Jeremiah 2

Jeremiah 2:2

OF thy youth] this age of the people, ought to be understood of their first beginnings untill their deliverance out of Egypt, the espousals were when God gave them his Law, seeEzek 16. 8, 22. & 23. 3, 8, 19.

Jeremiah 2:3

The first fruits] as by the Law all first fruits are consecrated to me, so among all the Nations of the world Israel was consecrated to me, for to be my Church, James 1:18. Revelation 14:4. see Psalms 114:1-8; Psalms 2:1-12. Shall offend] see the contrary, Jer. 50 7.

Jeremiah 2:5

After vanity] namely, after idols, that have no Godhead, nor vertue, but onely in the vaine opinion of the idolater.

Jeremiah 2:6

Of pits] namely, a horrible and dolefull place, like unto Church-yards carrying a perpetuall resemblance of death, by reason of the present dangers, and for want of all things necessary for mans life, see Deut. 8. 15. & 32. 10. Or where passengers are oftentimes buried quicke by the Sands, which are moved by the Windes. Others translate it desolate.

Jeremiah 2:7

A pentifull Countrey] the Italian, the Countrey of Carmel; that is to say, a most plentifull and pleasant Countrey, such as Mount Carmel was, Isa. 32. 15. & 35. 2. Mine heritage]namely, the place which I had chosen for my Churches proper habitation, and given to my people for an inheritance, by me their father, for a pledge of their heavenly inheritance.

Jeremiah 2:8

That handle] namely, the Priests, and Levites, which were the ordinary Ministers and Doctors of the Law, see Mal. 26, 7. The pastours] the conductors of my people, both politicke, and Ecclesiasticall After things] namely, after idols, and superstitions.

Jeremiah 2:10

Of Chittim] it is held to be properly Macedonia, Numbers 24:24. but under this name are comprehended all parts beyond the Sea, in Europe Kedar] namely, Arabia, which was towards the East and South, opposite to those Islands, which were more Westward and Northerly.

Jeremiah 2:11

Their glory] namely, their God, in whose grace and covenant consisted all their glory and excellency, Psal. 106. 20. For that] namely, for idols which have no essence nor power.

Jeremiah 2:12

Desolate] melting, and as it were dissolving for the grievousnesse of this act.

Jeremiah 2:14

Is Israel] how comes it that my people which are my children and free, are by me subjected to their enemies as slaves? It is because they have gone astray, and have forsaken me?

Jeremiah 2:15

The young Lyons] namely, the Assyrians and Babilonians, see Psalms 74:4. Lamentations 2:7.

Jeremiah 2:16

Noph] Cities of Egypt. His meaning is, O thou Judea thy league with Egypt against the Chaldeans will be the cause of thy ruine. For the rebellion of the Kings of Judah against the Chaldeans, was in the behalfe of Egypt, and grounded upon hope of assistance from them. And the reason of the Chaldeans comming against Ierusalem was chiefly for to win that passage into Egypt, which then stood in contention with Babylon.

Jeremiah 2:17

He led thee] when he did governe thee securely and prosperously by his providence, and led thee by the high road way of his obedience, to which are opposite the by-waies, and windings, and turnings of vain carnall wisdome, whereof he speaks afterward.

Jeremiah 2:18

What hast thou] wherefore doest thou meddle or take part, sometimes with the one, and sometimes with the other of these Nations which are enemies amonst themselves, and with which thou hast no communion at all, and from whom thou needest not to feare any thing, if thou wouldest keepe thy selfe joyned to me? To drinke] to draw the Egyptian forces to thine assistance, see Isaiah 8:6, Sihor] here is meant the river of Nilus, but elsewhere Joshua 13:3. 1 Chronicles 13:5. It is a little river between Palestina and Egypt. Of the river] namely, Euphrates.

Jeremiah 2:20

Thou wanderest] thy carnall security appeareth in this, that thou art unbridled in thine idolatry, for he that feareth punishment will take heed of offending.

Jeremiah 2:21

Aright] namely, a loyall seed, and the seed of true beleevers.

Jeremiah 2:22

For though] that is to say, thy sinnes cannot be excused, nor dissembled Is marked] namely, is still kept in mind, and not forgiven: like a processe already informed upon, and ready to be sentenced.

Jeremiah 2:23

In the valley] that is to say, generally in all the valleys which were chosen out by Idolaters, Isaiah 57:5-6. or particularly in the valley of Hinnon, where they did homage unto Molech, 2 King. 23. 10. Dromedary] a kind of swift Camell Traversing] that is to say, thou hast no order nor rule, nor stay in thine actions and designes.

Jeremiah 2:24

Wild asse] by this word he representeth the untamed fiercenesse of this people, that will not submit themselves to the Lawes of God, even as this beast cannot be made tame, nor brought to doe man any service, Job 39:8. Snuffeth up] he hath a relation to the nature of this beast, which panteth with hunger, thirst, and wearinesse, rather then it will come into places that are inhabited, see Jeremiah 14:6. Who can turne her] they runne with so much fiercenesse upon all occasions, and objects of idolatry, that one knoweth not how to stay them, nor turne them. They that seeke her] even as beasts when they grow proud, and in heat of lust, doe runne after the males, so doth this people of its owne proper motion run to idolatry, not being sought to, see Ezek. 16. 34. & 23. 40.

Jeremiah 2:25

Withhold] keep thy selfe from this unquiet and disturbing passion, which can produce nothing but dammage and hurt Strangers] namely, strange men, and gods, their idolatries, superstitions and customes.

Jeremiah 2:27

Saying] that doe attribute their being, subsistence and meanes to their idols and not to me.

Jeremiah 2:30

Your Prophets] namely, Gods true and faithfull Ministers, which you have persecuted and killed.

Jeremiah 2:31

Have I been] hath my people served me, and reaped no fruit thereby, as if they had tilled a barren piece of Land? have I not blessed them abundantly, and rewarded them whilest they were faithfull to me? We are] now that our Kingdome and state is come, as one should say, to mans full age and growth. We will be the masters of our owne wils, and live as we please and not suffer the ancient discipline which we were subject to in former ages.

Jeremiah 2:33

Why trimmest thou] why dost thou employ so much art and skill to obtain the favour of strange Nations, to the prejudice of thy spirituall chastity, and puronesse of my service?

Jeremiah 2:34

In thy skirts] besides thine Idolatry, thou art polluted with the blood of my prophets and others who have reproved or withstood thee.

Jeremiah 2:36

To change] flying now to Egypt for assistance as Ahaz did heretofore to the King of Assyria, 2 Kings 16:17-18. and both having been not onely unprofitable, but also hurtfull to you.

Jeremiah 2:37

From him] namely, from this King of Egypt, to whom thou now fliest for reliefe, against the Chaldeans Thine hands] that is to say, discomforted, it being the gesture of women in great sorrow, 2 Samuel 13:19.