Jeremiah 3:1-5
This passage belongs with the oracle left off at the end of chapter 2. See Deuteronomy 24:1-4 for the law's view on divorce. The question was rhetorical to the Jews. They would say, 'Of course not!' The land would indeed be defiled. Yet Israel left the Lord and had taken many other lovers, not just another husband. The implication is that they should not be able to return to Him. At the end of verse one, the NIV states it as another rhetorical question, 'would you now return to me?' This is correct and not as imperative as NKJV 'return to me!" The thought they might be legitimately rejected should have shocked them.
The shock value continues; look to the high places where all the other gods were worshiped. Was there a high place they had not been to? The word 'ravished' is a crude word aggressive sexual contact. It was toned down to a more polite Greek word when translated to Masoretic text. The picture of sitting alongside the road like a prostitute waiting on lovers was likened to a nomad. The 'nomad' word could also be 'crow'. Either is a picture of a thief, scavenger or illicit trader along the road.
The land was considered defiled for the idolatry, spiritual adultery; the two words together 'prostitution and wickedness' imply excessive promiscuity. The result of this is the land was cursed in its defiled state and rain is withheld bring no fruit from the land.
The 'brazen look' of verse 3 is open and blatant promiscuity in the face of repeated warnings. There is no shame for her actions. Yet, they had just called to the Lord as if there were nothing wrong. It comes across very manipulative in their blatant promiscuity and then acting as if all is well and they honor the Lord with these words of Father and friend. This is the way they talked, yet they sin as much and as far as they are able (as much as they can fit in a day).
Jeremiah 3:6-10
It was very early in Jeremiah's ministry when the Lord brings this to Jeremiah's attention. The word 'faithless' is another form of the recurring word 'shuv' meaning to turn. They had turned from faithful to faithless. The charge of going up on the 'high hill' was to walk with these other gods; it was spiritual prostitution - this is very similar to 2:20. The Lord is portrayed as a husband who hoped his unfaithful wife might return to him but instead His other adulterous wife becomes adulterous also. The Lord divorced Israel and she was sent away. This parallels Hosea 2:2 picture of unfaithfulness and her being sent away in Hosea 9:15; Israel went to exile in 722 B.C. Judah then had full knowledge of the unfaithfulness and consequences and repeated the offense.
Israel's immorality mattered little to her; it was a light and frivolous thing. The land was defiled (according to Deut 24:4) because of the guilt incurred. In Numbers 35:33 the land is defiled by the blood on the hands of the murderer. This sin of adultery is as serious as murder, not a light and frivolous thing. The stone and wood is a repeat of the taunt of 2:27. Judah did not return – did not repent; this is a different word for repent or turn than the 'faithless' of verse 1 and 8. There was the pretense of returning. To add insult to injury, the faithless sister attempted deceive and trick God.
Jeremiah 3:11-13
Faithless Israel is now declared more righteous; literally 'her soul is just'. It is God's divine mercy extended. One hundred years had passed since the conquering of Samaria by Assyria. The northern kingdom had been populated by Assyrians; Judah looked on them as half-breeds and gentiles as the bloodlines were polluted. The Lord calls for the return of faithless Israel. It literally reads 'turn, turned away Israel'. The frown is symbolical of the curse while the smile was the blessing. True repentance acknowledges the guilt of sin. Her conduct had been scattered among these idols.
Jeremiah 3:14-18
As in verse 12, the call for the turned away to turn. The Lord will choose the remnant from among the unfaithful. The remnant is relatively small, one from a town, two from a clan. The promise is for the Lord will bring them to Zion. The shepherds after my own heart is a contrast to the previous rebellious shepherds. Of course, this leads us to the shepherd king, David, a man after the Lord's heart. And then to the ultimate shepherd, the Lord Jesus.
In the time of this future restoration, the ark will not be discussed. It was a symbol of the Lord's presence. In this future time, the Lord will be present on His throne, no symbol is required or needed. Jerusalem will be the throne, not just to Israel, but to all the nations.
Jeremiah 3:19-20
How the Lord longed for His people to love Him and trust Him, He longed to bless them and lavish beautiful gifts on them. He wanted to be 'Father' to the children but they turned to others in unfaithfulness.
Jeremiah 3:21-25
There was crying and weeping; but it was likely the cry to other gods in their perverted ways. The cry to return same phrase as 3:14. The 'cure' is another form of 'turn' or 'shuv'. Read 'I will turn you from your turning away'.
Now we see the beginning of confession. Surely it's a mistake for salvation is found in the Lord. The shameful gods were the baals that were to increase fertility; ironically the opposite happened. Their flocks, herds, sons and daughters were consumed by idolatry. The shameful gods brought them to shame. To lie down in the shame and be covered in it was the 'lie down in the bed you made'.
©2018 Doug Ford
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