Chapter 2
God expostulates with his people. (Jer. 2:1-8) Their revolt beyond example. (Jer. 2:9-13) Guilt
the cause of sufferings. (Jer. 2:14-19) The sins of Judah. (Jer. 2:20-28) Their false confidence. (Jer.
2:29-37)
Jer. 2:1-8 Those who begin well, but do not persevere, will justly be upbraided with their
hopeful and promising beginnings. Those who desert religion, commonly oppose it more than those
who never knew it. For this they could have no excuse. God's spiritual Israel must own their
obligations to him for safe conduct through the wilderness of this world, so dangerous to the soul.
Alas, that many, who once appeared devoted to the Lord, so live that their professions aggravate
their crimes! Let us be careful that we do not lose in zeal and fervency, as we gain knowledge.
Jer. 2:9-13 Before God punishes sinners, he pleads with them, to bring them to repentance. He
pleads with us, what we should plead with ourselves. Be afraid to think of the wrath and curse
which will be the portion of those who throw themselves out of God's grace and favour. Grace in
Christ is compared to water from a fountain, it being cooling and refreshing, cleansing and making
fruitful: to living water, because it quickens dead sinners, revives drooping saints, supports and
maintains spiritual life, and issues in eternal life, and is ever-flowing. To forsake this Fountain is
the first evil; this is done when the people of God neglect his word and ordinances. They hewed
them out broken cisterns, that could hold no water. Such are the world, and the things in it; such
are the inventions of men when followed and depended on. Let us, with purpose of heart, cleave
to the Lord only; whither else shall we go? How prone are we to forego the consolations of the
Holy Spirit, for the worthless joys of the enthusiast and hypocrite!
Jer. 2:14-19 Is Israel a servant? No, they are the seed of Abraham. We may apply this spiritually:
Is the soul of man a slave? No, it is not; but has sold its own liberty, and enslaved itself to divers
lusts and passions. The Assyrian princes, like lions, prevailed against Israel. People from Egypt
destroyed their glory and strength. They brought these calamities on themselves by departing from
the Lord. The use and application of this is, Repent of thy sin, that thy correction may not be thy
ruin. What has a Christian to do in the ways of forbidden pleasure or vain sinful mirth, or with the
pursuits of covetousness and ambition?
Jer. 2:20-28 Notwithstanding all their advantages, Israel had become like the wild vine that
bears poisonous fruit. Men are often as much under the power of their unbridled desires and their
sinful lusts, as the brute beasts. But the Lord here warns them not to weary themselves in pursuits
which could only bring distress and misery. As we must not despair of the mercy of God, but believe
that to be sufficient for the pardon of our sins, so neither must we despair of the grace of God, but
believe that it is able to subdue our corruptions, though ever so strong.
Jer. 2:29-37 The nation had not been wrought upon by the judgements of God, but sought to
justify themselves. The world is, to those who make it their home and their portion, a wilderness
and a land of darkness; but those who dwell in God, have the lines fallen to them in pleasant places.