Render: “Israel” is an offering consecrated to Yahweh, His firstfruits of increase. The firstfruits were God’s consecrated property, His portion of the whole harvest. Pagan, i. e., unconsecrated, nations must not meddle with Israel, because it is the nation consecrated to God. If they do, they will bring such guilt upon themselves as those incur who eat the first-fruits Leviticus 22:10, Leviticus 22:16. read more
Jeremiah 2:2-3 . Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem In the most public parts of the city, that all may hear; saying, Thus saith the Lord I deliver his message, and not my own. I come to you with a commission from God, and speak in God’s name. I remember thee, &c. I remember my first kindness to thee, when I delivered thee out of Egypt; (see Hosea 2:15;) and espoused thee to myself, to be my own peculiar people. The covenant which God made with the Israelites, at mount Sinai, is... 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
holiness unto the LORD. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 19:6 ). the firstfruits, &c, which were consecrated. Ref to Pentateuch (Exodus 23:19 . Deuteronomy 18:4 ; Deuteronomy 26:10 ). App-92 . devour = devoured. offend = be held guilty. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 4:13 , Leviticus 4:22 , Leviticus 4:27 ; Leviticus 5:2 , Leviticus 5:3 , Leviticus 5:4 , Leviticus 5:5 , Leviticus 5:17 , Leviticus 5:19 ; Leviticus 6:4 .Numbers 5:6 , Numbers 5:7 ). App-92 . evil = calamity. Hebrew. ... read more
Jeremiah 2:3. All that devour him shall offend— Are trespassers, or shall rue it. Or, All who desired to destroy him were destroyed; evils came upon them. Houbigant. read more
3. holiness unto the Lord—that is, was consecrated to the service of Jehovah (Exodus 19:5; Exodus 19:6). They thus answered to the motto on their high priest's breastplate, "Holiness to the Lord" (Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 14:2; Deuteronomy 14:21). first-fruits of his increase—that is, of Jehovah's produce. As the first-fruits of the whole produce of the land were devoted to God (Exodus 23:19; Numbers 18:12; Numbers 18:13), so Israel was devoted to Him as the first-fruit and representative... read more
Yahweh’s remembrance of Israel’s past 2:1-3 read more
In those days Israel was set apart to the Lord in a way that she had not been since she entered the land and began to worship idols (cf. Exodus 19:6; Exodus 22:31). She was His firstfruits among the nations that He would bless (cf. Genesis 12:1-3; Leviticus 23:10; Leviticus 23:17; Deuteronomy 26:1-11). The Lord punished peoples who tried to devour the Israelites then (e.g., the Egyptians and the Amalekites), just as He punished those who ate His firstfruits offerings without divine... read more
The Prophet Sets Forth the Sin of the Nation and Points Out the Inevitable Result (Reign of Josiah, and Probably Before the Reforms of that King: cp. Jeremiah 3:6)This section furnishes us with the gist of the prophet’s testimony during the early years of his ministry, and doubtless represents the commencement of the roll written by Baruch at Jeremiah’s dictation. In these five chapters he lays before his hearers the grossness of their conduct in deserting Jehovah, and urges repentance and... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:3
Guilty instruments of Divine judgment. A great problem in morals. Pharaoh's "heart is hardened," and yet his guilt remains. Nations are raised up to punish Israel for unfaithfulness, yet they "offend" in doing this very thing. I. WHEREIN THE GUILT OF INSTRUMENTS OF DIVINE VENGEANCE MAY CONSIST . At least two explanations of this are to be found: 1. In the distinction between the formal and the material character of actions . The essential evil or good of... read more