Read Jeremiah 2:1-13
We appreciate a friend who remains true to his or her commitment, and we are disappointed with someone who fails to keep a promise. God was pleased when His people obeyed initially, but He became angry with them when they refused to keep their commitment. Temptations distract us from God. Think about your original commitment to obey God, and ask yourself if you are remaining truly devoted.
The first fruits, or the first part, of the harvest were set aside for God (Deuteronomy 26). That’s how dedicated Israel was dedicated to Him in years gone by. Israel had been as eager to please God as if she were His young bride, a holy, devoted people. This contrasted greatly with the situation in Jeremiah’s time.
Baal was the chief male god of the Canaanite religion. Baal was worshiped in many centers in Canaanite practice. Baal was the god of fertility. Worship of Baal included animal sacrifice and sacred prostitution in the high places. Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, introduced Baal worship into the northern kingdom, and eventually it spread to Judah. The sexual orientation of this worship was a constant temptation to the Israelites, who were called to be holy.
Jeremiah knew Israel’s history well. The prophets recited history to the people for several reasons: 1) to remind them of God’s faithfulness; 2) to make sure the people wouldn’t for get; 3) to emphasize God’s love for them; 4) to remind the people that there was a time when they were close to God. We should learn from history, so we can build on the success and avoid repeating the failures of others.
God said that even pagan nations like Cyprus and Kedar remained loyal to their national gods. But Israel had abandoned the one and only God for a completely worthless object of worship.
Who would set aside a fountain of living water for a cracked cistern, a pit that collected rainwater but could not hold it? God told the Israelites that they were doing that very thing when they turned from Him, the fountain of living water, to the worship of idols. Not only that, but the cisterns they chose were broken and empty. The people had built religious systems in which to store truth, but those systems were worthless. Why should we cling to the broken promises of money, power, religious systems, or whatever transitory thing we are putting in place of God, when God promises to constantly refresh us with living water (John 4)?