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Jeremiah 2

37 verses

TL;DR

Jeremiah rebukes Israel for abandoning God’s covenant, recalling their earlier devotion while condemning their idolatry, disobedience, and social injustice. He warns of impending judgment but also expresses His enduring compassion and desire for repentance.

Summary

The chapter opens with the Lord instructing Jeremiah to address Jerusalem’s inhabitants, recalling Israel’s past fidelity and the blessings they received. Jeremiah then laments how the people, led by priests and prophets, have turned away from God, worshipping idols and neglecting the law. The Lord accuses the nation’s leaders and people of corruption, false prophets, and social injustice, noting the broken covenant and the loss of the land’s prosperity. He speaks of the consequences—judgment from Egypt and Assyria—and urges Israel to remember their covenant with God. The chapter ends with a stark warning of God’s righteous judgment and a call for the people to turn back to Him.

Outline
  1. Jeremiah’s commission and recall of Israel’s past faithfulness
  2. Accusation of idolatry, lawlessness, and social injustice among leaders and people
  3. Warnings of judgment and calls for repentance and intercession
Themes
Faithfulness and covenantIdolatry and disobedienceJudgment and mercy
Keywords
LordJeremiahIsraelJerusalemidolatrylawcovenantjudgmentmercy
People
The LordJeremiahThe House of Israel/JudahPriestsProphetsKings
Places
JerusalemIsraelJudahEgyptAssyria
Things
CovenantLawIdolsWaterVineCisterns
Key Verses
  • Jeremiah 2:2: The Lord’s command for Jeremiah to cry out to Jerusalem sets the tone of the prophetic message.
  • Jeremiah 2:4: Highlights the betrayal of the people’s ancestors and their turning to vanity.
  • Jeremiah 2:21: Uses the imagery of a noble vine to illustrate Israel’s failure to remain faithful.
Questions
  • What does Jeremiah’s lament reveal about the relationship between faithfulness and blessings?
  • How does the text portray the role of leaders (priests, prophets) in Israel’s downfall?
  • In what ways does the chapter balance warning with hope for repentance?
  • What is the significance of the vine metaphor in verse 21?
  • How does Jeremiah’s message relate to contemporary concerns about social justice?
Sentiment

negative
The chapter conveys anger and lament over Israel’s apostasy while also expressing God’s enduring love and desire for repentance.