Jeremiah (1-31) 11:15 Commentary and Bible Study

The Lord represents himself as a husband whose wife has committed adultery on many occasions, and who then comes home and expects to be well received. She comes into the house as if nothing has happened, either because she thinks he does not know, or he will be so happy to have her back that he will forget all she has done. Either way, she has done evil which she fails to take seriously. ‘Seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many.’ Israel was in a covenant relationship with the Lord, but in the prophets God also speaks of her as betrothed to him. In going after idols, she is like a wife who has committed idolatry with many. She knew when she was betrothed to the Lord that the terms of her betrothal was that she would be faithful to one husband, and keep herself to him alone, just as every wife vows to her husband on her wedding day. ‘And the holy flesh is passed from thee.’ Some interpret this of the sacrifices which were no longer offered, or were offered with wrong evil motives and without understanding. Instead they made offerings to their idols, which ought to have been offered to God only. The same words occur in Hosea 2:12 where they are used in this way. Others, Gill tells us, refer it to the loss of holy and good men from among Israel. Could it be an extension of the metaphor of adultery, and the loss of purity of Israel who should have been a pure spouse (Ephesians 5:27)? All this was committed without the least regret, and indeed, rather than being ashamed, Israel rejoiced in her sins, showing how badly her conscience had been damaged. Changed the metaphor Jeremiah says, ‘The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit.’ God called her a beautiful thriving olive tree, which could be expected to produce fruit for all the household for years to come. Everything was done to her to make her fruitful. She was planted in the best of soil, enclosed by a protective wall, tended by a skilled gardener, and allowed to grow to maturity. It was completely reasonable to look for a good crop from her, but nothing came. Therefore the owner has deliberately destroyed his own plantation – ‘with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken’ – another image of the imminent invasion and destruction of the nation. All this has come because of her persistent sin, and in particular for her idolatry. Those to whom God gives most light, and most spiritual opportunity, will be most severely judged if they reject it all.