Movatterモバイル変換

Jeremiah 3:8,22
And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also…

Hosea 4:16
For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.

Hosea 11:7
And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalthim.

justified

Ezekiel 16:47,51,52
Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, asif that were a very littlething, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways…

Ezekiel 23:11
And when her sister Aholibah sawthis, she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she, and in her whoredoms more than her sister inher whoredoms.

Faithless Israel
"Faithless" refers to Israel's spiritual adultery and idolatry, as the northern kingdom had turned away from God to worship other deities. Historically, Israel (the northern kingdom) had been taken into Assyrian captivity around 722 BC due to their persistent unfaithfulness. This term highlights the covenantal breach between God and His people.

has shown herself more righteous
This comparison is striking, as Israel was often condemned for its idolatry. However, in this context, it suggests that despite Israel's sins, Judah's actions were even more egregious. The term "more righteous" is relative, indicating that Judah's betrayal was more severe in light of their greater knowledge and proximity to the temple in Jerusalem.

than unfaithful Judah
Judah, the southern kingdom, had the advantage of the temple and the Davidic line, yet they too fell into idolatry and moral decay. This phrase highlights Judah's greater accountability and failure, as they had witnessed Israel's downfall but did not learn from it. Historically, Judah's unfaithfulness led to the Babylonian exile in 586 BC. This comparison serves as a warning and a call to repentance, emphasizing the seriousness of Judah's spiritual infidelity.

God Himself speaks directly to Jeremiah, underscoring that this verdict is not human opinion but divine assessment (Jeremiah 1:4-9;2 Timothy 3:16).

• The authority of the message demands our attention and obedience, just as when “the word of the LORD came” to prophets like Isaiah (Isaiah 1:10) and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:10-11).

• Because Scripture is “breathed out by God,” the statement that follows carries absolute truth, not mere comparison or guesswork (2 Peter 1:21).

Israel—the northern kingdom—had long been called “backsliding” or “faithless” (Jeremiah 3:6-8), having chased after idols since Jeroboam’s golden calves (1 Kings 12:28-30).

• Hosea portrayed this spiritual adultery vividly (Hosea 4:17);2 Kings 17:7-18 records the exile that resulted.

• Even so, God still addresses them as His covenant people, showing His heart to restore the wayward (Jeremiah 3:12-14).

This is a relative, not absolute, judgment. Neither kingdom is righteous in itself (Romans 3:10), yet Israel’s response—or lack of further rebellion after exile—made her look better by comparison.

• Jesus used similar language when He said it would be “more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon” than for unrepentant Galilean towns (Matthew 11:21-24).

• The tax collector who humbled himself was counted “justified rather than” the self-righteous Pharisee (Luke 18:13-14).

• God weighs not only deeds but the light rejected; less privilege spurned can appear less heinous than greater light despised (John 15:22).

Judah possessed the temple, the priesthood, and the Davidic promises, yet hardened her heart after seeing Israel’s downfall (Jeremiah 3:8-10).

•Ezekiel 23 describes Judah (“Oholibah”) as more depraved than her sister Israel (“Oholah”).

• Greater knowledge brings greater accountability (Luke 12:47-48); trampling richer grace invites severer judgment (Hebrews 10:29).

• Judah’s hypocrisy—worship in Jerusalem while clinging to idols (Jeremiah 7:8-11)—made her guiltier, confirming that privilege without repentance intensifies sin.

Jeremiah 3:11 declares God’s measured verdict: Israel’s notorious unfaithfulness, already punished, is eclipsed by Judah’s brazen rebellion in the face of greater light. The verse warns that religious privilege without genuine repentance incurs heavier guilt, while also revealing God’s persistent call for both kingdoms to return to Him.