Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 44

Verses 1-30

The next prophecy in Egypt was of a fiery protest against the persistent rebellion of the people of God. The prophet reminded them of the patience of God, and of how His anger had already been poured out on Jerusalem, and declared that the rebellious remnant which had found its way into Egypt would be wholly cut off.

This message was answered by a defiant and persistent declaration of rebellion, in which they misinterpreted their own history by declaring that all the evils that had befallen them resulted from attacks on idolatry, and deliberately declared their intention to continue their idolatrous practices.

This drew from Jeremiah his final prophecy, in which he answered their argument by declaring that their sorrows were the result of their idolatry rather than, as they affirmed, the result of turning from idols. He foretold the determined judgment of God, saying that they would be consumed, only a small remnant escaping from Egypt; and ended by announcing that the sign of Jehovah to them would be the defeat of Pharaoh-Hophra, and his being handed over to those who sought his life.