Charles Ellicott Commentary Jeremiah 2:17

"Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken Jehovah thy God, when he led thee by the way?" — Jeremiah 2:17 (ASV)

Hast thou not procured this ...? —The secret cause of the calamities is brought to light. Jehovah was leading Israel, but Israel has chosen another path, and so has procured for himself sorrow upon sorrow. The way here is scarcely the literal path through the wilderness, but much rather the true way of life.