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
This verse comes during the final years before Jerusalem's destruction by Babylon in 586 BC. Jeremiah was prophesying during King Zedekiah's reign, when the nation was about to face judgment for centuries of unfaithfulness. The reference to 'the work of their hands' specifically points to the idol worship that had plagued both the northern kingdom (Israel) and southern kingdom (Judah) throughout their history.
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