Jeremiah 2:17

Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?

Hast thou not procured {H6213} this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken {H5800} the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, when {H6256} he led {H3212} thee by the way {H1870}?

"Haven't you brought this on yourself by abandoning ADONAI your God when he led you along the way?

Have you not brought this on yourself by forsaking the LORD your God when He led you in the way?

Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken Jehovah thy God, when he led thee by the way?

Commentary

Jeremiah 2:17 delivers a powerful and poignant rhetorical question from the Lord to the nation of Judah, exposing the direct link between their suffering and their spiritual rebellion. It serves as a stark reminder that the consequences they faced were not arbitrary divine punishment but the natural outcome of their own choices.

Context

This verse is part of an early prophetic message from Jeremiah, delivered during a period of significant spiritual decline in Judah, prior to the Babylonian exile. The prophet Jeremiah was called to confront the people of Judah regarding their widespread idolatry and unfaithfulness to the covenant God had made with their ancestors. God, through Jeremiah, is presenting a legal case, an indictment against His chosen people, highlighting their apostasy despite His consistent faithfulness and guidance. The "this" refers to the impending judgment, invasions, and hardships that Judah was beginning to experience or would soon face, culminating in their exile.

Key Themes

  • Self-Inflicted Consequences: The rhetorical question, "Hast thou not procured this unto thyself?" powerfully asserts that Judah's distress was not an external imposition but a direct result of their own actions. It underscores the principle that we reap what we sow, particularly in spiritual matters.
  • Forsaking the Faithful God: The core accusation is that they "hast forsaken the LORD thy God." This abandonment of the covenant relationship is the root cause of their troubles. Despite God's unwavering presence and leading, they chose to turn away.
  • Divine Guidance Rejected: The phrase "when he led thee by the way" emphasizes God's consistent and faithful leadership. He was not absent or silent; He was actively guiding them, yet they chose to deviate from His path. This highlights God's patience and their inexcusable rebellion.
  • Covenant Unfaithfulness: This verse speaks to the breaking of the covenant vows made at Mount Sinai, where Israel promised to obey God. Their turning to other gods was a direct violation of the first commandment.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "procured" (הוּא, hu) in this context carries the sense of bringing something upon oneself, causing it to happen, or effecting one's own ruin. It strongly emphasizes the self-inflicted nature of their predicament. The term "forsaken" (Χ’ΦΈΧ–Φ·Χ‘, azav) is a powerful verb meaning to abandon, desert, or leave behind. It conveys the complete breaking of a relationship, not merely a casual oversight, highlighting the severity of Judah's spiritual apostasy.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 2:17 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Personal Responsibility: We are accountable for our choices. When we experience negative consequences, it's crucial to honestly examine our actions and whether we have strayed from God's path, rather than blaming circumstances or God.
  • Value God's Guidance: God continually seeks to lead us "by the way" through His Word, His Spirit, and wise counsel. Our well-being is deeply tied to our willingness to trust and follow His direction.
  • Faithfulness Matters: Maintaining a faithful relationship with God is paramount. Just as Judah suffered for forsaking Him, our spiritual health and peace are contingent upon our continued devotion to Him.
  • Consequences of Sin: This verse is a sober reminder that sin, particularly the sin of spiritual rebellion, has real and often painful consequences, even for those who are God's people. However, God's ultimate desire is always for repentance and restoration, as seen throughout Jeremiah's prophecies and in other prophetic books.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 4:18

    Thy way and thy doings have procured these [things] unto thee; this [is] thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.

  • Jeremiah 2:19

    Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that [it is] an evil [thing] and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear [is] not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

  • Jeremiah 2:13

    For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, [and] hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

  • Deuteronomy 28:15

    ΒΆ But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

  • Deuteronomy 28:68

    And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy [you].

  • Hosea 13:9

    ΒΆ O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me [is] thine help.

  • Psalms 77:20

    Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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