Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 3:24

24 For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth ; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters .

Either in general put for sin, which causeth shame, a Metonymy of the Effect; for that brought shame first into the World, Gen. 2.25. Or, in particular the Idol Baal called the shameful thing, Ier. 11.13. Hos. 9.10.

q. d. This hath been the fruit of our Idolatry, to have all things go to ruine, both in respect of expence, that which our Fathers having got for themselves, and us by their industry, they have expended upon Baal, and other Idols, Ezek. 16.16. to 21. and also of the heavy Judgments, that God brought upon us for it. chap. 5.17.

Either with reference to the nation, ever since they began first to be a People unto God, and followed him in the Wilderness, chap. 2.2. or rather ever since we were born, or took notice of any thing, thus it was from time to time, we find from our Childhood, that our Fathers have laboured in vain, and all things have succeeded ill with us, because of their departure from God.

All these things are mentioned to shew, that they did thrive in nothing, but either a blast upon all from God, Hos. 9.11. to the end Mal. 2.2, 3. or Idolatrous Sacrifices consumed all, Amos 4.4, 5. the Idols not sparing even our very Children, Psal. 106.37. or the Enemy spoiled us of all, chap. 5.17. and all this as the sad effect of our Idolatries.