Bible Points

In the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah was dispatched by God to give a message to God’s people. In chapter two we find these words, “Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, In a land not sown.

In this verse, God speaks to the children of Israel as He would a wife who went after other lovers. Later in chapter three God would say to His people: “”Return, O backsliding children,” says the LORD; “for I am married to you…” (Jeremiah 3:14 ) So in chapter two God begins to lament concerning His people’s backslidden condition. He was grieving that His people had turned their backs on Him and played the harlot.

God says “I remember you…” There are some things that we would like to forget. Obviously, here God is remembering the nation of Israel before she turned away from God to pursue other interests. Perhaps there are some reading this article who have bitter memories of love gone sour. You would much rather forget the time when love was in full bloom, because associated with these memories is hurt and pain.

God goes on to say “I remember…the kindness of your youth.” For many couples it is in the youth of marriage that everything is so nice. The husband opens the door for his new wife. The wife doesn’t mind keeping the home clean for her new husband. She cooks has favorite meals. They are constantly holding hands and cuddling up next to each another every chance they get. There used to be a time when couples were on guard for the “seven-year-itch” But now research shows they are far more likely to separate after about two years of marriage. God tells Israel that He remembers the kindness of her youth. Then He tells Israel He remember the “love of her betrothal.” This was like the engagement of today but with a greater commitment. In fact the Jewish betrothal was binding like marriage. The actual marriage took place when their union was consummated on the wedding night. It was during the betrothal that love blossomed. During this time the bridegroom would prepare a wedding chamber for the honeymoon. This chamber was typically built in the bridegroom’s father’s house or on his father’s property. The wedding chamber had to be a beautiful place to bring the bride.

In Jeremiah 2:7 God tells Israel he had prepared for them a beautiful wedding chamber: “ I brought you into a bountiful country, To eat its fruit and its goodness.” In other words, Israel was set. God had given her everything she could ever need. God had prepared the wedding chamber—it was a land “flowing with milk and honey.” While the groom was preparing the wedding chamber, the bride was considered to be consecrated, set apart or “bought with a price”. If she went out, she would wear a veil so others would know she was betrothed. During this time she prepared herself for the marriage. She likely had saved money all her life for this time. She would purchase expensive cosmetics and learn to apply them to make herself more beautiful for the bridegroom.

God continues in Jeremiah 2:2, “I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, In a land not sown.” God is saying that He can remember when all (His bride) Israel thought about was Him. God was not only her lover, He was her protector. He was her shield. In verse three He says, “Israel was holiness to the LORD, The firstfruits of His increase. All that devour him will offend; Disaster will come upon them,” says the LORD.’” Israel was set apart to the Lord—she belonged to Him! Anyone who came against the nation of Israel, God would come against them. Israel basked in this love; she relaxed in God’s provision and protection.

Some of you may be able to remember the days when you first got saved.  You remember the sweetness of the relationship you had with the Lord.  You remember the passion and the fervor you had for the things of the Lord.  You remember the days when you didn’t get tired of praying.  You may remember the days when you couldn’t put down the Word of God.  You may remember the days when all you could talk about was your Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!  Like the Jewish bride-to-be you took you took pains to make yourself more attractive for the Savior; you wanted to live your best for Him.  You went to church because you knew His presence would be there in abundance.  You went to prayer meeting and Bible study because you knew that He would be praised, worshipped, adored and spoken of in reverence.  You couldn’t get enough of Him.  But there is something about human nature that happens once a couple has been married for a while.  Many of our sisters, who wouldn’t have been caught with rollers and pins in their hair in the presence of their intended, begin to loosen up.  Many of our brothers, who would make double sure they were bathed and clean shaven if they intended to spend time with their lady friend, begin to loosen up.  Once they have bagged their prey, they no longer feel the need to look “good.” 

I am reminded of the story of a man who fell in love with an opera singer. He fell in love with her voice without really getting to know her. All he knew was that she had a beautiful singing voice. After courting her and a whirl-wind marriage, they began their honeymoon. At the hotel, she disappeared into the bathroom where she removed her false eyelashes, her wig, her false teeth, her makeup, and her artificial leg. She reappeared at the bathroom door and asked, “What do you think?” He replied, “Sing baby, sing!”

When Adam saw his wife for the first time He shouts, ”bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh!” After sin enters the world, 14 verses later it was, “This woman you gave me…” God says to Israel: “I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, In a land not sown.” Just like God remembered Israel for the “kindness of her youth, the love of her betrothal, When she went after Him in the wilderness, In a land not sown” He remembers how you were when you were still madly in love with Him. But for some of us things have changed. We no longer adore the Savior—we present ourselves to Him just any old way.