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?
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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.
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
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:
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.