Jeremiah 44:1-30 & 45:1-5
Q.1. What unfaithful conduct amongst the remaining men and women of Judah was God going to punish? – (Jer.44:1-19)
God delivered a message through Jeremiah – to the Jews living in the land of Egypt … (Jer.44:1). He condemned these fugitives from Judah and stated about them – 3 because of their wickedness which they committed so as to provoke Me to anger by continuing to burn sacrifices and to serve other gods whom they had not known, neither they, you, nor your fathers. 4 Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets, again and again, saying, “Oh, do not do this abominable thing which I hate.” 5 But they did not listen or incline their ears to turn from their wickedness, so as not to burn sacrifices to other gods … but they have not become contrite even to this day, nor have you feared nor walked in My law or My statutes … (Jer.44:3-5, 10). The men and their wives responded to Jeremiah – the message that you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we are not going to listen to you! (Jer.44:16). They claimed that they were better off – burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her… (Jer.44:18 c.f. Jer.44:15-19). Their idolatry was deliberate and calculating.
Q.2. What prediction and promise did God make regarding Judah and Egypt? – (Jer.44:20-30)
Jeremiah was very certain about the Source of his message. He denounced the Jewish delegation for their idolatry (Jer.44:20-23). With cynicism, he urged them to go ahead and confirm their vows to the queen of heaven (Jer.44:25). Then he added – 26 Nevertheless hear the word of the Lord, all Judah who are living in the land of Egypt, ‘Behold, I have sworn by My great name,’ says the Lord, ‘never shall My name be invoked again by the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, “As the Lord God lives.” 27 Behold, I am watching over them for harm and not for good, and all the men of Judah who are in the land of Egypt will meet their end by the sword and by famine until they are completely gone (Jer.44:26-27). Few would ever return to the land of Judah. Just as Zedekiah had been banished to captivity, so would Pharaoh Hophra, King of Egypt in whom they trusted, be given over to King Nebuchadnezzar. Furthermore, Jeremiah gave them a sign that they would see this in their own days (Jer.44:28-30).
Q.3. Was God going to treat Baruch in the same way as the remnant of Judah? – (Jer.45:1-5)
Baruch had faithfully supported and written down God’s prophecies given through Jeremiah 18 years previously (Jer.36:1-4, 32). The people had silenced Baruch. He had felt sorry for himself, and had said – 3 … Ah, woe is me! For the Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am weary with my groaning and have found no rest (Jer.45:3 c.f. Jer.36:17-18, 26). God understood Baruch’s plight. He told Jeremiah to say – ‘… are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I am going to bring disaster on all flesh,’ declares the Lord, ‘but I will give your life to you as booty in all the places where you may go’ (Jer.45:5). The Lord knows how to care for His own (c.f. Jer.29:11; Heb.6:10).