e with idols. But here the
question arises:--How far is the remedy suited for the attainment of
this end? We can by no means think of an external obstacle. Outwardly,
there was, during the exile, and in the midst of idolatrous nations,
a stronger temptation to idolatry than they had in their native land.
Hence, we can think of an internal obstacle only; and then again we
can think only of the absolute incapacity of the idols to grant to the
people consolation and relief in their sufferings. If this incapacity
has been first ascertained by experience, we begin to lose our
confidence in them, and seek help where alone it can be found. As early
as in Deut. xxxii. we are told how misery proves the nothingness of
false gods, and shows that the Lord alone is God; compare especially
ver. 36 sqq. Jeremiah says in ii. 28, "And where are thy gods that thou
hast made thee? Let them arise and help thee in the time of trouble."
That which the gods cannot turn away, they cannot have sent; and if the
suffering be sent by the Lord, it is natural that help should be sought
from Him also. Compare vi. 1: "Come and let us return unto the Lord,
for He hath torn and He healeth us, He smiteth and He bindeth us up."

Ver. 9. "_And she runs after her lovers and shall not overtake, and she
seeks them and shall not find; then she saith: I will go and return to
my first husband, for it was better with me then than now._"

[Hebrew: rdP] has, in _Piel_, not a transitive, but an intensive
meaning. _Calvin_ remarks: "By the verb, insane fervour is indicated,
as indeed we see that idolaters are like madmen; it shows that such is
the perverseness of their hearts, that they will not at once return to
a sound mind." The distress at first only increases [Pg 241] the zeal
in idolatry; compare Jer. xliv. 17. Every effort is made to move the
idols to help. But if help be, notwithstanding, refused--and how could
it be otherwise, since they from whom it is sought are _Elilim_,
_i.e._, nothings?--they by and by begin to bethink themselves, and to
recover their senses. They discover the nothingness of their idols, and
return to the true God. This apostasy and return are in a touching
manner described by our prophet in xiv. 2-4 also. The words, "I will go
and return to my first husband," form a beautiful contrast to, "I will
go after my lovers," in ver. 7. This statement of the result shows that
God's mercy is then greatest and most effective, just when it seems t