Jer 2: "The voice of the prophet Jeremiah commences a forty
year ministry leading to the dissolution of the Kingdom of Judah. He gives a
review of Israel's sins, showing that Yahweh still loves His people, but expects
that the filial love be reflected to Him. Through the prophet, Yahweh
expostulates on their ungrateful return for past goodness, and shows that their
wickedness has resulted in calamity. The voice concludes with an appeal to them
to return.
"This chapter may be outlined: [1] Israel's early promise: vv
1-4. [2] Yahweh kept His contract despite provocation: vv 5-8. [3] The enormity
of Israel's conduct once more stressed: vv 9-13. [4] Israel suffers because it
turned from Yahweh: vv 14-19. [5] The true character of the nation despite
Josiah's reformation: vv 20-30. [6] Israel will suffer: vv 31-35. [7] Israel in
heart turned to Egypt: vv 36,37.
"It must have been a sad experience for the young prophet,
brought to witness for the righteousness of his God, and seeing about him the
failure of the ecclesia. The nation rejoiced in its high and holy privilege, and
boasted in its attendance at the temple in Jerusalem, but did little to manifest
divine qualities in daily life. They were barren, thankless soil, returning
nothing for Yahweh's glory. Instead they looked to their southern neighbour
[Egypt] for support and help, putting confidence in the power of the flesh. Yet,
in spite of the darkness of their spiritual condition, the voice of Jeremiah
brought a measure of encouragement to the faithful remnant that were looking for
a redeemer. So he continues to witness at the end of the age -- as must those of
the Brotherhood today as we wait the advent of the Great Judge" (GEM).
Jer 2:2
I REMEMBER: But My people have forgotten Me: v
32.
Jer 2:5
WORTHLESS: Heb "hebel" = lit, a breath; vanity,
nothing. Because they followed nothing, they became nothing!
Jer 2:13
THE SPRING OF LIVING WATER: "All my fountains are in
you (ie Jerusalem)": Psa 87:7.
CISTERNS: Very poor sources of water... liable to
crack, full of dirt, vermin (LB 287).
Jer 2:18
WHY GO TO EGYPT TO DRINK WATER FROM THE SHIHOR?: "By
sundry miracles, by divers mercies, by strange deliverances Jehovah had proved
Himself to be worthy of Israel's trust. Yet they broke down the hedges with
which God had enclosed them as a sacred garden; they forsook their own true and
living God, and followed after false gods. Constantly did the Lord reprove them
for this infatuation, and our text contains one instance of God's expostulating
with them, 'What hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of the
muddy river?' -- for so it may be translated. 'Why dost thou wander afar and
leave thine own cool stream from Lebanon? Why dost thou forsake Jerusalem to
turn aside to Noph and to Tahapanes? Why art thou so strangely set on mischief,
that thou canst not be content with the good and healthful, but wouldst follow
after that which is evil and deceitful?' Is there not here a word of
expostulation and warning to the Christian? O true believer, called by grace and
washed in the precious blood of Jesus, thou hast tasted of better drink than the
muddy river of this world's pleasure can give thee; thou hast had fellowship
with Christ; thou hast obtained the joy of seeing Jesus, and leaning thine head
upon His bosom. Do the trifles, the songs, the honours, the merriment of this
earth content thee after that? Hast thou eaten the bread of angels, and canst
thou live on husks?... If thou art wandering after the waters of Egypt, O return
quickly to the one living fountain: the waters of Sihor may be sweet to the
Egyptians, but they will prove only bitterness to thee. What hast thou to do
with them?" (CHS).
Jer 2:32
Ct v 2.
We must not forget those spiritual garments which will insure
the approval of the Bridegroom: (1) Gown of wrought gold, sig faith by works
(1Pe 1:7): Psa 45:13,14. (2) Gown of needlework, sig painstaking labor: Psa
45:13,14. (3) Girdle, or sash -- sig constant readiness and careful walk (Luke
12:35,36; 1Pe 1:13): Isa 61:10. (4) Ornaments and jewels, sig wisdom (Job
28:18,19; Pro 3:13,15) and modesty (1Pe 3:3,4): Isa 61:10. (5) Sandals, sig
preparation (Exo 12:11; Eph 6:15), as for a march or military operation: Isa
5:27. (6) Headdress and veil -- sig humility, modesty and deference -- in the
woman (1Co 11).