Jeremiah 2:1 to Jeremiah 4:4. These Chapter s belong to the time of Josiah (626ff. B.C.), and contain some of the earliest prophecies of Jeremiah. Their central thought is the faithlessness of the people as Yahweh's bride, an idea developed in the previous century by Hosea. Note that the name Israel frequently denotes the whole people, including both kingdoms, sometimes (cf. Jeremiah 3:6 ff.) the northern kingdom only, in contrast with the southern. The aim of the prophet is naturally to rebuke the infidelity of the surviving Judah, but, in order to do this, he reviews the conduct and character of the Hebrew nation.
Jeremiah 2:1-3. Early Loyalty and Security. The prophet reminds the people of its desert wanderings, when it loved Yahweh as a young bride does her husband. In those days, Israel was safe from all interference, like a gift laid on the altar, Yahweh's first-fruits (Exodus 23:19). This idealisation of the nomadic period was carried furthest by the Rechabites (Jeremiah 35), who abstained from the civilisation of Canaan.
Jeremiah 2:3, holiness: lit. a consecrated thing, the word has no moral significance here; Israel was under taboo, and so inviolable.