeremiah to deliver a message to Jerusalem, reminding the people of Israel of God's past kindness and faithfulness. The message also rebukes Israel for turning away from God despite all His goodness. The opening verses focus on God's relationship with Israel in their early days, their special status, and their ingratitude. The commentary highlights how God recalls their devotion, their journey through the wilderness, and the blessings He gave them, but also details their decline into idolatry and neglect of God.

v. 1–2: God tells Jeremiah to go to Jerusalem and cry out His message so everyone will hear. God remembers the “kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown” (Jeremiah 2:2 ^a). God is recalling how Israel, when they first became a nation, followed Him faithfully through the wilderness, trusting Him even though the land was barren. This period is pictured as the “youth” and “honeymoon” of Israel’s relationship with God, a time of close connection and trust. God wants Israel to remember this as well, so they can see how far they have fallen and be moved to return to Him.

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v. 3: Israel was “holiness unto the Lord, and the first-fruits of his increase.” This means that Israel was specially chosen and set apart for God, like the first and best part of a harvest. God protected them, and anyone who tried to harm Israel would suffer consequences, “evil shall come upon them, saith the Lord.” God defended Israel as His own precious people, and would punish those who attacked them. This special protection and honor was a privilege for Israel, but also came with responsibility.

v. 4–5: God now addresses all the families of Israel, challenging them: “What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me?” (Jeremiah 2:5 ^b). God asks if He has ever done anything wrong to deserve being abandoned. He points out that they have left Him, not because of any fault in Him, but because they chose to follow worthless idols, becoming empty themselves. God wants them to admit that there is no good reason for their rebellion. The passage teaches that when people turn away from God, it is not because God has failed, but because they have chosen to go after things that are empty and meaningless (see also Luke 19:22).

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v. 6: The people did not ask, “Where is the Lord that brought us up out of the land of Egypt?” God reminds them how He led them through the wilderness—a land of deserts, pits, drought, and danger—where no one else lived. God protected and provided for them during this difficult journey. But now, they have forgotten God’s help and do not even seek Him. This verse shows God’s disappointment that His people no longer remember or value His saving acts in their history.

v. 7: God says, “I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.” God gave Israel a rich and fruitful land, but instead of being grateful and faithful, they corrupted it with their sins and idolatry. They ruined the special relationship they had with God and defiled the land God had given as a blessing.

v. 8: God points out that even the priests and leaders have failed. “The priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.” Instead of leading the people back to God, the religious leaders have ignored Him and even led the people into worse sin, following false gods and worthless things. This shows that when those in spiritual authority go astray, the whole nation suffers, and people are left far from God.

Expostulations with Israel.

In these verses, God continues to argue with His people about their unfaithfulness. He does this not to destroy them right away but to bring them to repentance. God uses many arguments, showing that even when people have heard about their sins, there is always more that can be said to convince them. God’s method is to reason with people, hoping they will listen and turn back to Him.

v. 9: God says, I will yet plead with you . This means that, before punishing, God gives people a chance to understand and correct their mistakes. He will even argue with their children’s children, showing that this message is for every generation.

v. 10-11: God points out how unusual Israel’s behavior is. Other nations stay loyal to their false gods, even though those gods do nothing for them. But Israel, who serve the true and living God, have changed their God for useless idols (Jeremiah 2:10-11 ^c). This should shame Israel, because even people who worship false gods are more faithful to them than Israel is to the real God.

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v. 12-13: God calls the heavens to be shocked and horrified at Israel’s sins. Be astonished, O you heavens, at this (Jeremiah 2:12-13 ^d). The people have committed two great evils: they have left God, who is the fountain of living waters, and instead tried to find life and happiness in idols, which are like broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Turning away from God only leads to disappointment and emptiness, because only God can truly satisfy.

