The Cistern is Broken

The following passage in Jeremiah 2 is the accusation of YHVH against a rebellious people. The indictment of adultery and idolatry ring loud in the court. Jeremiah prophesied during the latter part of the 7th century BC and declared the judgment of YHVH on Israel because of their return to idolatry.

Because Israel had forsaken YHVH, the covenant was broken; Solomon’s temple was destroyed and Israel went into captivity in Babylon 585 BC as Jeremiah had prophesied. 

Jeremiah’s calling happened during the time of King Josiah, son of Manasseh, son of Hezekiah. It was Manasseh’s rule that saw the people fall back into pagan worship despite the righteous rule of his father Hezekiah. Unsuccessfully, Josiah failed to turn the people back to repentance and thus with the word of the Lord burning in his mouth, Jeremiah prophesied.

Jeremiah 2Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

2 The word of Adonai came to me: 2 “Go and shout in the ears of Yerushalayim that this is what Adonai says:

‘I remember your devotion when you were young;

how, as a bride, you loved me;

how you followed me through the desert,

through a land not sown.

3 “‘Isra’el is set aside for Adonai,

the firstfruits of his harvest;

all who devour him will incur guilt;

evil will befall them,” says Adonai.

4 Hear the word of Adonai, house of Ya‘akov

and all families in the house of Isra’el;

5 here is what Adonai says:

“What did your ancestors find wrong with me

to make them go so far away from me,

to make them go after nothings

and become themselves nothings?