Jer 2:20-21 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Jer 2:20-21: 2:20-21 Long ago: Lessons from Israel’s history concerning the Israelites’ rescue from slavery in Egypt had little effect, and the people of Israel defiantly refused to serve God (Exod 19:8 ; 34:15 ; Lev 26:13 ; Deut 12:2 ; Josh 24:16 ; Judg 10:16 ; Isa 57:5 , 7 ). • you have prostituted yourselves: This metaphor was especially apt regarding the Israelites’ bowing down to idols . The Israelites backed their defiant words with rebellious behavior. They repeatedly worshiped fertility deities in hopes of good crops and green pastures. Their rituals were useless because the Lord is the one who had planted the Israelites in Canaan, and he creates life and fertility.

a2:20-21►

bExod 19:8►

c34:15►

dLev 26:13►

eDeut 12:2►

fJosh 24:16►

gJudg 10:16►

hIsa 57:5►

i7►

‏ Jeremiah 2:20-21

Summary for Jer 2:20-21: 2:20-21 ^a Long ago: Lessons from Israel’s history concerning the Israelites’ rescue from slavery in Egypt had little effect, and the people of Israel defiantly refused to serve God (Exod 19:8 ^b; 34:15 ^c; Lev 26:13 ^d; Deut 12:2 ^e; Josh 24:16 ^f; Judg 10:16 ^g; Isa 57:5 ^h, 7 ⁱ).

• you have prostituted yourselves: This metaphor was especially apt regarding the Israelites’ bowing down to idols. The Israelites backed their defiant words with rebellious behavior. They repeatedly worshiped fertility deities in hopes of good crops and green pastures. Their rituals were useless because the Lord is the one who had planted the Israelites in Canaan, and he creates life and fertility.