Jeremiah 3:24

Shame; either in general put for sin, which causeth shame, a metonymy of the effect; for that brought shame first into the world, Genesis 2:25. Or in particular the idol Baal, called the shameful thing, Jeremiah 11:13 Hosea 9:10. Hath devoured the labour of our fathers: q.d. This hath been the fruit of our idolatry, to have all things go to ruin, both in respect of expense; that which our fathers having got for themselves and us by their industry, they have expended upon Baal, and other idols, Ezekiel 16:16; and also of the heavy judgments that God brought upon us for it, Jeremiah 5:17. From our youth; either with reference to the nation, ever since they began first to be a people unto God, and followed him in the wilderness, Jeremiah 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. Their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters: all these things are mentioned to show that they did thrive in nothing; but either a blast upon all from God, Hosea 9:11, to the end; Zechariah 2:2,3; or idolatrous sacrifices, consumed all, Amos 4:4,5, the idols not sparing even their very children, Psalms 106:37; or the enemy spoiled them of all, Jeremiah 5:17; and all this as the sad effect of their idolatries.