Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me, saying. Here begins the book, and Jeremiah's first sermon; and the following contains the message he was sent with, to which the preceding chapter is only a preface or introduction. The Targum calls it, "the word of the prophecy from before the Lord.' read more
Moreover ; literally, and. The introductory formula agrees with Jeremiah 1:4 . We have as it were two parallel prophecies ( Jeremiah 1:4 , etc; and Jeremiah 2:1 , etc.); both branching out of the original chronological statement in Jeremiah 1:2 (see Introduction). read more
Recollections of the happy past. It is pleasing to see how the prophet of judgment opens his first oracle with touching reminiscences of the early happy relations between God and his people. Thus the young man connects his new utterances with ancient experience and the old well-tried principles of spiritual religion. Thus, too, he leads the way from thoughts of God's goodness and memories of early devotion to a right condition of reflectiveness and tenderness of heart, in which the... read more
Israel's desertion of Jehovah viewed in the light of the past. Desertion rather than apostasy is the word by which to describe the offence charged against Israel in this chapter. Apostasy from principle is too abstract and unemotional a way of putting the thing. The spectacle presented to us is that of one person deserting another in the basest and most ungrateful way. It is a desertion without excuse, aggravated by every circumstance which can aggravate it. And now Jehovah sends his... read more
A sweet remembrance embittered; or Divine delight turned by his people's ingratitude into Divine distress. I. GOD GREATLY DELIGHTS IN HIS PEOPLE 'S LOVE . See the similitude he employs: "the love of thine espousals." It is difficult for us to recall any period in the history of Israel when such high praise as this was merited by them. For it is of their love to God rather than of his to them—though there was never any doubt about that-that the prophet is here speaking.... read more
It is always interesting to notice how later inspired writers hasten to do honor to their predecessors. Originality is not an object with the prophets, but rather the developing and adapting the truths long ago "delivered." The whole group of prophecies to which Jeremiah 2:1-37 . belongs contains numerous points of contact, in ideas or phraseology, with the song of Hoses ( Deuteronomy 32:1-52 .). The following have been indicated:—Cf. Jeremiah 2:5 with Deuteronomy 32:4 ; ... read more
Moreover - literally, And. Notice the connection between Jeremiah’s call and first prophecy. read more
Jeremiah 2:1. Moreover, the word of the Lord came unto me The discourse begun here is continued to the end of the fifth verse of the next chapter. In it God professes to retain the same kind and merciful disposition toward his people which he had manifested in their earlier days. He expostulates with them on their ungrateful returns for his past goodness, and shows that it was not want of love in him, but their own extreme and unparalleled wickedness, which had already subjected, and would... read more
A nation’s unfaithfulness (2:1-19)While Josiah was reconstructing the outward form of Judah’s religion, Jeremiah was searching into the deeply rooted attitudes of the people and trying to bring about a truly spiritual change. He contrasts the nation’s present sad condition with its devotion to God in former days. Israel once loved God, as a bride loves her husband. She was like the firstfruits of the harvest that belonged to God, and those who plundered her were punished (2:1-3).God now... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 2:1-8
Here is, I. A command given to Jeremiah to go and carry a message from God to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He was charged in general (Jer. 1:17) to go and speak to them; here he is particularly charged to go and speak this to them. Note, It is good for ministers by faith and prayer to take out a fresh commission when they address themselves solemnly to any part of their work. Let a minister carefully compare what he has to deliver with the word of God, and see that it agrees with it, that he... read more