Jeremiah 2:12,13

JEREMIAH—NOTE ON Jeremiah 2:12 The heavens, called as witnesses in the lawsuit (see note on v. 9), are shocked by Israel’s abandoning the fountain of living waters for broken cisterns that can hold no water. Palestine has three sources of water. The best is fresh running water, such as flows from a spring or stream, which is called “living water” (see Leviticus 14:5, esv footnote; Genesis 26:19; John 4:10; Revelation 7:17). Next comes ground water, such as might collect in a well. Last is runoff water collected in a cistern (a pit hewn into the limestone and plastered to prevent seepage; see note on Jer. 38:6). Thus, in Jeremiah’s image, not only have the Israelites traded the best of water supplies for the worst, but also their cistern is broken. All its water has leaked out and nothing but sludge remains. Israel’s covenant infidelity is not just ungrateful and unnatural; it is also foolish. It leaves them without help in the coming difficult days.