Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 31:32

32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt , which my covenant they brake , although I was an husband to them, saith the LORD .

Not in substance differing from it, but in circumstances vastly differing, as was shewed before, and is further declared afterward. The Covenant which God made with the Iewes when they came out of the Land of Egypt, was on Gods part the Law which he gave them, with the promises annexed to their observation of it; on their part (which made it a formal Covenant) their promise of obedience to it, of which see Exod. 24.7, 8. Deut. 26.17, 18. This Covenant God saith he made with them, when they were an impotent weak people, the care of whom he took upon him, and led them as a Parent leadeth the feeble child by his hand. None must imagine that this Covenant did not contain the promise of pardon, through the blood of the Messiah, upon their application to him, for to what purpose else was it confirmed by blood, Exod. 24.8.

Which Covenant they are said to have broken, not because of every disobedience to the Law of God, for so every one daily breaketh it, but by their gross and eminent sinnings, so oft repeated, and continued in without repentance, and more particularly by their Id[illegible: 1 letter]l[illegible: 1 letter]try, which is compared to whoredom, which breaketh the Covenant, and bond of Marriage, and causeth God to say unto a people, Lo Ammi you are not my people.

And this Covenant breaking is aggravated from Gods kindness to them, and care of them; who had for them the love, and declared the care of an husband, and gave them no temptation to go a whoring from him.

Marginal references: Or, should I have continued an husband unto them.