Jeremiah 5:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Lord is alive, they claim; for this reason, do they not take false oaths? He emphasizes that it is insufficient merely to swear without adhering to one’s promises. Observe that God does not tirelessly pursue only His interests, but also considers the welfare of His neighbors. Reflect on the harm that a false oath can inflict, as it has the power to devastate an entire city. For one who swears by anything other than God, perhaps by malevolent forces, commits a grave transgression when they use an oath that brings harm to others. In this way, they violate their promises, disregarding my worship as insignificant, and, under my name, exploit it to engage in wicked actions.

Journey through the streets of Jerusalem, seeking diligently, examining carefully if you can locate any individual who practices justice and seeks faith; for I will show compassion towards Jerusalem. Although they may declare, "The Lord lives," by such statements they may still be lying. The love for righteousness is profound: not as God once posed a question to Abraham, assuring that for ten righteous individuals He would spare the city (Genesis 18); yet if Jerusalem, destined for destruction, were to find even one who pursues righteousness and seeks faith (or, as Simmachus interpreted it, truth), He would indeed show mercy. Moreover, it is possible that among the populace there exist false worshippers of God and those who invoke His name insincerely.

Explore the paths of Jerusalem, take a moment to observe and understand, and search among its hills: if you discover a man there, if you find someone who practices justice and seeks faith, I will show mercy to him, declares the Lord. The extent of their wickedness and the compassion of the Lord are unmatched. They unite in their rebellion against the law, yet the Lord extends grace even to one who adheres to it, promising forgiveness to all. The phrase “Look up, and know, and search” urges a thorough inquiry. They proclaim, “The Lord lives,” while they take oaths in deceit. The earlier words affirm that the Lord commanded not only that they should swear by Him rather than by idols, but that their vows should be sincere. The Prophet then goes on: