Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land [that was] not sown.
Ver. 2. Go thou and cry.] For if I myself should do it immediately from heaven, my stillest rhetoric would be too loud for them. Deu 5:27-28
I remember thee.] Who hast forgot thy first love and loyalty to me. Or, "I remember," that is, I put thee in mind of the kindness that hath been between us. Augustus might have some such meaning in those last words of his to his wife when he lay a dying, ‘O Livia, remember our marriage, and adieu.' It is thought she had a hand in setting him going, and that she was too familiar with Eudemus the physician. Qui specie artis frequens secretis, saith Tacitus. Peccatum est deicidium.
The kindness of thy youth.] When thou camest out of Egypt after me, and wast espoused unto me at the giving of the law. We use highly to prize nettle buds when they first put forth, so doth God our young services. Others render it thus: I record the mercy showed to thee in thy youth, and the love of thy espousals - sc., whenas I loved thee because I loved thee, and for no other reason. Deu 7:7-8
When thou wentest after me in the wilderness.] God takes it kindly when men will choose him, and his ways in affliction, as did Moses. Heb 11:25 "Who is this that cometh from the wilderness" - from troubles and afflictions - "leaning on her beloved?" Son 8:5