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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 2:4

Verse 4 Here God explains why he had referred to what we have noticed, — that he had consecrated Israel to himself as a peculiar people, and as the first — fruits. God often mentions his favors to us, in order to encourage our hope, that we may be fully persuaded that whatever may happen we are ever safe, because we are under his protection, since he has chosen us. But in this place, and in many other places, God recounts the obligations under which the Israelites were to him, that thence their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 2:5

Verse 5 Then follows the charge: What, iniquity have your fathers found in me, that having forsaken me they should walk after vanity and become vain? Here Jeremiah charges the people with two crimes, — that they had departed from the true God, whom they had found to be a deliverer, — and that they had become vain in their devices; or, in other words, that they were become for no reason apostates: for their sin was enhanced, because there had been no occasion given them to forsake God, and to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 2:6

Verse 6 The Prophet goes on with the same subject; for God adduces here no small crime against his people, as they had buried his favom’s in oblivion. Indeed, a redemption so wonderful was worthy of being celebrated in all ages, not only by one nation, but by all the nations of the earth. As then the Jews had thus buried the memory of a favor so remarkable and valuable, their base impiety appeared evident. Had they not experienced the power and kindness of God, or had they only witnessed them... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 2:7

Verse 7 He afterwards adds, And I brought you in, etc. Here Jeremiah introduces God as the speaker; for God had, as with his hand stretched forth, brought in the children of Abraham into the possession of the promised land, which they did not get, as it is said in Psalms 44:3, by their own power and by their own sword; for though they had to fight with many enemies, yet it was God that made them victorious. He could then truly say, that they did not otherwise enter the land than under his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 2:8

Verse 8 God assails here especially the teachers and those to whom was committed the power of ruling the people. It often happens that the common people fall away, while yet some integrity remains in the rulers. But God shews here that such was the falling away among the whole community, that priests as well as prophets and all the chief men had departed from the true worship of God, and from all uprightness. Now, when Jeremiah thus rebukes the teachers and the priests and others, he does not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:1-8

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:1-14

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:1-37

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:4-9

The indictment of Israel. The chosen nation is arraigned in all its generations and in all its orders. It is a universal and continuous crime; and it ran parallel with a succession of unheard-of mercies, deliverances, and favors. In these respects it corresponds to the sin of God's people in every age—forgetfulness of past mercy, abuse of present blessings, the corruption and perverseness of those who were entrusted with Divine mysteries and sacred offices. I. JEHOVAH APPEALS TO ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 2:5

What iniquity , etc.; rather, what unrighteousness , etc. (comp. Deuteronomy 32:4 , "a God of faithfulness, and without unrighteousness," alluding to the "covenant" between Jehovah and Israel). God's condescending grace (his ' anavah , Psalms 18:36 ). As if he were under an obligation to Israel (comp. Micah 6:3 , etc.; Isaiah 5:3 ). Vanity ; i . e . the idols; literally, a breath (so Jeremiah 10:15 ; Jeremiah 14:22 ; Jeremiah 16:19 ). Are become vain . The... read more

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