Jer 44:25 | KingComments | STEP | Then comes Jeremiah’s answer ( ). Do they really think that the LORD did not think of their idolatry and that of their fathers, kings and princes and all the people outside the cities ( )? Wouldn’t thoughts have entered His heart about their abominable conduct? What foolishness to assume that. He has pointed it out time and time again. Also, they could have known it from His law. But His patience is not infinite. The time has come when He has been unable to endure their evil deeds, their abominations, any longer ( ). Therefore, the land became a desolation, without an inhabitant. Surely they can observe that today, can’t they? It is precisely this idolatry that they have practiced and continue to practice today, even outside the land, that has caused this calamity to come upon them ( ). That judgment does not come from their idols, but from the living God. At length Jeremiah argues in which they have transgressed: burning sacrifices, sinning, not listening to the voice of the LORD, not walking according to His law, His ordinances and His testimonies. The proven charges are numerous. Jeremiah continues his indictment of the people, also mentioning the women separately ( ). They are to listen to the word of the LORD. He, the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says that they have just pronounced their own judgment ( ). He has heard correctly that they and their wives – the women are again mentioned separately and therefore emphatically – have said that they are determined to fulfill their vows that they made to the idols. All right, says the LORD, do it! This is consistent with the word of Hosea: “Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone” ( ). They no longer need to be warned because they don’t listen anyway. God gives them over to their actions. They made a vow, the LORD also makes a vow, which He confirms with an oath ( ). Let none of the Jews living in Egypt ever again think that He will listen to them if they take His Name in their mouth. It is over now. He is watching over them for harm and not for good ( ). He has often done the latter, but they have now definitely turned their backs on Him. They will not obey. Judgment must come. Only a few, “few in number”, will escape the sword and return to Judah ( ). They will all know whether His word stands, the word of God, or theirs, the word of men. To deny it will be impossible, for they will experience it firsthand ( ). The sign that His word is true, they will acknowledge by the punishments that come upon them. They believe they are safe in Egypt because Zedekiah made a covenant with Pharaoh Hophra ( ). But the LORD will give Pharaoh into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. Their security is a false security because in doing so they rely on the power of a man rather than the power of God. Those who go against God are not safe anywhere. The shelter will be taken away and so will those who sought shelter. Jeremiah’s service in Egypt to the people who fled to Egypt is the last service we have of him in the midst of God’s people. Thankfully, it is not the end of God’s dealings with His people. He will fulfill all His plans to a remnant that He spares by grace.

‏ Jeremiah 44:25

Judgment on Stubbornness

Then comes Jeremiah’s answer (Jer 44:20). Do they really think that the LORD did not think of their idolatry and that of their fathers, kings and princes and all the people outside the cities (Jer 44:21)? Wouldn’t thoughts have entered His heart about their abominable conduct? What foolishness to assume that. He has pointed it out time and time again. Also, they could have known it from His law. But His patience is not infinite. The time has come when He has been unable to endure their evil deeds, their abominations, any longer (Jer 44:22). Therefore, the land became a desolation, without an inhabitant.

Surely they can observe that today, can’t they? It is precisely this idolatry that they have practiced and continue to practice today, even outside the land, that has caused this calamity to come upon them (Jer 44:23). That judgment does not come from their idols, but from the living God. At length Jeremiah argues in which they have transgressed: burning sacrifices, sinning, not listening to the voice of the LORD, not walking according to His law, His ordinances and His testimonies. The proven charges are numerous.

Jeremiah continues his indictment of the people, also mentioning the women separately (Jer 44:24). They are to listen to the word of the LORD. He, the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says that they have just pronounced their own judgment (Jer 44:25). He has heard correctly that they and their wives – the women are again mentioned separately and therefore emphatically – have said that they are determined to fulfill their vows that they made to the idols. All right, says the LORD, do it! This is consistent with the word of Hosea: “Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone” (Hos 4:17). They no longer need to be warned because they don’t listen anyway. God gives them over to their actions.

They made a vow, the LORD also makes a vow, which He confirms with an oath (Jer 44:26). Let none of the Jews living in Egypt ever again think that He will listen to them if they take His Name in their mouth. It is over now. He is watching over them for harm and not for good (Jer 44:27). He has often done the latter, but they have now definitely turned their backs on Him. They will not obey. Judgment must come.

Only a few, “few in number”, will escape the sword and return to Judah (Jer 44:28). They will all know whether His word stands, the word of God, or theirs, the word of men. To deny it will be impossible, for they will experience it firsthand (Jer 44:29). The sign that His word is true, they will acknowledge by the punishments that come upon them.

They believe they are safe in Egypt because Zedekiah made a covenant with Pharaoh Hophra (Jer 44:30). But the LORD will give Pharaoh into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. Their security is a false security because in doing so they rely on the power of a man rather than the power of God. Those who go against God are not safe anywhere. The shelter will be taken away and so will those who sought shelter.

Jeremiah’s service in Egypt to the people who fled to Egypt is the last service we have of him in the midst of God’s people. Thankfully, it is not the end of God’s dealings with His people. He will fulfill all His plans to a remnant that He spares by grace.