This study comes from Reading Plan week 70, Jeremiah 1-12. Other studies from this week's reading:
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Introduction Jeremiah 2 is characterized by a series of rhetorical questions; that is, questions that are asked not for the sake of seeking an answer, but for the sake of making an obvious point. An example of a rhetorical question parents sometimes ask their kids is, “Well, if all your friends jump off a cliff, are you going to jump off too?” The question really doesn’t require an answer. The obvious answer is “No.” |
1Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2“Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord,
“I remember concerning you the The love of your betrothals, Your following after Me in the Through a land not sown. 3Israel was holy to the Lord, The first of His harvest. All who ate of it became guilty; Evil came upon them,” declares |
[Read v.1-3] Q: To what do these verses refer, and what is meant by the latter part of verse 3? A: The reference is to the calling of the nation out of Egypt (in spite of all their complaints) and the eventual conquest of Palestine. “You following after Me in the wilderness” refers to those years between the beginning of the journey out of Egypt and the sin at Peor when one generation died out and another arose purified, obedient and trained for warfare (years 2-40). |
4Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. 5Thus says the Lord,
“What injustice did your fathers That they went far from Me And walked after emptiness and 6They did not say, ‘Where is the Who brought us up out of the land Who led us through the wilderness, Through a land of deserts and of Through a land of drought and of Through a land that no one crossed And where no man dwelt?’ 7I brought you into the fruitful land To eat its fruit and its good things. But you came and defiled My land, And My inheritance you made an 8The priests did not say, ‘Where is And those who handle the law did not The rulers also transgressed against And the prophets prophesied by And walked after things that did not
9Therefore I will yet contend with “And with your sons’ sons I will |
[Read v.4-9] Q: In what verse is the first rhetorical question, and what is its answer? A: Verse 5. The obvious answer is that there is no injustice in God that they could find, so their reasons for walking “after emptiness” are not well founded. Q: Meaning of verse 6, and how does God answer? A: They never asked “How did we got here?” thus remembering that it was God who brought them up. God reminds them in verse 7a. Q: Once in the Promised Land, what did the people and eventually the priesthood do? A: Forgot about God and began seeking other gods. Q: What is the results of their having departed from seeking God? A: He Himself will be against them. He will contend with them. |
10For cross to the coastlands of And send to Kedar and observe And see if there has been such a 11Has a nation changed gods When they were not gods? But My people have changed For that which does not profit. 12Be appalled, O heavens, at this, And shudder, be very desolate,” 13For My people have committed They have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters, To hew for themselves cisterns, Broken cisterns That can hold no water.
14Is Israel a slave? Or is he a Why has he become a prey? 15The young lions have roared at They have roared loudly. And they have made his land a His cities have been destroyed, 16Also the men of Memphis and Have shaved the crown of your 17Have you not done this to By your forsaking the Lord your When He led you in the way? 18But now what are you doing on the To drink the waters of the Nile? Or what are you doing on the road To drink the waters of the 19Your own wickedness will correct And your apostasies will reprove Know therefore and see that it is evil For you to forsake the Lord your God, And the dread of Me is not in you,” |
[Read v.10-19] Q: How many rhetorical questions are there? A: Approximately 6 Q: What’s a “cistern”? What is the image/message being conveyed? A: Not to be confused with a cesspool, it is a storage tank for water dug in bedrock. Instead of being cisterns that hold the spiritual living waters supplied by the One True God, they have become broken cisterns incapable of holding anything spiritual whatsoever. Q: State the points being made in each of the rest of the rhetorical questions.
