1 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
2 Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, 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.
3 Israel [was] holiness unto the LORD, [and] the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.
4 Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:
5 Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
6 Neither said they, Where [is] the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?
7 And 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.
8 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.
9 Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children’s children will I plead.
10 For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see; and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing.
11 Hath a nation changed [their] gods, which [are] yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for [that which] doth not profit.
12 Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.
13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, [and] hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
14 [Is] Israel a servant? [is] he a homeborn [slave]? why is he spoiled?
15 The young lions roared upon him, [and] yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.
16 Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head.
17 Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?
18 And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?
19 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that [it is] an evil [thing] and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear [is] not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
20 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.
21 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?
22 For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, [yet] thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
23 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;
24 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.
25 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.
26 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,
27 Saying to a stock, Thou [art] my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned [their] back unto me, and not [their] face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
28 But where [are] thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for [according to] the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.
29 Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD.
30 In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.
31 O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?
32 Can a maid forget her ornaments, [or] a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.
33 Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.
34 Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.
35 Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.
36 Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.
37 Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.
Overview of Jeremiah Chapter 2
Jeremiah Chapter 2 serves as a powerful indictment of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. The chapter opens with a call to remember the early days of Israel’s relationship with the Lord, highlighting their initial devotion and the subsequent decline into idolatry and disobedience. This chapter illustrates the consequences of turning away from God and emphasizes the need for repentance and a return to faithfulness.
The Call to Remember
The chapter begins with God speaking through Jeremiah, urging Israel to recall the days of their youth when they were devoted to Him. This call to remembrance serves several purposes:
- To remind Israel of their covenant relationship with God.
- To highlight the contrast between their past faithfulness and present disobedience.
- To provoke reflection on their spiritual decline.
Israel’s Unfaithfulness
As the chapter progresses, God expresses His disappointment with Israel’s abandonment of Him. Key points include:
- Israel’s forsaking of God, who is described as the fountain of living waters.
- The choice to dig their own broken cisterns, symbolizing their reliance on false gods and idols.
- The consequences of their actions, including spiritual drought and desolation.
God’s Grievance Against Israel
God articulates specific grievances against Israel, which can be summarized as follows:
- They have exchanged their glory for worthless idols.
- They have failed to acknowledge God’s provision and protection.
- They have engaged in practices that lead to moral and spiritual corruption.
The Consequences of Idolatry
Jeremiah emphasizes the dire consequences of Israel’s idolatry and disobedience. These consequences include:
- Loss of identity as God’s chosen people.
- Experiencing the wrath of God due to their unfaithfulness.
- Facing judgment from neighboring nations as a result of their rebellion.
The Call to Repentance
Throughout the chapter, there is an underlying call to repentance. God desires Israel to return to Him and restore their broken relationship. This call includes:
- A recognition of their sin and the need for change.
- A return to the worship of the one true God.
- A commitment to forsake idols and false practices.
Conclusion
Jeremiah Chapter 2 serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of spiritual complacency and the importance of remaining faithful to God. The chapter’s themes of remembrance, unfaithfulness, consequences, and repentance resonate throughout the text, urging readers to reflect on their own relationship with God and the need for continual faithfulness.
