Jeremiah 2:23
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
“How can you say, ‘I am not defiled; I have not run after the Baals’? Look at your behavior in the valley; acknowledge what you have done. You are a swift young she-camel galloping here and there,
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
It is probable that this chapter was Jeremiah's first sermon after his ordination; and a most lively pathetic sermon it is as any we have is all the books of the prophets. Let him not say, "I cannot speak, for I am a child;" for, God having touched his mouth and put his words into it, none can speak better. The scope of the chapter is to show God's people their transgressions, even the house of Jacob their sins; it is all by way of reproof and conviction, that they might be brought to repent of their sins and so prevent the ruin that was coming upon them. The charge drawn up against them is very high, the aggravations are black, the arguments used for their conviction very close and pressing, and the expostulations very pungent and affecting. The sin which they are most particularly charged with here is idolatry, forsaking the true God, their own God, for other false gods. Now they are told, I. That this was ungrateful to God, who had been so kind to them (Jer 2:1-8). II. That it was without precedent, that a nation should change their god (Jer 2:9-13). III. That hereby they had disparaged and ruined themselves (Jer 2:14-19). IV. That they had broken their covenants and degenerated from their good beginnings (Jer 2:20, Jer 2:21). V. That their wickedness was too plain to be concealed and too bad to be excused (Jer 2:22, Jer 2:23, Jer 2:35). VI. That they persisted witfully and obstinately in it, and were irreclaimable and indefatigable in their idolatries (Jer 2:24, Jer 2:25, Jer 2:33, Jer 2:36). VII. That they shamed themselves by their idolatry and should shortly be made ashamed of it when they should find their idols unable to help them (Jer 2:26-29, Jer 2:37). VIII. That they had not been convinced and reformed by the rebukes of Providence that had been under (Jer 2…
Open source ↗2:23–3:5 Instead of acting like a faithful wife, Israel behaved like a wild animal in heat (2:23-25), a thief (2:26-30), and a prostitute (2:31–3:5). 2:23 The people protested that it was not true that they were Baal worshipers (cp. 2:25). Archaeologists have found small plaques showing an Asherah (female goddess) and a male god resembling Baal, but their inscriptions bear the name of the Lord (Yahweh). Baal worship was apparently sometimes disguised as worship of Israel’s God.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Hinnom so they could burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I never commanded, nor did it even enter My mind.
There is a generation of those who are pure in their own eyes and yet unwashed of their filth.
For his eyes are too full of conceit to detect or hate his own sin.
For the Jews it was a time of light and gladness, of joy and honor.
This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
How long will you wander, O faithless daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing in the land— a woman will shelter a man.”
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face.