a2:1-13
b2:2
cHos 2:2-19
dIsa 54:6-8
e62:5
fRev 19:7
g21:2
iExod 19:8
j24:7
lDeut 5:27
mEzek 16:8
nDeut 5:29
o2:3
pExod 19:5-6
qLev 19
r22:31-33
sExod 23:16
u34:22
wLev 2:12
y23:10
abNum 18:12
ac28:26
adDeut 18:4
ae26:10
afZech 14:20
ajDeut 4:25-28

‏ Jeremiah 2:1-8

Summary for Jer 2:1-13: 2:1-13  a Jeremiah used images of marriage, infidelity, and divorce to represent Judah’s spiritual apostasy.
2:2  b This is what the Lord says: This and similar statements were equivalent to an official seal or a stamp of authority on a document. In many inscriptions of royal messages from the ancient Near East, the ruler stated that the message came from him and carried his authority.

• The image of Israel as a bride had been used since the days of Hosea (about 760–722 BC; Hos 2:2-19  c; see also Isa 54:6-8  d; 62:5  e). The concept is later applied to the redeemed community in heaven (Rev 19:7  f; 21:2  g, 9  h).

• long ago: Following the exodus from Egypt, the Israelites were symbolically married to God when they agreed to a covenant relationship (Exod 19:8  i; 24:7  j, 8  k; Deut 5:27  l; Ezek 16:8  m).

• eager ... to please (Hebrew khesed): The Israelites made a commitment of loyalty to the covenant Lord (see Deut 5:29  n).
2:3  o Israel was holy because the Lord had separated her from other nations to be his special people and reflect his character (Exod 19:5-6  p; Lev 19  q; 22:31-33  r).

• first of his children: Literally the firstfruits of his harvest. Mosaic law required the people to offer the first portion of every harvest to the Lord (Exod 23:16  s, 19  t; 34:22  u, 26  v; Lev 2:12  w, 14  x; 23:10  y, 17  z, 20  aa; Num 18:12  ab; 28:26  ac; Deut 18:4  ad; 26:10  ae; Zech 14:20  af). The people who made the covenant with God at Mount Sinai pledged their full commitment to the one true God. In return, the Lord protected them and punished their enemies during their journey to Canaan.
2:5  ag The Israelites worshiped worthless idols, so their lives were ruled by delusions.
2:6  ah By not seeking the Lord, Israel’s ancestors showed that they had lost interest in their history. To them, the God of Israel was a delusion. They were only interested in the sensual excitement of the moment.
2:7  ai defiled ... corrupted: See Deut 4:25-28  aj.
2:8  ak Instead of teaching the people about the Lord, the leaders taught them about Baal.
Copyright information for TNotes