Q: How is this condition described in v.19? What does it mean? A: God calls it “apostasies”. It’s describes someone, who after having accepted God and followed His ways for a time, in full knowledge leave Him for a false teaching/religion, for another god to take His place. It’s not someone that has always worshipped incorrectly, but has known God and makes the conscience decision to reject Him. |
20For long ago I broke your yoke And tore off your bonds; But you said, ‘I will not serve!’ For on every high hill And under every green tree You have lain down as a harlot. 21Yet I planted you a choice vine, A completely faithful seed. How then have you turned yourself Into the degenerate shoots of a 22Although you wash yourself with And use much soap, The stain of your iniquity is before 23“How can you say, ‘I am not defiled, I have not gone after the Baals’? Look at your way in the valley! Know what you have done! You are a swift young camel 24A wild donkey accustomed to the That sniffs the wind in her passion. In the time of her heat who can turn All who seek her will not become In her month they will find her. 25Keep your feet from being unshod And your throat from thirst; But you said, ‘It is hopeless! No! For I have loved strangers, And after them I will walk.’
26As the thief is shamed when he is So the house of Israel is shamed; They, their kings, their princes And their priests and their prophets, 27Who say to a tree, ‘You are my And to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their back to Me, And not their face; But in the time of their trouble they ‘Arise and save us.’ 28But where are your gods Which you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you In the time of your trouble; For according to the number of your Are your gods, O Judah. |
[Read v.20-28] Q: Listed are a series of metaphors. Have group members attempt to interpret them.
Q: In verse 27, what will those who have turned away from God say in times of trouble? A: Rescue us! Q: How does God answer their cry for help? A: God answers with a rhetorical question: “So, where are your gods when you need them?” The obvious answer is, “Not to be found.” Q: How might God’s reply be different for apostates as opposed to, say, the Prodigal Son or non-believers coming to the Lord? A: The Prodigal Son is a believer that seeks reconciliation with God by acknowledging his sin and disobedience; a non-believer seeks reconciliation with God in the same way; an apostate only cries to God when it is too late, when they’re about to reap the choices sown. |
29Why do you contend with Me? You have all transgressed against Me,” 30“In vain I have struck your sons; They accepted no chastening. Your sword has devoured your Like a destroying lion. 31O generation, heed the word of Have I been a wilderness to Israel, Or a land of thick darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are We will no longer come to You’? 32Can a virgin forget her ornaments, Or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me Days without number. 33How well you prepare your way To seek love! Therefore even the wicked women You have taught your ways. 34Also on your skirts is found The lifeblood of the innocent poor; You did not find them breaking in. But in spite of all these things, 35Yet you said, ‘I am innocent; Surely His anger is turned away Behold, I will enter into judgment Because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’ 36Why do you go around so much Changing your way? Also, you will be put to shame by As you were put to shame by 37From this place also you will go out With your hands on your head; For the Lord has rejected those in And you will not prosper with them.” |
[Read v.29-37] Q: According to v.30, what is it that they’ve done that God defines as contending with Him? A: “…accepted no chastening..” (they’ve become immune to discipline) and “Your sword has devoured your prophets…” (they actually destroy those that bring them God’s truth.) Q: In v.31-32, how are they acting now and what was their original relationship with God? A: Originally they were a virginal bride, dedicated and faithful to one husband—God. Now they go to whomever they please like an unfaithful wife. It’s like someone that commits adultery, fully aware of their wedding vows but no longer caring. Q: According to v.35, what is the chief attitude of the apostate? A: They actually believe they are innocent of sin. They come to believe that somehow their choices are in line with God’s will and Law, such is their deception. Application Summarize the characteristics of the apostate.
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11And the Lord said to me, “Faithless Israel has proved herself more righteous than treacherous Judah. 12Go and proclaim these words toward the north and say,
‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares ‘I will not look upon you in anger. For I am gracious,’ declares the Lord; ‘I will not be angry forever. 13Only acknowledge your iniquity, That you have transgressed against And have scattered your favors to And you have not obeyed My voice,’ 14‘Return, O faithless sons,’ declares ‘For I am a master to you, And I will take you one from a city And I will bring you to Zion.’ |
Now, to make general and personal application… Q: Is there any relationship between the issues presented here and Christians? The Church? Ourselves? Q: What is the hope God gives those who have strayed? A: (Read 3:11-14) What does this say to you personally, or how you should approach those that have forsaken their relationship with God for another? |
