Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 2
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 2
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 2
"And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying," — Jeremiah 2:1 (ASV)
Moreover - literally, And. Notice the connection between Jeremiah’s call and first prophecy.
"Go, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, I remember for thee the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals; how thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown." — Jeremiah 2:2 (ASV)
Until this time, Jeremiah had lived at Anathoth; he was now to make Jerusalem the scene of his ministry.
I remember ... - Or, I have remembered for you the grace "of your youth, the love of your espousals," your going "after me in the wilderness" in an unsown land. Jeremiah contrasts the present unfriendly relations between Yahweh and His people with their past love.
Israel, as often elsewhere, is represented as a young bride (Ezekiel 16:8; Hosea 2:20; Joel 1:8).
The walking after God in the wilderness was an act of love on Israel’s part. Israel did leave Egypt at Moses’ command, and at Sinai was solemnly espoused to Yahweh.
"Israel [was] holiness unto Jehovah, the first-fruits of his increase: all that devour him shall be held guilty; evil shall come upon them, saith Jehovah." — Jeremiah 2:3 (ASV)
Meaning: “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, that is, 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 firstfruits (Leviticus 22:10, Leviticus 22:16).
"Neither said they, Where is Jehovah that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought and of the shadow of death, through a land that none passed through, and where no man dwelt?" — Jeremiah 2:6 (ASV)
Modern research has shown that this description applies only to limited portions of the route of the Israelites through the Sinaitic peninsula.
"And I brought you into a plentiful land, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination." — Jeremiah 2:7 (ASV)
A plentiful country - literally, "a land of the Carmel," a Carmel land (see 1 Kings 18:19, note; Isaiah 29:17, note).
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