Parched - Prepare The Way #2

Jeremiah 2:1-13 ESV

Israel Forsakes the LORD

[1] The word of the LORD came to me, saying, [2] “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the LORD,

“I remember the devotion of your youth,

your love as a bride,

how you followed me in the wilderness,

in a land not sown.

[3] Israel was holy to the LORD,

the firstfruits of his harvest.

All who ate of it incurred guilt;

disaster came upon them,

declares the LORD.”

[4] Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the clans of the house of Israel. [5] Thus says the LORD:

“What wrong did your fathers find in me

that they went far from me,

and went after worthlessness, and became worthless?

[6] They did not say, ‘Where is the LORD

who brought us up from the land of Egypt,

who led us in the wilderness,

in a land of deserts and pits,

in a land of drought and deep darkness,

in a land that none passes through,

where no man dwells?’

[7] And I brought you into a plentiful land

to enjoy its fruits and its good things.

But when you came in, you defiled my land

and made my heritage an abomination.

[8] The priests did not say, ‘Where is the LORD?’

Those who handle the law did not know me;

the shepherds transgressed against me;

the prophets prophesied by Baal

and went after things that do not profit.

[9] “Therefore I still contend with you,

declares the LORD,

and with your children’s children I will contend.

[10] For cross to the coasts of Cyprus and see,

or send to Kedar and examine with care;

see if there has been such a thing.

[11] Has a nation changed its gods,

even though they are no gods?

But my people have changed their glory

for that which does not profit.

[12] Be appalled, O heavens, at this;

be shocked, be utterly desolate,

declares the LORD,

[13] for my people have committed two evils:

they have forsaken me,

the fountain of living waters,

and hewed out cisterns for themselves,

broken cisterns that can hold no water.