Jeremiah 2:31

O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?

O generation {H1755}, see {H7200} ye the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}. Have I been a wilderness {H4057} unto Israel {H3478}? a land {H776} of darkness {H3991}? wherefore say {H559} my people {H5971}, We are lords {H7300}; we will come {H935} no more unto thee?

You of this generation, look at the word of ADONAI: Have I been a desert to Isra'el? or a land of oppressive darkness? Why do my people say, 'We're free to roam, we will no longer come to you'?

You people of this generation, consider the word of the LORD: “Have I been a wilderness to Israel or a land of dense darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are free to roam; we will come to You no more’?

O generation, see ye the word of Jehovah. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? or a land of thick darkness? wherefore say my people, We are broken loose; we will come no more unto thee?

Jeremiah 2:31 captures a poignant moment in God's interaction with ancient Israel (specifically Judah), highlighting their profound spiritual rebellion and ingratitude despite His unwavering faithfulness. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God directly confronts His people, exposing the irrationality of their departure from Him.

Context

This verse is part of Jeremiah's early prophecies, delivered during a period of significant spiritual decline in Judah. The prophet Jeremiah was called to confront the nation's widespread idolatry, moral corruption, and their abandonment of the covenant relationship with the LORD. Chapter 2, in particular, serves as a divine indictment, where God recalls His steadfast love and provision for Israel from their exodus from Egypt, contrasting it sharply with their continuous turning away to foreign gods and practices. This verse is a direct appeal, questioning their justification for such a grievous rebellion.

Key Themes

  • God's Unwavering Faithfulness: The rhetorical questions, "Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness?", powerfully underscore God's consistent provision and guidance. He reminds them that He has always been their source of life, light, and sustenance, not a place of desolation or obscurity. This echoes God's care for them during their forty years in the wilderness, where He provided manna and water.
  • Israel's Ingratitude and Rebellion: Despite God's abundant goodness, the people declare, "We are lords; we will come no more unto thee." This statement reveals a complete rejection of God's authority and a desire for self-sufficiency. They have forgotten their dependence on Him and instead sought autonomy.
  • Spiritual Independence and Apostasy: The phrase "We are lords" (Hebrew: rûd or rad) suggests a desire to wander freely, to be unrestrained, or to be masters of their own destiny, asserting their independence from divine rule. This leads directly to the declaration, "we will come no more unto thee," a clear statement of spiritual abandonment and a severing of their covenant relationship. This rejection is further elaborated in Jeremiah 2:13, where they are accused of forsaking God, the fountain of living waters.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "lords" (רַד, rad, or often interpreted as related to רָדָה, radah, "to rule" or "to have dominion") in this context carries a sense of being uncontrolled, free to roam at will, or self-governing. It conveys a spirit of defiance against God's sovereignty, as if saying, "We are our own masters, we need no one." This is a stark contrast to their identity as God's chosen people, who were meant to live under His divine kingship.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 2:31 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual amnesia and self-reliance. It challenges us to reflect on our own relationship with God:

  • Acknowledge God's Blessings: Do we recognize God's faithfulness and provision in our lives, or do we take His goodness for granted?
  • Beware of Self-Sufficiency: The temptation to declare "We are lords" and rely solely on our own strength, wisdom, or resources is ever-present. This verse calls us to humility and continued dependence on God, understanding that true freedom and peace come from being submitted to His will, not from independence from Him.
  • Maintain Spiritual Connection: The declaration "we will come no more unto thee" is a dangerous path. We are called to consistently seek God, through prayer, His Word, and fellowship, ensuring we do not drift away from the source of life and truth.

This verse reminds us that God's goodness is constant, and our spiritual well-being depends on acknowledging Him as our ultimate Lord and source of life.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 32:15

    ¶ But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered [with fatness]; then he forsook God [which] made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

  • 2 Samuel 12:7

    And Nathan said to David, Thou [art] the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

  • 2 Samuel 12:9

    Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife [to be] thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

  • Nehemiah 9:21

    Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, [so that] they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.

  • Nehemiah 9:25

    And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.

  • Malachi 3:9

    Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation.

  • Malachi 3:11

    And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

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