Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 3:8

8 And I saw , when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a bill of divorce , yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not , but went and played the harlot also .

q. d. That which others discern not, I saw well enough, viz. Both her Hypocrisie and dissimulation, and her incorrigibleness notwithstanding what had been befallen Israel, whose correction should have been her instruction; thus God speaks of the notice he took of both, ch. 23.13, 14. Israel is said to be backsliding, but Iudah treacherous, because she retained the Worship of God, though she did often privately, and closely embrace Idols, and sometimes publickly under Manasse[illegible: 1 letter] and Ahaz, and other wicked Kings.

Or notwithstanding all the ground, and reason I had to deal so with Israel in regard of her Adulteries, as to put her way.

Delivered her up into the hands of the Assyrian, where God took from her the title of being his Church, 2 King. 17.5, 6. &c. which he calls here a bill of divorce, not such a one as the Jews were allowed to give upon every slight ground (for such an one God denies, that ever he gave them, and challengeth them to produce it, Isa. 50.1.) but upon just, and great occasion, viz. her playing the Adulteress against him in her Idolatries.

i. e. Was neither afraid of giving me offence, nor of the like punishment.

Although she had seen the judgment of God executed upon Israel before her eyes, which made it the more stupendious, that she would take no warning by her Sisters sufferings, Prov. 28.14. yet she went on still, Ezek. 23.11, 12, &c.