"Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery and assembled at the houses of prostitutes. Why should I forgive you?This phrase begins with a rhetorical question posed by God through the prophet Jeremiah. The Hebrew root for "forgive" is "סָלַח" (salach), which implies a lifting or removal of guilt. In the context of ancient Israel, forgiveness was not merely a personal or emotional release but a divine act that restored covenantal relationships. The question underscores the gravity of Israel's sin and the divine justice that demands accountability. It challenges the reader to consider the seriousness of sin and the conditions necessary for divine forgiveness. Your children have forsaken Me
The word "forsaken" comes from the Hebrew "עָזַב" (azab), meaning to leave, abandon, or desert. This phrase highlights the generational impact of Israel's unfaithfulness. Historically, the Israelites were in a covenant relationship with God, which required loyalty and obedience. The forsaking of God by the children signifies a breakdown in the transmission of faith and values, leading to societal decay. It serves as a warning about the importance of teaching and living out faith in every generation. and sworn by gods that are not gods
The act of swearing by other gods indicates a breach of the first commandment, which forbids idolatry. The Hebrew word for "sworn" is "שָׁבַע" (shaba), meaning to take an oath. This phrase reflects the historical context of syncretism in ancient Israel, where the worship of Yahweh was often mixed with the worship of Canaanite deities. The phrase "gods that are not gods" emphasizes the futility and deception of idolatry, as these so-called gods have no real power or existence. It calls believers to exclusive devotion to the one true God. I satisfied their needs
The Hebrew root for "satisfied" is "שָׂבַע" (saba), which means to fill or to be full. This phrase recalls God's provision and faithfulness to Israel, despite their unfaithfulness. Historically, God provided for Israel in the wilderness and in the Promised Land, meeting their physical and spiritual needs. This divine provision is a testament to God's grace and mercy, even when His people are undeserving. It serves as a reminder of God's abundant blessings and the call to gratitude and faithfulness. yet they committed adultery
The term "adultery" in Hebrew is "נָאַף" (na'aph), which can refer to both physical and spiritual unfaithfulness. In the prophetic literature, adultery is often used metaphorically to describe Israel's idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. This phrase highlights the betrayal of the intimate relationship between God and His people. It serves as a powerful image of the pain and injustice of unfaithfulness, calling believers to examine their own hearts and remain true to their covenant with God. and assembled themselves in the houses of prostitutes
The imagery of "houses of prostitutes" is a stark depiction of Israel's spiritual infidelity. The Hebrew word for "prostitutes" is "זוֹנָה" (zonah), which can also mean harlot or whore. This phrase not only refers to literal acts of immorality but also symbolizes the spiritual prostitution of Israel as they pursued other gods. In the historical context, such practices were often associated with pagan worship rituals. This imagery serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the call to purity and holiness in worship. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah. 2. Children of IsraelThe descendants of Jacob, also known as the Israelites, who are being addressed in this passage for their unfaithfulness to God. 3. False godsIdols or deities that the Israelites swore by, representing their spiritual adultery and departure from worshiping the one true God. 4. Houses of prostitutesSymbolic of the spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry of the Israelites, often used metaphorically in the Bible to describe infidelity to God. 5. GodThe one true God, Yahweh, who is expressing His righteous anger and disappointment over the unfaithfulness of His people. Teaching Points Faithfulness to GodJust as the Israelites were called to be faithful to God, we are called to remain true to Him in our daily lives, avoiding modern forms of idolatry. Consequences of IdolatryThe passage warns of the spiritual and moral decline that results from turning away from God, reminding us of the importance of staying committed to Him. God's Provision and Our ResponseDespite God's provision and care, the Israelites turned away. We should reflect on how we respond to God's blessings and ensure our gratitude leads to deeper devotion. Repentance and ForgivenessWhile God questions why He should forgive, the broader biblical account shows His willingness to forgive those who genuinely repent. We should seek His forgiveness and strive to turn from sin. Spiritual AdulteryThe metaphor of adultery challenges us to examine our own lives for areas where we may be unfaithful to God, whether through priorities, relationships, or other distractions. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern-day "gods" or idols that can distract us from our relationship with God, and how can we guard against them? 2. How does understanding the historical context of Israel's idolatry help us apply this passage to our lives today? 3. In what ways can we ensure that we are responding to God's provision with gratitude and faithfulness rather than taking His blessings for granted? 4. How can the metaphor of spiritual adultery be a useful tool for self-examination in our walk with God? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's forgiveness. How can this passage encourage you to extend forgiveness to others? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-5This passage connects to the first and second commandments, where God commands His people to have no other gods and not to make idols, highlighting the Israelites' disobedience. Hosea 4:12-14Similar themes of spiritual adultery and idolatry are present, where the prophet Hosea speaks against Israel's unfaithfulness. James 4:4The New Testament also uses the metaphor of adultery to describe friendship with the world as enmity with God, drawing a parallel to the spiritual unfaithfulness seen in Jeremiah. 1 Corinthians 10:14Paul urges believers to flee from idolatry, echoing the call to faithfulness found in Jeremiah. Psalm 81:11-12This Psalm reflects on Israel's refusal to listen to God and the resulting consequences, similar to the themes in Jeremiah 5:7. People Jacob, JeremiahPlaces JerusalemTopics Adultery, Assembled, Commit, Committed, Fed, Forgiveness, Forsaken, Full, Gather, Gods, Harlot, Harlots, Harlot's, Houses, Loose, Measure, Needs, No-gods, Oaths, Pardon, Pleasure, Possible, Propitious, Prostitutes, Satiated, Satisfied, Satisfy, Sons, Supplied, Swear, Sworn, Taking, Themselves, Thronged, Troop, Trooped, Troops, Wherefore, Wives, Women, YetDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 5:7 6239 prostitution
8844 unforgiveness Jeremiah 5:5-7 8705 apostasy, in OT Jeremiah 5:7-8 6242 adultery
