backsliding is used seven times in this chapter. Judah was gradually sliding away from the Lord and ignoring His loving pleas. What is backsliding like? Backsliding is like harlotry. The nation was “married” to Jehovah at Sinai when God gave her His covenant. But Judah became an unfaithful wife whose love was growing cold (Jer. 2:2) and whose “lovers” were many. God could “divorce” His defiled wife; but if He did, she could not return to Him (Deut. 24:1–4). So, instead of divorcing her, God warned