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.
Chapter 2 of the book of Jeremiah in the King James Version (KJV) Holy Bible is a powerful discourse that addresses the theme of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. The chapter, which is a part of the larger prophetic book, is a divine oracle given to Jeremiah, a prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. It primarily addresses the spiritual infidelity of the Israelites, highlighting their abandonment of God, their pursuit of other gods, and the consequential judgment that awaits them.
The chapter begins with God instructing Jeremiah to go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem. This proclamation is a reminder of God's faithfulness and love towards Israel, recalling their journey from Egypt into a land of abundance. God's reminiscence about the past is not merely nostalgic; it serves as a stark contrast to the current spiritual state of Israel. The people, once dedicated and faithful to God, have now turned their backs on Him, trading Him for worthless idols. This act of spiritual adultery is at the heart of the chapter's message and forms the backbone of the ensuing judgment.
The theme of unfaithfulness permeates this chapter, with God accusing Israel of forsaking Him, the fountain of living waters, to hew out for themselves broken cisterns that can hold no water (Jeremiah 2:13). This metaphorical language paints a vivid picture of the absurdity and gravity of Israel's sin. God is portrayed as a life-giving fountain, while the idols are depicted as broken cisterns incapable of holding water. The implication here is that Israel has abandoned the one true source of life and sustenance for something that offers nothing.
The theme of divine judgment is another central element in this chapter. The Israelites' unfaithfulness does not go unpunished. God, through Jeremiah, declares that their wickedness will correct them and their backslidings will reprove them (Jeremiah 2:19). This statement is a clear indication of the impending judgment on Israel for their apostasy. They will face the consequences of their actions, and their punishment will serve as a correction and reproof.
Despite the indictment and judgment, the theme of God's mercy and love is not absent in this chapter. The very act of God sending Jeremiah to warn the people is an act of mercy. God, in His love, desires that His people return to Him and forsake their idolatrous ways. Even in His rebuke, God's heart for His people is evident. He longs for them to acknowledge their sin and return to Him, the source of life and blessing.
The meaning of chapter 2 of Jeremiah is profound and multifaceted. On one level, it serves as a historical account of Israel's spiritual state during the time of Jeremiah. It reveals the depths of their apostasy and the seriousness of their sin. However, on a deeper level, this chapter serves as a timeless message to all who would forsake God for idols. It serves as a warning about the dangers of spiritual adultery and the judgment that comes with it.
Yet, in the midst of this warning, there is a message of hope. God, despite being wronged, is merciful and loving. He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires that they turn from their ways and live (Ezekiel 18:23). This message of God's mercy and love is a beacon of hope for all who have strayed from God. It offers assurance that despite our failings, God is always ready to welcome us back if we repent and turn from our wicked ways.
In conclusion, chapter 2 of the book of Jeremiah is a powerful discourse on the themes of unfaithfulness, divine judgment, and God's mercy and love. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of forsaking God and the blessings that come with faithfulness to Him. Despite the gravity of the Israelites' sin, God's love and mercy shine through, offering hope for redemption and restoration. This chapter, therefore, serves as a timeless message to all generations, calling us to fidelity to God and warning us of the consequences of unfaithfulness.
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