Jeremiah 44-45

< Back to Jeremiah Index

TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Remnant’s Wickedness and God’s Warnings

When the remnant first fled to Egypt, they settled in Tahpanhes, which was in the northeastern delta area. In verse 1 of this chapter, it is recorded that the people had settled well down into southern Egypt, in Pathros. How many years, approximately, had taken place between their arrival in Egypt and the events of this chapter?
What wicked behavior was continuing to take place among the Jewish remnant that so provoked God?
What did the people blame for their current sad circumstances?
What happened to Pharaoh Hophra, the king of Egypt, in whom the Jewish remnant put their hope for safety?
According to Jeremiah’s prophecy, would there be any survivors among the remnant who would be able to return to the land of Judah? What understanding did Jeremiah say the Lord would give them?

The events of chapter 44 would have happened in about 580 BC, at least 5 years after Jerusalem had fallen and after the refugees of Judah had fled to Egypt.
The Jewish remnant continued to practice the worship of false gods while refusing to listen to the one true God. God described this as wickedness (vs 2-10).
The Jews not only continued their worship of false gods, but were convinced that their present problems were because they had “stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her.” (See Jeremiah 44:18-19.)
The people of the remnant had placed their hope in the Pharaoh Hophra, but he came under God’s judgment as well (v 30). He was killed in a revolt, and eventually Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians invaded and defeated Egypt. Only a few surviving Jewish refugees were able to return to Judah (v 28).
Yes. God would allow a small number of the people to return to the land of Judah and He said they would know “whose words will stand, Mine or theirs.”

God, through Jeremiah, continuously warned the refuges living in Egypt of His coming judgment if they did not repent of their wicked ways. Not only were they disobedient when the chose to leave the land of Judah, knowing full well God’s prophecy of judgment if they went to Egypt, but they continued to be unrepentant in the midst of their problems in Egypt. God warned them throughout the years, (See chapters 43 and 44.) Consider how God’s people could ignore such direct and repeated warnings and yet continue in their wicked ways. Can this happen to God’s people today?

In Jeremiah 45:5, God said to Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe, “And do you seek great things for yourself?” Is this a question that would be appropriate for God to ask you today? Pride can subtly cause us to desire the praise and recognition of others. Read John 5:41-44 in this regard.

“And this shall be a sign to you,” says the Lord, “that I will punish you in this place, that you may know that My words will surely stand against you for adversity.” Jeremiah 44:29