1. Study Jeremiah 2:20-26. Who is Jeremiah speaking
to here? What is the historical context of this passage?
Jeremiah ben-Hilkiah is speaking to the nation of Judah. In his first message to the
nation, he is preparing to pronounce God's judgment for their apostasy and failure to honor their commitment
to the Mosaic Covenant. Since the time of Solomon, the Jews have fallen further and further away from God,
resulting in years of discord and loss of independence to various pagan empires (Assyrian, Babylonian,
and Egyptian).
2. What spiritual condition is Jeremiah speaking of? What are the facets of this condition?
Once believing in the living God and making a commitment to His Covenant, the nation
of Judah failed to worship Him and degenerated to a nation who did not know Him. Jeremiah was describing
the spiritual condition of Judah's unfaithfulness, and he used imagery to describe the various facets of
their apostasy.
Draft Animal
Jeremiah's statement, "For long ago I broke your yoke and tore off your bonds; but you
said, 'I will not serve!'", is a reference to the freedom from 400 years of Egyptian bondage. Later, just
prior to entering the Promised Land, the nation of Israel made a commitment to the Mosaic Covenant; however,
God predicted that the nation would not keep their word
(Deut 31:16-22). Unwilling to follow and serve
God, unfaithfulness is associated with disobedience.
Harlot
Jeremiah's statement, "For on every high hill and under every green tree you have lain
down as a harlot," was a direct reference to the various locations of Judah's shrines of idolatrous worship
(ie. "high hill"). Despite the Mosaic Covenant, Judah violated the Lord's trust by forsaking its covenantal
relationship to pursue the worship of any god for personal safety, health, and prosperity. Unfaithfulness
is associated with infidelity and a breech of trust.
Degenerate Shoots of a Foreign Vine
In this imagery, Jeremiah comments on the cause of unfaithfulness. In an alluded reference
to grape cultivation where good fruits come from good vines, the bad fruits of disobedience and infidelity
arise from "degenerate shoots," which he distinguishes further as from "a foreign vine." Through Jeremiah,
God asks, "How then have you turned yourself before Me?"
Roughly 800 years earlier, on the plains of Moab, the second generation of Israelites
stood poised to cross the Jordan River. They were the replacement to the first generation that disbelieved
and were purged after 40 years of wandering. Now respectful and committed to the Lord, the new generation
entered the Promised Land as the "choice vine and faithful seed". But through succeeding generations, their
fruits of apostasy revealed hearts that were foreign to the Lord. Unfaithfulness is associated with hearts
irreverent towards God.
Stain
In this statement, "Although you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain
of your iniquity is before Me," God's use of imagery reveals the indelible aspect of sin. Note: the Israelites
recognized their sin; however, they chose to cleanse themselves in their way, not God's. Had Judah kept
the Mosaic Covenant, the Israelites would have known God's process to cover their sin.
In their attempt to deny their sin, Judah was confronted with their actions in the
Valley of Hinnom where infant sacrifice was committed in the worship of other gods. Unfaithfulness is
associated with the lack of a moral standard and the denial of sin.
Swift Young Female Camel
In response to Judah's denial of committing any sin, the metaphor of a young camel
"entangling her ways" portrays a nation who is without guidance and spiritually unwise and acts impulsively
with reckless abandon. Unfaithfulness is associated with a lack of wisdom and self-control.
Wild Donkey in Heat
God's use of imagery of the wild donkey in heat alludes to two aspects of animals in
heat: 1) strong passionate desire, and 2) receptivity to any who would fulfill their needs. When used in
association with the Valley of Hinnom, it conveyed the depth of passion and zeal that it took to sacrifice
one's child in the worship of idols. Unfaithfulness is associated with ignorance of true worship and
behavior ruled by one's feelings and emotions.
Thief
The comparison to a thief emphasizes the deceit of unfaithfulness; instead of being
remorseful of the wrongness of the sinful act, the thief is more fearful of being caught and exposed. Judah
was more concerned of their image of being unfaithful rather than the act of that was unfaithful. Unfaithfulness
is associated with the denial of unfaithfulness.
Jeremiah illustrates the various facets of unfaithfulness towards God with the use of imagery and
metaphors:
Image |
Character |
Draft Animal |
Disobedience |
Harlot |
Infidelity and a breech of trust |
Degenerate Shoots of a Foreign Vine |
Hearts irreverent towards God< |
Stain |
The lack of a moral standard and the denial of sin |
Swift Young Female Camel |
A lack of wisdom and self-control |
Wild Donkey in Heat |
Ignorance of true worship and behavior ruled by one's feelings and emotions |
Thief |
The denial of unfaithfulness |
At times, drawing relevant lessons from these Old Testament passages can be difficult. For example, no
one today practices child sacrifice as Judah did in the Valley of Hinnom. But do we sacrifice our child's
time to the television or video while we pursue our own passions? Do we spend our personal time to teach
our children to how to love and cherish our God? Are we good examples to our children? Are we more concerned
about being exposed as unfaithful with total disregard for the acts of unfaithfulness? Unfaithfulness became
a practice over time and was passed down through the generations.
The nation of Israel was a united monarchy through only three kingships: Saul, David, and Solomon (Ishbosheth,
Saul's son was not included because of the civil war with David). Internationally Israel became a nation of wealth
and prestige, and Solomon made many trade agreements. To seal these agreements, custom required the awarding of
beautiful women to the most powerful member of the treaty; thus, Solomon's court of foreign women grew in number.
They, in turn, introduced pagan religions seducing Solomon to break his commitment to the Mosaic Covenant. With
his death, God no longer blessed the nation of Israel, and the United Kingdom was divided into two separate nations:
the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah.
Of the 20 kings of the northern kingdom of Israel, none would be godly.
Of the 19 kings of the southern kingdom of Judah, only 5 would be godly.
References:
1. Youngblood RF, Bruce FF, and Harrison RK eds., Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary,
Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers (1995).
2. Kaiser WC, Davids PH, Bruce FF, Brauch MT, Hard Sayings of the Bible, Chicago, IL:
Inter-Varsity Press (1996).
3. Stott JR, Tyndale New Testament Commentary, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing (1996).
4. Walvoord JF and Zuck RB, eds., The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, Wheaton,
Il: Victor Books (1985).
5. Bible.org, NETBible, Dallas, TX: Biblical Studies Press (1996-2007).