John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 2:32

"Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number." — Jeremiah 2:32 (ASV)

God here confirms what is said in the last verse and intends to make his people ashamed because they valued him less than girls usually value their ornaments. The necklaces of young women are indeed nothing but mere trifles, and yet we see that girls are so captivated by them through a foolish passion that they value such trinkets more than their very life. "How then is it," says God, "that my people have forgotten me? Can any such ornament be found? Can anything be found among the most valuable jewels and the most precious stones that can be compared with me?"

God shows by this comparison how perverted the minds of the Jews were when they renounced and rejected a benefit so invaluable as having God as their Father and being prosperous under his dominion. Indeed, nothing necessary for a blessed life had been lacking for them as long as they continued to receive that paternal favor, which God had manifested toward them and wished to show them to the end.

Since they had found God to be so bountiful, were they not more than mad when they willfully rejected his favor, while young women commonly fix their thoughts and affections strongly and permanently on such worthless trifles?

But the Prophet deliberately used this analogy so that he might introduce what is contained in the next verse. His purpose was to compare the Jews to adulterous women who, being led away by unbridled lust, follow licentious lovers. Therefore, since he intended to bring this charge against the Jews, he spoke specifically of the ornaments of young women.