Jeremiah 2

In Jeremiah 2, God speaks to the people of Israel, expressing disappointment over their unfaithfulness and spiritual betrayal. He recalls Israel's initial devotion and love for Him during the Exodus and their journey through the wilderness. However, Israel has since abandoned God, turning to worthless idols and forsaking the blessings He provided. This chapter serves as an indictment of Israel’s idolatry and disobedience, highlighting the consequences of their actions and God’s sorrow over their departure from Him.

Jeremiah 2:1-10 (NKJV)
1 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
2 “Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, In a land not sown.
3 Israel was holiness to the Lord, The firstfruits of His increase. All that devour him will offend; Disaster will come upon them,” says the Lord.’”
4 Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel.
5 Thus says the Lord: “What injustice have your fathers found in Me, That they have gone far from Me, Have followed idols, And have become idolaters?
6 Neither did they say, ‘Where is the Lord, Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, Who led us through the wilderness, Through a land of deserts and pits, Through a land of drought and the shadow of death, Through a land that no one crossed And where no one dwelt?’
7 I brought you into a bountiful country, To eat its fruit and its goodness. But when you entered, you defiled My land And made My heritage an abomination.
8 The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me; The prophets prophesied by Baal, And walked after things that do not profit.
9 “Therefore I will yet bring charges against you,” says the Lord, “And against your children’s children I will bring charges.
10 For pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see, Send to Kedar and consider diligently, And see if there has been such a thing.

In these verses, God reminds Israel of their past, when they were dedicated and faithful to Him. Israel is described as His “firstfruits,” special and set apart for God. However, they have turned away, seeking idols and abandoning their relationship with Him. God questions Israel’s disobedience, pointing out that He led them safely through the wilderness and brought them into a fertile land, only for them to defile it. Even the leaders, priests, and prophets have ignored God, following Baal instead. God’s sorrow is evident as He prepares to hold Israel accountable for their continued unfaithfulness.

Jeremiah 2:11-13 (NKJV)
11 Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory For what does not profit.
12 Be astonished, O heavens, at this, And be horribly afraid; Be very desolate,” says the Lord.
13 “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.

God highlights the absurdity of Israel abandoning Him, unlike other nations who remain loyal to their gods. Israel has exchanged the true “Glory” of God for worthless idols. The heavens themselves are called to witness this astonishing betrayal. Israel’s two main sins are forsaking God, the “fountain of living waters,” and choosing broken cisterns (false idols) that cannot sustain or provide life. This imagery emphasizes the futility and emptiness of their idolatry.

Jeremiah 2:14-19 (NKJV)
14 “Is Israel a servant? Is he a homeborn slave? Why is he plundered?
15 The young lions roared at him, and growled; They made his land waste; His cities are burned, without inhabitant.
16 Also the people of Noph and Tahpanhes Have broken the crown of your head.
17 Have you not brought this on yourself, In that you have forsaken the Lord your God When He led you in the way?
18 And now why take the road to Egypt, To drink the waters of Sihor? Or why take the road to Assyria, To drink the waters of the River?
19 Your own wickedness will correct you, And your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing That you have forsaken the Lord your God, And the fear of Me is not in you,” Says the Lord God of hosts.

Israel’s downfall is portrayed as a consequence of their choices, not an accident. Once protected, Israel is now vulnerable and devastated by foreign powers. Their alliances with Egypt and Assyria symbolize misplaced trust, as they seek help from others rather than God. God warns that their disobedience will have natural consequences, and that their troubles are a result of forsaking Him. This serves as a call for Israel to recognize the bitterness of turning away from God and to fear and respect Him once more.

Jeremiah 2:20-25 (NKJV)
20 “For of old I have broken your yoke and burst your bonds; And you said, ‘I will not transgress,’ When on every high hill and under every green tree You lay down, playing the harlot.
21 Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me Into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?
22 For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, Yet your iniquity is marked before Me,” says the Lord God.
23 “How can you say, ‘I am not polluted, I have not gone after the Baals’? See your way in the valley; Know what you have done: You are a swift dromedary breaking loose in her ways,
24 A wild donkey used to the wilderness, That sniffs at the wind in her desire; In her time of mating, who can turn her away? All those who seek her will not weary themselves; In her month they will find her.
25 Withhold your foot from being unshod, and your throat from thirst. But you said, ‘There is no hope. No! For I have loved aliens, and after them I will go.’

God describes Israel as a vine He planted with care, yet it has become wild and corrupt. Israel’s repeated acts of idolatry are likened to harlotry, with Israel symbolized as an untamed animal relentlessly pursuing sinful desires. Despite attempts to justify their actions, their iniquity is evident to God. Their stubborn pursuit of foreign gods, symbolized by “playing the harlot” under trees and on hills, illustrates Israel’s open defiance. God warns them to turn back, yet they persist, claiming hopelessness and an unwillingness to change.

Jeremiah 2:26-30 (NKJV)
26 “As the thief is ashamed when he is found out, So is the house of Israel ashamed; They and their kings and their princes, and their priests and their prophets,
27 Saying to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ And to a stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’ For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they will say, ‘Arise and save us.’
28 But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble; For according to the number of your cities Are your gods, O Judah.
29 “Why will you plead with Me? You all have transgressed against Me,” says the Lord.
30 “In vain I have chastened your children; They received no correction. Your sword has devoured your prophets Like a destroying lion.

Israel is compared to a thief caught in the act, embarrassed by exposure but not truly repentant. They turn to idols, even attributing life to inanimate objects like trees and stones. Ironically, in times of distress, Israel seeks God’s help, but He challenges them to call on their idols for rescue. God highlights their hypocrisy and refusal to accept correction, pointing out that even the prophets sent to guide them were violently rejected. This emphasizes Israel’s unwillingness to learn and change despite numerous warnings.

Jeremiah 2:31-37 (NKJV)
31 “O generation, see the word of the Lord! Have I been a wilderness to Israel, Or a land of darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are lords; We will come no more to You’?
32 Can a virgin forget her ornaments, Or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number.
33 “Why do you beautify your way to seek love? Therefore you have also taught The wicked women your ways.
34 Also on your skirts is found The blood of the lives of the poor innocents. I have not found it by secret search, But plainly on all these things.
35 Yet you say, ‘Because I am innocent, Surely His anger shall turn from me.’ Behold, I will plead My case against you, Because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’
36 Why do you gad about so much to change your way? Also you shall be ashamed of Egypt as you were ashamed of Assyria.
37 Indeed you will go forth from him With your hands on your head; For the Lord has rejected your trusted allies, And you will not prosper by them.

God confronts Israel’s arrogance and self-deception, pointing out that they claim independence but forget Him, their true source of life and blessing. Just as a bride treasures her attire, Israel should remember God, but instead, they adorn themselves to attract foreign influences. Their alliances with Egypt and Assyria bring only shame and disappointment. God calls out their denial of sin, declaring that they will face consequences for trusting in foreign powers instead of Him. Israel’s refusal to repent results in God’s rejection of their unfaithful alliances.