Jeremiah 2:2

“Go, and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, etc.] Of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the metropolis of Judea. The prophet seems now to have been at Anathoth, and therefore is bid to go from thence to Jerusalem, and there prophesy before the people in it, as the Targum paraphrases it: saying, thus saith the Lord, I remember thee; the Lord never forgets his people, though they sometimes think he does; it cannot be for they are engraven on the palms of his hands, yea, are set as a seal on his heart; nor does he forget his covenant with them, nor favours and blessings promised them: or, “I remember for thee”; or, “to thee”f21: things in thy favour, and which will be to thy advantage: the kindness of thy…”

“Up to this time Jeremiah had lived at Anathoth, he is now to make Jerusalem the scene of his ministrations. I remember ... - Or, I have remembered for thee the grace “of thy youth, the love of thine espousals,” thy going “after me in the wilderness” in an unsown land. Jeremiah contrasts the present unfriendly relations between Yahweh and His people with their past love. Israel, as often elsewhere, is represented as a young bride Ezekiel 16:8; Hosea 2:20; Joel 1:8. The walking after God in the wilderness was an act of love on Israel’s part. Israel did leave Egypt at Moses’ bidding, and at Sinai was solemnly espoused to Yahweh. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Go - From Anathoth to Jerusalem. Remember - I remind thee of the kindness that was between us. The love - When I entered into covenant with thee at the giving of the law. Wilderness - I took such care of thee, in the howling wilderness, a land that was not sown. Jeremiah 2:3”

“2:2 This is what the Lord says: This and similar statements were equivalent to an official seal or a stamp of authority on a document. In many inscriptions of royal messages from the ancient Near East, the ruler stated that the message came from him and carried his authority. • The image of Israel as a bride had been used since the days of Hosea (about 760–722 BC; Hos 2:2-19; see also Isa 54:6-8; 62:5). The concept is later applied to the redeemed community in heaven (Rev 19:7; 21:2, 9). • long ago: Following the exodus from Egypt, the Israelites were symbolically married to God when they agreed to a covenant relationship (Exod 19:8; 24:7, 8; Deut 5:27; Ezek 16:8). • eager . . . to please…”

“cry: Jer 7:2, Jer 11:6, Jer 19:2; Pro 1:20, Pro 8:1-4; Isa 58:1; Hos 8:1; Jon 1:2; Mat 11:15; Luk 12:13 thee: or, for thy sake the kindness: Exo 14:31, 15:1-20; Eze 16:8, Eze 16:22, Eze 16:60, Eze 23:3, Eze 23:8, Eze 23:19; Hos 2:15 thine espousals: Exo 24:3-8; Sol 3:11; Exo 16:8 when: Jer 2:6; Deu 2:7, Deu 8:2, Deu 8:15, Deu 8:16; Neh 9:12-21; Isa 63:7-14 Jeremiah 2:3”