Charles Spurgeon Commentary Jeremiah 2:14-17

"Is Israel a servant? is he a home-born [slave]? why is he become a prey? The young lions have roared upon him, and yelled; and they have made his land waste: his cities are burned up, without inhabitant. The children also of Memphis and Tahpanhes have broken the crown of thy head. Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken Jehovah thy God, when he led thee by the way?" — Jeremiah 2:14-17 (ASV)

Is Israel a servant? Is he a homeborn slave? Why is he spoiled? The young lions roared upon him and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant. Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head. Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?

The people of Israel had come into a dreadful state of poverty, famine, and oppression. Their enemies had so destroyed the land that it was full of lions that even yelled in the very streets where men, women, and children once abounded. And God says to them, "Is not this the result of your own sin? Was it so when you lived near to me? Have you not brought this upon yourself by your sin?" So, child of God, if you are unhappy tonight – if you are mourning – if you cannot find comfort in the world – no comfort in God either, hast thou not procured this unto thyself?

When you lived near to God, when prayer was continual, when you watched your conduct, when you went softly, asking God to guide you from day to day, was it not better with you then than now? Then your peace was like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. If it is not so now, hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, when he led thee by the way?