What does Jeremiah 2:27 mean?
"Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us." - Jeremiah 2:27
Jeremiah 2:27 from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads, "Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us."
This verse is part of the book of Jeremiah, which is a prophetic book in the Old Testament. Jeremiah was a prophet who lived during a tumultuous time in the history of Israel, when the kingdom was divided and the people were committing idolatry and turning away from God. In this verse, Jeremiah is speaking on behalf of God, condemning the people for their worship of false gods and their rejection of the one true God.
The verse begins by describing the people as saying to a stock (or wooden idol), "Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth." This language emphasizes the absurdity of the people's idolatry, as they are treating lifeless objects as if they were their creators and fathers. The use of the word "stock" also carries connotations of something dead and lifeless, highlighting the futility of worshiping such objects.
The verse then goes on to say, "for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us." This part of the verse speaks to the unfaithfulness and hypocrisy of the people. Despite turning away from God and worshiping idols, they are quick to call upon Him in times of trouble, hoping for salvation and deliverance.
There are several important themes and messages in this verse. One theme is the sin of idolatry and the folly of worshiping false gods. Throughout the Bible, idolatry is condemned as a grave sin, as it involves giving worship and devotion to something other than the one true God. In this verse, the people's worship of wooden stocks and stones is portrayed as senseless and ultimately futile. They are turning to lifeless objects for guidance and protection, instead of to the living God who created them.
Another theme in this verse is the concept of faithfulness and loyalty. The people are depicted as turning their backs on God and rejecting Him, yet they still expect Him to come to their aid when they are in trouble. This reflects the human tendency to seek God only in times of crisis, rather than maintaining a consistent relationship with Him. It also emphasizes the unfaithfulness of the people, who are quick to abandon God in favor of idols, but just as quick to call on Him when they need help.
There is also a theme of God's sovereignty and power in this verse. Despite the people's unfaithfulness and rejection of Him, God is still portrayed as the ultimate source of salvation and deliverance. The people may turn to idols in their time of trouble, but ultimately, it is God alone who can truly save them. This speaks to the unfailing nature of God's love and His willingness to forgive and rescue His people, even when they have strayed from Him.
In terms of symbolism, the stock and stone mentioned in the verse represent the false gods and idols that the people are worshiping. These lifeless objects are contrasted with the living and powerful God who is being rejected. The imagery of the people turning their backs on God also symbolizes their rejection and defiance of Him, as well as their refusal to acknowledge His presence and authority in their lives.
Overall, Jeremiah 2:27 is a powerful and convicting passage that addresses the themes of idolatry, faithfulness, and God's sovereignty. It serves as a warning against turning away from the one true God and emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful and loyal to Him. The verse also highlights the futility of seeking salvation in anything other than God, and the ultimate power and authority that He holds over His people.
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Jeremiah 2:27 Artwork
Jeremiah 2:27 - "Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us."
"Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us." - Jeremiah 2:27
Jeremiah 27:2 - "Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck,"
Jeremiah 2:7 - "And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination."
Jeremiah 27:2 "Thus says the Lord to me: 'Make for yourselves bonds and yokes, and put them on your neck,
Jeremiah 36:27 - "¶ Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,"
Jeremiah 29:27 - "Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth, which maketh himself a prophet to you?"
Jeremiah 27:1 - "In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,"
Jeremiah 22:27 - "But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return."
"Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck," - Jeremiah 27:2
Jeremiah 49:27 - "And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Ben-hadad."
Jeremiah 38:27 - "Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived."
Jeremiah 5:27 - "As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich."
Jeremiah 27:17 - "Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?"
Jeremiah 32:27 - "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?"
Jeremiah 4:27 - "For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end."
"And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination." - Jeremiah 2:7
"¶ Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying," - Jeremiah 36:27
Jeremiah 6:27 - "I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way."
Jeremiah 31:27 - "¶ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast."
Jeremiah 27:19 - "¶ For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city,"
Jeremiah 48:27 - "For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy."
"Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth, which maketh himself a prophet to you?" - Jeremiah 29:27
Jeremiah 27:21 - "Yea, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem;"
Jeremiah 50:27 - "Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation."
"But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return." - Jeremiah 22:27
"In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying," - Jeremiah 27:1
Jeremiah 27:13 - "Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?"
Jeremiah 7:27 - "Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee."
Jeremiah 27:22 - "They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the LORD; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place."