Jeremiah 2:1-13
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.
2:9 al Therefore often indicates that the Lord was about to issue a decree (e.g., 5:14 am; 6:21 an).
• The Hebrew word translated bring my case can mean “strive” or “contend.” In addition, it might indicate combat, as in a fight or a battle, a verbal quarrel, or a legal argument in court. Because the leaders of the nation (2:8 ao) failed to direct the people to him, the Lord was going to present his case against them. He was setting up a court in which he would be the plaintiff and the all-powerful Judge (Ezek 20:35 ap, 36 aq; Mic 6:2 ar). Jeremiah was a messenger, prosecutor, and advocate for the plaintiff.
2:10 as Kedar, an Arabic tribe descended from Ishmael, lived in the desert area east of the Jordan River Valley (see 49:28-33 at; Isa 21:16 au).
2:11 av No pagan nation traded its gods for those of another nation. Although the pagan nations generally worshiped the same nature deities (by different names), each nation essentially remained loyal to its own gods. Israel’s disloyalty is thus highlighted.
2:12 aw The heavens and the earth are often portrayed as witnesses to events among humans (see 51:48 ax; Deut 32:1 ay, 43 az; 1 Chr 16:31 ba; Ps 96:11 bb; Isa 1:2 bc; 44:23 bd; 49:13 be).
2:13 bf The Israelites foolishly did two evil things: They abandoned the Lord, their true source of life, and they began to worship false gods that could not help them.
• A fountain of living [i.e., running] water that flows throughout the year, even in drought, is a rare treasure (Ps 36:9 bg; John 4:14 bh).
• The cisterns the Israelites dug after they entered Canaan were holes in the ground that were lined with plaster. These crude tanks collected water that drained from roofs in wet weather and provided water through the dry summers. The water could become putrid and dangerous to drink, and the plaster often cracked, letting the water drain out.
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