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Israel’s Unfaithfulness Exposed

This section reveals how Israel turned away from God after He set them free from slavery. The people chose idolatry and sin instead of loyalty to the LORD. Jeremiah uses vivid images to show how deeply Israel has strayed from their covenant with God and how their actions have consequences. The commentary calls out their spiritual adultery and points out that all their efforts to find satisfaction apart from God are in vain.

v. 20: God reminds Israel that He broke their bonds and set them free from slavery in Egypt. But instead of serving Him, they acted like rebellious oxen breaking their yoke and running wild. They refused to obey God and worshipped idols on every high hill and under every green tree. The prophet compares their idol worship to spiritual adultery, showing how Israel has been unfaithful to the LORD who saved them (For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress: when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot,.

v. 21: God says He planted Israel as a noble vine, using the best seed. But instead of growing strong and pure, Israel turned into a wild and corrupt vine. This means that even though God gave them every advantage, they chose the wrong path and became sinful (Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?,.

v. 22: No matter how hard Israel tries to wash away their guilt—using much soap and cleaning agents—their sin is too deep and obvious to God. Their efforts to cover up or remove their sins by themselves are useless. Only God can truly cleanse them (For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD,.

v. 23: God confronts Israel for denying their sin. They claim they have not worshipped Baals, but God reminds them of their actions and how they followed false gods in the valleys. He compares their eagerness for idolatry to a restless young camel running everywhere and a wild donkey in heat, showing how desperately they chased after other gods (How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways,.

v. 24: Like a wild donkey used to the wilderness, Israel cannot be turned back from chasing after idols. Those who seek after sin do not tire; they are passionate and stubborn. The prophet says that no one needs to chase after Israel to make her sin—she goes looking for it herself (A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her,.

v. 25: God warns Israel to stop wearing themselves out running after idols. He says they should not say, "There is no hope," or that they must continue following after strangers. God calls them to turn back before it is too late (Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go,.

v. 26: Israel's leaders and people are compared to a thief caught in the act, ashamed and humiliated. When trouble comes, they are embarrassed, but still do not truly repent (As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets,.

v. 27: The people of Israel turn to idols made of wood and stone and call them their father and creator. Yet when they are in trouble, they turn back to God and ask Him to save them, even though they have ignored Him and worshipped other gods (Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth... but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us,.

v. 28: God challenges Israel to call on their idols for help in times of trouble. Since they have chosen to worship these false gods, let those gods save them now. But God knows that idols are powerless, and only He can deliver them (But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee?... let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble,.

In summary, these verses highlight how Israel abandoned God for idols, despite all He had done for them. God exposes their sin and calls them to recognize that only He can truly help and save them. Their efforts to cover up or remove their sin without turning back to God are useless, and their trust in idols will lead only to shame and disappointment.

Expostulations with Israel

This passage shows the prophet Jeremiah speaking to the people of Israel, calling them to see their sins and repent. God’s message is clear: the people have all broken his laws. Despite God’s punishments, the people did not change. They even killed God’s prophets and acted as if they were their own rulers, refusing to come back to God. Jeremiah reminds them how unfaithful they have been and warns them of the consequences of their stubbornness.

v. 29: God asks, “Why do you argue with me? You have all sinned against me” . It is foolish for them to deny what is true. They all have done wrong, so they cannot claim to be innocent or argue against God’s judgment.

v. 30: God says that his punishments on their children have been useless because the people did not accept correction. Instead, they have killed God’s prophets as if they were wild animals devouring their prey. This shows how hard-hearted and ungrateful they are, refusing to listen even to God’s messengers (2 Chronicles 36:16 ^e).

v. 31: The prophet calls the people to seriously consider God’s words. God has not been a wilderness or a land of darkness to them. He has provided for them and guided them, so they have no excuse to say otherwise. Yet the people proudly say, “We are lords; we will not come back to you”. They reject God’s authority and refuse to depend on him, which is both foolish and sinful.

v. 32: God compares their forgetting him to a bride forgetting her ornaments or a maid her fine clothes. Just as they treasure these things, the people should treasure God. But instead, they have forgotten him for a very long time, neglecting their relationship with him.

v. 33: Because of their sin, they have tried to attract others into their sinful ways. Like a prostitute who tries to attract lovers with her appearance, they have led others into idolatry and sin, making the wicked even more wicked by their example.

v. 34: God accuses them of bearing the guilt of innocent blood. This includes children sacrificed to false gods and the prophets they have killed. Their guilt is obvious and public; they have not tried to hide it, which makes their sin even worse.

v. 35: The people claim they are innocent and expect God’s anger to turn away from them. God responds that he will argue with them because they falsely claim to be without sin. Those who refuse to admit their guilt and repent will face God’s judgment.

v. 36–37: God rebukes them for trusting in other nations instead of him. They keep changing their alliances, hoping for help from Egypt or Assyria, but they will be ashamed and disappointed. Their attempts to find security apart from God will fail, and they will suffer the consequences of rejecting him. Only those who trust in God find true help and peace.