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The Jews were a people prone to idolatry. Though favoured with peculiar privileges, they were "bent to backsliding." At the time when these words were addressed to them, Josiah sat on the throne. He was a pious king and strove to uproot idolatry. His efforts were seconded by Jeremiah; but both king and prophet failed. Many years before, the ten tribes of Israel, for their apostasy, had been carried into captivity. "And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto Me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the Lord" (ver. 10). This state of things deeply affected the prophet's mind, and caused him to give utterance to the most plaintive and pathetic language.

I. THE CHARACTERS ADDRESSED. "Backsliding children."

1. These are undutiful children. They have proved unfaithful to their solemn vows and sacred obligations — to their Christian brethren — to their God and Father. He said, "Surely they are My people, children that will not lie"; but they "turned back and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers; they were turned aside like a deceitful bow." What crime can equal that of rebellion against parental authority? An unfaithful servant or steward is bad enough, but an unfaithful, undutiful child is vastly worse.

2. Ungrateful children. And theirs is ingratitude of the basest kind. It resembles the ingratitude of a freed slave who forgets his emancipator, and sells himself again into bondage.

3. Unwise children. Are they not unwise who forsake their own mercies and follow after lying vanities; who prefer broken cisterns to the fountain of living waters?

4. Unhappy children. They are often unhappy in their circumstances. Others may enjoy the world, but they cannot. Recollections of their "lost Paradise," and apprehensions of future wrath, tend to embitter every earthly comfort.

5. Unsafe children. Heaven's just wrath is awakened against them. Hell's blackest gloom and fiercest flame await them.

6. But children still though they have forfeited the privileges of adoption, and have been deprived of the witness of the Spirit, their relation to God as their Creator is not dissolved, and their former interest in His favour is not forgotten.

II. THE INVITATION GIVEN. "Return."

1. By sincere repentance.

2. Earnest prayer.

3. Evangelical faith — faith in Christ.

4. Renewed self-dedication.

III. THE PROMISE MADE. "I will heal your backslidings." The Lord heals backslidings in many ways, — frequently by restoring.

1. Providential blessings. Many men are chastised here that they may not be punished hereafter. The Israelites never departed from God without feeling the effects of His displeasure in their temporal circumstances.

2. Peace of conscience.

3. Purity of heart. How polluted is the heart of a backslider! His last state is worse than his first.

4. Honour and usefulness.

(J. Hodgson.)

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KJV: A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God.

WEB: A voice is heard on the bare heights, the weeping [and] the petitions of the children of Israel; because they have perverted their way, they have forgotten Yahweh their God.