Read Jeremiah 2 at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
2:1-3 {p} Israel’s former love for YHVH/ he is His firstfruits, disaster will come upon all who devour him
2:4-28 {s} How has YHVH wronged Israel, that they have forsaken Him for gods that are not gods
2:29-3:5 {p} …
The Chiastic structure:
The priests who were supposed to care for the spiritual life of the nation did not inquire after YHVH or seek Him. Those who “handle” the Law, or Torah—Levites, judges, scribes, and lawyers—who were supposed to be versed in it, did not even know God. There was no relationship there. The shepherds—(the KJV has pastors here)—those who care for the sheep of YHVH’s pasture (that’s me and you)—were the ones transgressing. That’s not an occasional slip, it’s outright rebellion. And the prophets prophesied Baal’s words, not God’s.
But God never leaves His people in a morass like this without a solution. Jeremiah begins to unpack it in the very next chapter:
And I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will shepherd you with knowledge and understanding. Jer 3:15
Nurture, not neglect. It’s on the horizon for God’s people.
Why This Matters: God hates it when those He puts in authority to serve others, use it to abuse and oppress instead of encourage and uplift. If you are an abuser of authority, repent today and humble yourself before God. For He will take you down one way or another, and it is far better for you (and less painful) to come voluntarily broken at the foot of the cross rather than wait to be crushed to dust (Mat 21:44). And if you are being abused, get out, if you can, or cry out to God for an avenue of escape. His ears are open to the cries of the vulnerable!
If there are questions, this is a good resource:
God has regard for the vulnerable – Christine Miller
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