2:8 2:8

Jeremiah 2:9

2:10 2:10

Bible Versions

¶ Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead.
Wherefore I will yet plead {H7378} with you, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, and with your children's {H1121} children {H1121} will I plead {H7378}.
"So again I state my case against you," says ADONAI, "and state it against your grandchildren too.
Therefore, I will contend with you again, declares the LORD, and I will bring a case against your children’s children.
Wherefore I will yet contend with you, saith Jehovah, and with your children’s children will I contend.

Context

Jeremiah 2:9 is situated within the prophet Jeremiah's early ministry to the kingdom of Judah, prior to the devastating Babylonian exile. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 2:1-8) recount the LORD's deep disappointment and grief over Israel's spiritual decline and abandonment of Him. God recalls their initial devotion, contrasting it sharply with their current state of idolatry and unfaithfulness. Instead of remaining loyal to the God who delivered them from Egypt and led them through the wilderness, they had forsaken Him for worthless idols. This verse emphasizes God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even in their rebellion, by declaring His continued "pleading" with them and future generations.

Key Themes

  • God's Persistent Justice and Patience: The LORD declares His intention to continue His case against Israel. The word "plead" signifies not just a gentle request but a firm, persistent argument or even a legal dispute. This highlights God's righteous character, His commitment to justice, and His incredible patience, as He does not immediately abandon His errant people but continues to call them to account. This echoes themes of the Lord being merciful and gracious, slow to anger.
  • Generational Accountability: God's pleading extends not only to the present generation but also to "your children's children." This underscores the idea that spiritual unfaithfulness and its consequences can span multiple generations, and God's call for repentance and accountability persists through time. It also implies God's long-term perspective on His relationship with His people and the potential for the consequences of idolatry spanning generations.
  • Covenant Lawsuit: The language of "pleading" (Hebrew: rib) often carries the connotation of a legal dispute or a covenant lawsuit. God is presenting His case against Israel for breaking the covenant He made with them, outlining their transgressions and calling them to answer for their actions.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "plead" is rib (רִיב). This term is significant because it's not merely a soft entreaty. It denotes a legal contention, a dispute, or a lawsuit. When God says "I will yet rib with you," it means He intends to maintain His case, to argue His cause against Israel's unfaithfulness. It conveys a strong sense of divine righteousness asserting itself against human rebellion, presenting evidence of their wrongdoing and demanding a response.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 2:9 reminds us of several important truths:

  • God's Enduring Call: Even when we stray, God does not easily give up on us. He continues to call us to repentance and reconciliation, demonstrating His unwavering love and justice. We are continually offered the call to repentance and renewal.
  • Seriousness of Sin: The "pleading" indicates the gravity of turning away from God. Sin is not trivial; it is a breach of covenant that God takes seriously enough to "plead" His case over.
  • Generational Impact: Our spiritual choices have implications beyond ourselves. Our faithfulness or unfaithfulness can affect future generations, emphasizing the importance of living a life that honors God and sets a godly example.

Reflection

This verse beautifully encapsulates God's character: His righteous indignation against sin, His unwavering commitment to His covenant, and His profound, persistent patience. He doesn't abandon His people but continues to engage with them, even across generations, calling them to account and to return to Him. It's a powerful reminder of God's steadfast love that endures even in the face of human rebellion.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 20:35

    And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.

  • Ezekiel 20:36

    Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Jeremiah 2:35

    Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.

  • Micah 6:2

    Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.

  • Exodus 20:5

    Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;

  • Isaiah 43:26

    Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

  • Leviticus 20:5

    Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people.
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