For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD.
The people of Israel and Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight from the time they were young as a nation. The Israelites have done nothing but make me angry with the things they have made with their own hands, says the LORD.
God is expressing His deep disappointment that His people have consistently chosen to do wrong and worship idols throughout their entire history as a nation.
📚 Historical Context
Jeremiah was a prophet in ancient Judah during the 7th and 6th centuries BC, a time when the nation was facing invasion from the Babylonian empire due to their ongoing idolatry and disobedience to God's laws. This verse highlights God's judgment on both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah for their persistent evil actions, such as worshiping false gods and ignoring His covenants, which had been a pattern since their early history as nations. It was spoken amid the siege of Jerusalem, underscoring the consequences of their unfaithfulness that led to exile.
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