1. Jeremiah 2:10 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why does God refer to the coasts of Cyprus and to Kedar?

Jeremiah 2:10 (ESV)

10 For cross to the coasts of Cyprus and see, or send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has been such a thing.

He mentions the people of Kittim, the inhabitants of the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea (west of Israel) and the inhabitants of Kedar, a desert area east of Israel. He wants Israel to ask those nations a question, namely: have you ever exchanged your own gods for other gods? They will look at Israel in bewilderment: you do not do such a thing! People can sometimes add gods, but you can never discard your own gods or exchange them for others! And then you have to remember: those are not even real gods! They are nothing compared to the Lord! And Israel, the people of this Lord, does it. They exchange their Honour, their Glory, their glorious God, for something that is of no use—powers that cannot really help you. What folly!