their glory = His glory. This is one of the emendations of the Sopherim ( App-33 ), by which the Hebrew kebodi ("My glory") was changed to kebodo ("His glory"), out of a mistaken idea of reverence. read more
Jeremiah 2:11. Hath a nation changed their gods?— That is, according to Bishop Warburton's interpretation, "Have any of the nations brought the God of Israel into the number of their false gods, as the Israelites have brought in them to stand in fellowship with the true?" For that the ancients frequently changed their tutelary gods, or one idol for another, is too notorious to need any proof. This contrariety, therefore, to their received custom is remarkable. The reason of it may be this: it... read more
11. glory—Jehovah, the glory of Israel (Psalms 106:20; Romans 1:23). The Shekinah, or cloud resting on the sanctuary, was the symbol of "the glory of the Lord" (Romans 1:23- :; compare Romans 9:4). The golden calf was intended as an image of the true God (compare Exodus 32:4; Exodus 32:5), yet it is called an "idol" (Acts 7:41). It (like Roman Catholic images) was a violation of the second commandment, as the heathen multiplying of gods is a violation of the first. not profit— (Acts 7:41- :). read more
Yahweh’s promise to contend with His people 2:9-13 read more
The Lord challenged His people to look to other nations to see if any of them had done what they had done. None of their neighbor nations had ever forsaken gods whom they thought had blessed them in the past. This was true of them all, from Kittim (Cyprus), to Israel’s northwest, to Kedar (in the Arabian Desert), to the southeast (cf. Genesis 10:4; Genesis 25:13). Yet the Israelites had forsaken the only true God, who had made them a glorious people, for gods that did not give them anything. 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
Jeremiah’s Second Prophecy (2:1-3:5)The prophet expostulates with Israel because of their unfaithfulness to Jehovah.1-13. Under the figure of the marriage relation Jehovah reminds the people of His past favours, and charges them with faithlessness to their first love, as shown by their idolatry.2. The kindness of thy youth, etc.] Israel’s earliest devotion to Jehovah at Sinai (Exodus 24:8).3. Firstfruits of.. increase] i.e. the consecrated part. All that devour, etc.] The priest and his family... read more
(11) Hath a nation . . .—Emphatically a heathen “nation,” as contrasted with the “people” of Jehovah. They were faithful to their false gods; Israel was unfaithful to the true. The words “changed their glory” find an echo in Romans 1:23, though here they express the thought that the worship of Jehovah was the true glory of Israel as a people, and that they had wilfully abandoned it. read more
Trimming Jeremiah 2:33 What is trimming? It is the holding of a middle course or position between parties, so as to appear to favour each. The Jews trimmed between God and the idols. And the just God who loathes all that is not straight and upright shakes their equivocal souls with this stormy interrogatory, 'Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love?' I. Expressions of Trimming. We often find trimming expresses itself in speech. Quite as often it shows itself in conduct Policy is the... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 2:1-19
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