6243 adultery, spiritual Jeremiah 5:7-9 5493 retribution Library A Question for the Beginning
'What will ye do in the end?'--JER. v. 31. I find that I preached to the young from this text just thirty years since--nearly a generation ago. How few of my then congregation are here to-night! how changed they and I are! and how much nearer the close we have drifted! How many of the young men and women of that evening have gone to meet the end, and how many of them have wrecked their lives because they would not face and answer this question! Ah, dear young friends, if I could bring some of the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureStorming the Battlements
Jerusalem had sinned against God; she had rebelled against the most High, had set up for herself false gods, and bowed before them; and when God threatened her with chastisement, she built around herself strong battlements and bastions. She said "I am safe and secure. What though Jehovah hath gone away, I will trust in the gods of nations. Though the Temple is cast down, yet we will rely upon these bulwarks and strong fortifications that we have erected." "Ah!" says God, "Jerusalem, I will punish …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855 God's Barriers against Man's Sin
I am slowly rallying. My great struggle now is with weakness. I feel as if my frail bark had weathered a heavy storm which has made every timber creak. Do not attribute this illness to my having laboured too hard for my Master. For his dear sake, I would that I may yet be able to labour more. Such toils as might be hardly noticed in the ramp for the service of one's country, would excite astonishment in the church for the service of our God. And now, I entreat you for love's sake to continue in prayer …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 Tithing
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal. 3:10). Down deep in the heart of every Christian there is undoubtedly the conviction that he ought to tithe. There is an uneasy feeling that this is a duty which has been neglected, or, if you prefer it, a privilege that has not been …
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing How those who Fear Scourges and those who Contemn them are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 14.) Differently to be admonished are those who fear scourges, and on that account live innocently, and those who have grown so hard in wickedness as not to be corrected even by scourges. For those who fear scourges are to be told by no means to desire temporal goods as being of great account, seeing that bad men also have them, and by no means to shun present evils as intolerable, seeing they are not ignorant how for the most part good men also are touched by them. They are to be admonished …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Purpose in the Coming of Jesus.
God Spelling Himself out in Jesus: change in the original language--bother in spelling Jesus out--sticklers for the old forms--Jesus' new spelling of old words. Jesus is God following us up: God heart-broken--man's native air--bad choice affected man's will--the wrong lane--God following us up. The Early Eden Picture, Genesis 1:26-31. 2:7-25: unfallen man--like God--the breath of God in man--a spirit, infinite, eternal--love--holy--wise--sovereign over creation, Psalm 8:5-8--in his own will--summary--God's …
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus Purposes of God.
In discussing this subject I shall endeavor to show, I. What I understand by the purposes of God. Purposes, in this discussion, I shall use as synonymous with design, intention. The purposes of God must be ultimate and proximate. That is, God has and must have an ultimate end. He must purpose to accomplish something by his works and providence, which he regards as a good in itself, or as valuable to himself, and to being in general. This I call his ultimate end. That God has such an end or purpose, …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology "And Hereby we do Know that we Know Him, if we Keep his Commandments. "
1 John ii. 3.--"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." This age pretends to much knowledge beyond former ages, knowledge, I say, not only in other natural arts and sciences, but especially in religion. Whether there be any great advancement in other knowledge, and improvement of that which was, to a further extent and clearness, I cannot judge, but I believe there is not much of it in this nation, nor do we so much pretend to it. But, we talk of the enlargements of …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 "If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, He is None of His. "
Rom. viii. 9.--"If so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" 2 Chron. vi. 18. It was the wonder of one of the wisest of men, and indeed, considering his infinite highness above the height of heavens, his immense and incomprehensible greatness, that the heaven of heavens cannot contain him, and then the baseness, emptiness, and worthlessness of man, it may be a wonder to the …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
To declare emphatically that the people of God are a covenant people, various signs were in sovereignty vouchsafed. The lights in the firmament of heaven were appointed to be for signs, affording direction to the mariner, the husbandman, and others. Miracles wrought on memorable occasions, were constituted signs or tokens of God's universal government. The gracious grant of covenant signs was made in order to proclaim the truth of the existence of God's covenant with his people, to urge the performance …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting The Acceptable Sacrifice;
OR, THE EXCELLENCY OF A BROKEN HEART: SHOWING THE NATURE, SIGNS, AND PROPER EFFECTS OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT. BEING THE LAST WORKS OF THAT EMINENT PREACHER AND FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, MR. JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. WITH A PREFACE PREFIXED THEREUNTO BY AN EMINENT MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN LONDON. London: Sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgates, 1692. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The very excellent preface to this treatise, written by George Cokayn, will inform the reader of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Of the Nature of Regeneration, and Particularly of the Change it Produces in Men's Apprehensions.
2 COR. v. 17. 2 COR. v. 17. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. THE knowledge of our true state in religion, is at once a matter of so great importance, and so great difficulty that, in order to obtain it, it is necessary we should have line upon line and precept upon precept. The plain discourse, which you before heard, was intended to lead you into it; and I question not but I then said enough to convince many, that they were …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Jeremiah 5:7 NIVJeremiah 5:7 NLTJeremiah 5:7 ESVJeremiah 5:7 NASBJeremiah 5:7 KJV
Jeremiah 5:7 Commentaries
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