1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews which dwell in the land of Egypt, which dwell at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying,
2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Ye have seen all the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, and upon all the cities of Judah; and, behold, this day they [are] a desolation, and no man dwelleth therein,
3 Because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went to burn incense, [and] to serve other gods, whom they knew not, [neither] they, ye, nor your fathers.
4 Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending [them], saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.
5 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods.
6 Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted [and] desolate, as at this day.
7 Therefore now thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; Wherefore commit ye [this] great evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah, to leave you none to remain;
8 In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye be gone to dwell, that ye might cut yourselves off, and that ye might be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?
9 Have ye forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, and the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their wives, and your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they have committed in the land of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem?
10 They are not humbled [even] unto this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers.
11 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, and to cut off all Judah.
12 And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, [and] fall in the land of Egypt; they shall [even] be consumed by the sword [and] by the famine: they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by the famine: and they shall be an execration, [and] an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.
13 For I will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence:
14 So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.
15 Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,
16 [As for] the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.
17 But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for [then] had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.
18 But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all [things], and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.
19 And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?
20 Then Jeremiah said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had given him [that] answer, saying,
21 The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it [not] into his mind?
22 So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, [and] because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.
23 Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day.
24 Moreover Jeremiah said unto all the people, and to all the women, Hear the word of the LORD, all Judah that [are] in the land of Egypt:
25 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows.
26 Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the LORD, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord GOD liveth.
27 Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that [are] in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.
28 Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs.
29 And this [shall be] a sign unto you, saith the LORD, that I will punish you in this place, that ye may know that my words shall surely stand against you for evil:
30 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.
Context and Background
Jeremiah 44 is set in a time when the people of Judah, particularly those who fled to Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem, are grappling with their identity and faith. This chapter serves as a continuation of Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry, addressing the exiled community in Egypt. The chapter highlights the tension between the people’s desire to worship other gods and the prophetic warnings from Jeremiah about the consequences of such actions.
Key Themes
- Idolatry and Apostasy: The chapter emphasizes the people’s inclination towards idolatry, particularly their worship of the Queen of Heaven, which reflects their rejection of Yahweh.
- Divine Judgment: Jeremiah delivers a stern warning about the impending judgment from God due to the people’s unfaithfulness and refusal to heed the prophetic message.
- Human Rebellion: The people’s defiance against God’s commandments and their insistence on continuing their practices despite warnings illustrates the broader theme of human rebellion against divine authority.
Structure of the Chapter
- Verses 1-10: Jeremiah addresses the Jews in Egypt, recounting their past disobedience and the consequences that followed.
- Verses 11-14: A declaration of judgment against those who continue to worship idols, emphasizing the destruction that awaits them.
- Verses 15-19: The response of the people, who stubbornly defend their idolatrous practices and express their commitment to the Queen of Heaven.
- Verses 20-30: Jeremiah’s final pronouncement of judgment, including specific prophecies about the fate of the people in Egypt.
Analysis of Key Verses
Verses 1-10: Historical Context
These verses provide a backdrop to the people’s current situation, reminding them of their past sins and the consequences that followed. Jeremiah recounts how their disobedience led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, emphasizing that their current plight is a direct result of their actions.
Verses 11-14: Warning of Judgment
In these verses, God through Jeremiah warns that those who continue in their idolatry will face dire consequences. The promise of destruction serves as a serious warning to the exiles, highlighting the seriousness of their actions and the nature of divine justice.
Verses 15-19: The People’s Defiance
The people’s response to Jeremiah’s warning reveals their deep-seated commitment to their former practices. They argue that their worship of the Queen of Heaven brought them prosperity, showcasing their unwillingness to accept responsibility for their plight. This defiance illustrates the human tendency to rationalize sin.
Verses 20-30: Prophetic Judgment
Jeremiah’s concluding words serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of their actions. He prophesies that those who remain in Egypt will perish by sword and famine, while a remnant will return to Judah. This section emphasizes God’s sovereignty and the certainty of His word, contrasting the people’s false security in their idolatry.
Theological Implications
- God’s Sovereignty: The chapter underscores God’s ultimate authority over nations and individuals, affirming that His plans will prevail despite human rebellion.
- The Nature of Sin: The persistent idolatry of the people serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of turning away from God and the consequences that follow.
- Call to Repentance: Jeremiah’s message is not just a warning but also a call to repentance, emphasizing that returning to God is always an option, even amidst judgment.
Conclusion
Jeremiah 44 encapsulates the struggle between faithfulness to God and the allure of idolatry. The chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of remaining steadfast in faith, even in challenging circumstances. Through Jeremiah’s prophetic voice, the text calls for reflection on the nature of worship and the dangers of turning away from divine truth.
