Jeremiah 44-46

Jeremiah 44

Jeremiah is now in Egypt with the refugees who fled against God’s command.

God reminds them:

• Jerusalem was destroyed because of idolatry.
• They provoked Him with false worship.
• Judgment was not random.

Even in Egypt the same sin is repeated! Exile did not change their hearts: 

• They continue burning incense to other gods.
• They have not humbled themselves.
• They have not feared the LORD.

God declares:

• Those in Egypt will face sword and famine.
• Very few will escape.
• Egypt will not protect them.

The people respond: 

• They will not listen to Jeremiah “We will do everything we have vowed…”
• They defend worship of the “queen of heaven.”
•  Assyro-Babylonian Ishtar (Ashtoreth in Hebrew)
• Wives blamed husbands, husbands stuck up for wives
• They claim life was better when we worshiped her.

Jeremiah responds: Your idolatry caused your destruction.

Sign given: Pharaoh Hophra will fall.

Jeremiah 45

Baruch (Jeremiah’s scribe) feels overwhelmed. He says: “Woe is me!”

God tells Baruch:

• Do not seek great things.
• Disaster is coming.
• Your life will be spared.

Jeremiah 46

This begins the “Oracles Against the Nations” through Jeremiah 51

Historical event: 605 BC  Battle of Carchemish. Babylon defeats Egypt 

Jeremiah gives prophecy that Babylon will invade Egypt. Their strength will fail and even mighty cities will tremble.

After judging Egypt, God says:

• Do not fear, O Jacob.
• I will discipline you but not destroy you.
• Restoration remains.

Application

Even after judgment, and MORE warnings, Israel chose idols over God. Time and time again they hardened their hearts. But the God who rules over Judah rules over all, including their ‘mighty’ Egypt and dead idols. Do we forget how big our God is? It can be easy to read this passage and roll our eyes at the Israelites, but how many times do we deliberately disobey God?