God longs for the time in the wilderness, after the exodus from Egypt. Like a man looks back on the time of the first courtship, when he and his girlfriend were completely in love with each other. That was also the time when the covenant (the wedding
of God and his people) was made. They had pledged their loyalty to each other forever. Although the wilderness in itself is not a pleasant place (you cannot sow and reap there), Israel had trusted God and followed him there.
2 Va, et crie aux oreilles de Jérusalem: Ainsi parle l'Eternel: Je me souviens de ton amour lorsque tu étais jeune, De ton affection lorsque tu étais fiancée, Quand tu me suivais au désert, Dans une terre inculte.