These words the Jews applied to themselves. And because God had shown them so great favor and mercy, they flattered themselves that, notwithstanding their sins and iniquities, he would still retain them as his favored people, and shower especial blessings upon them. They misapplied the words of Jeremiah, and depended for their salvation upon being called the children of Abraham. If they had indeed been worthy of the name of Abraham’s children, they would have followed the righteous example of their father Abraham, and would have done the works of Abraham. {2SP 52.3}

Disse ord brugte jøderne på dem selv. Og fordi Gud havde vist dem så stor yndest og barmhjertighed, bildte de sig selv ind at de, på trods af deres synder og uretfærdighed, stadig ville holde dem tilbage som hans begunstigede folk, og viste særlige velsignelser over dem. De misbrugte Jeremias ord, og gjorde deres frelse afhængig af at være Abrahams børn. Hvis de i virkeligheden var Abrahams børns navn værdig, ville de have fulgt deres fader Abrahams retfærdig eksempel, og ville have gjort Abrahams gerninger.