1 They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man’s, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.
2 Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.
3 Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore’s forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.
4 Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou [art] the guide of my youth?
5 Will he reserve [his anger] for ever? will he keep [it] to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.
6 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen [that] which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.
7 And I said after she had done all these [things], Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw [it].
8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
9 And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.
10 And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.
11 And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.
12 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; [and] I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I [am] merciful, saith the LORD, [and] I will not keep [anger] for ever.
13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit [it]; neither shall [that] be done any more.
17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.
19 But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.
20 Surely [as] a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD.
21 A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping [and] supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, [and] they have forgotten the LORD their God.
22 Return, ye backsliding children, [and] I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou [art] the LORD our God.
23 Truly in vain [is salvation hoped for] from the hills, [and from] the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God [is] the salvation of Israel.
24 For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters.
25 We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.
Overview of Jeremiah Chapter 3
Jeremiah Chapter 3 addresses the theme of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God and the call for repentance. It uses vivid imagery and metaphors to illustrate the relationship between God and His people, emphasizing the need for restoration and reconciliation.
Key Themes
- Unfaithfulness and Idolatry: The chapter highlights Israel’s infidelity, likening it to a wayward wife who has forsaken her husband.
- Divine Mercy: Despite Israel’s unfaithfulness, God expresses His desire to forgive and restore His people.
- Call to Repentance: The chapter emphasizes the importance of returning to God and abandoning sinful practices.
- Judgment and Hope: While it acknowledges the consequences of sin, it also offers hope for redemption and renewal.
Detailed Analysis
- Verses 1-5: The Allegory of Adultery
These verses open with a striking metaphor comparing Israel’s actions to those of a wife who has committed adultery. God uses this imagery to illustrate the betrayal of Israel, who has turned to other gods. The rhetorical question posed in verse 1 emphasizes the severity of Israel’s infidelity, suggesting that even a divorced woman would not return to her former husband, yet God still seeks reconciliation.
- Verses 6-10: The Northern Kingdom’s Apostasy
In these verses, the focus shifts to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which has already experienced judgment for its idolatry. God points out that despite their sin, they have not returned to Him with sincerity. The mention of Judah’s behavior, which is described as even more treacherous, serves to highlight the pervasive nature of unfaithfulness among God’s people.
- Verses 11-14: God’s Call to Repentance
God expresses His willingness to forgive and restore those who have strayed. The invitation to return is underscored by the promise of healing and restoration. The language used reflects God’s deep desire for a renewed relationship with His people, emphasizing that He is a loving and merciful God.
- Verses 15-18: Promises of Restoration
God promises to provide shepherds who will guide His people with knowledge and understanding. This signifies a future time of restoration where Israel will be united and will worship God in truth. The mention of a new covenant reflects the hope of a transformed relationship between God and His people.
- Verses 19-25: Acknowledgment of Sin and Plea for Mercy
The chapter concludes with a poignant acknowledgment of sin and a plea for mercy. The people are encouraged to confess their wrongdoings and recognize their need for God’s grace. This section encapsulates the essence of repentance, highlighting the importance of humility and recognition of one’s failures before God.
Conclusion
Jeremiah Chapter 3 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of unfaithfulness and the boundless mercy of God. It calls for a sincere return to God, emphasizing that despite past failures, there is always hope for restoration and reconciliation. The chapter encapsulates the dual themes of judgment and grace, urging readers to reflect on their relationship with God and the importance of faithfulness.
