Yahweh's remembrance of Israel's past 2:1-3 - Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

Resource > Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable) > Jeremiah > Exposition > II. Prophecies about Judah chs. 2--45 > A. Warnings of judgment on Judah and Jerusalem chs. 2-25 > 1. Warnings of coming punishment because of Judah's guilt chs. 2-6 > Yahweh's indictment of His people for their sins ch. 2 > Yahweh's remembrance of Israel's past 2:1-3

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2:1-2a The Lord spoke to Jeremiah and instructed him to proclaim a message to the people of Jerusalem, a message from Yahweh.

2:2b The Lord recalled how His people used to love (Heb. hesed) Him devotedly when they were following Him through the wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land.⁶⁹Those were the days of Israel's betrothal as a youth, before she settled down with the Lord in the land (cf. Hos. 1-3).

2:3 In those days Israel was set apart to the Lord in a way that she had not been since she entered the land and began to worship idols (cf. Exod. 19:6; 22:31). She was His firstfruits among the nations that He would bless (cf. Gen. 12:1-3; Lev. 23:10, 17; Deut. 25:1-11). The Lord punished peoples who tried to devour the Israelites then as He punished those who ate His firstfruit offerings without divine authorization (Lev. 22:10, 16).