And I will take away the remnant of Judah who have resolved to go to the land of Egypt to reside there; they will meet their end. They will all fall by the sword or be consumed by famine. From the least to the greatest, they will die by sword or famine; and they will become an object of cursing and horror, of vilification and reproach. And I will take away the remnant of JudahThis phrase refers to the small group of Judeans who survived the Babylonian conquest and destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The "remnant" often signifies those who remain faithful to God, but in this context, it highlights those who have physically survived. Theologically, the concept of a remnant is significant throughout the Bible, symbolizing hope and continuity of God's promises despite judgment. who have resolved to go to the land of Egypt to reside there
The decision to flee to Egypt was against God's explicit command through Jeremiah (Jeremiah 42:19). Egypt, historically a place of bondage for the Israelites, represents a return to reliance on human strength and foreign powers rather than trusting in God. This decision reflects a lack of faith and disobedience, reminiscent of Israel's past failures. they will meet their end
This phrase indicates the certainty of judgment. Theologically, it underscores the principle that disobedience to God leads to destruction. Historically, the Judeans' reliance on Egypt for safety was misplaced, as Egypt itself was under threat from Babylonian expansion. They will all fall by the sword or be consumed by famine
The dual mention of "sword" and "famine" emphasizes the completeness of the impending judgment. These are common forms of divine judgment in the Old Testament, often used to demonstrate God's sovereignty and the consequences of sin. This echoes earlier warnings given by prophets like Ezekiel and Isaiah. From the least to the greatest, they will die by sword or famine
This phrase highlights the impartiality of God's judgment. Social status or wealth will not protect anyone from the consequences of disobedience. It reflects the biblical theme that all are equal before God, and His justice applies universally. and they will become an object of cursing and horror, of vilification and reproach
The outcome of their disobedience will serve as a warning to others. This phrase suggests that their fate will be so severe that it will become proverbial, a cautionary tale for future generations. It connects to the broader biblical narrative where Israel's failures serve as lessons for the faithful, emphasizing the importance of obedience and trust in God. Persons / Places / Events 1. Remnant of JudahThe remaining people of Judah who survived the Babylonian conquest and chose to flee to Egypt against God's command. 2. EgyptThe land where the remnant of Judah sought refuge, symbolizing disobedience and reliance on human strength rather than God. 3. JeremiahThe prophet who conveyed God's message of judgment to the people of Judah. 4. Sword and FamineInstruments of God's judgment, representing the consequences of disobedience. 5. Cursing and HorrorThe outcome of Judah's disobedience, serving as a warning to others. Teaching Points Obedience to God’s CommandsThe remnant's decision to go to Egypt was a direct act of disobedience. We must prioritize God's instructions over our own understanding. Consequences of DisobedienceJust as the remnant faced severe consequences, we too must be aware that disobedience leads to spiritual and sometimes physical repercussions. Trust in God, Not in Human StrengthThe remnant trusted in Egypt for safety, but true security comes from reliance on God. Warnings as Acts of MercyGod's warnings through Jeremiah were acts of mercy, giving the people a chance to repent. We should heed divine warnings in our lives. The Importance of RepentanceThe remnant's failure to repent led to their downfall. Repentance is crucial for restoration and avoiding judgment. Bible Study Questions 1. What motivated the remnant of Judah to flee to Egypt, and how can we avoid similar mistakes in our decision-making? 2. How does the concept of "cursing and horror" in Jeremiah 44:12 relate to the blessings and curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28? 3. In what ways do we sometimes rely on "Egypt" (worldly solutions) instead of trusting God, and how can we shift our focus back to Him? 4. How can we recognize and respond to God's warnings in our lives today? 5. What steps can we take to ensure that we are living in obedience to God's commands, and how can we encourage others to do the same? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, similar to the consequences faced by the remnant of Judah. Isaiah 31:1Warns against relying on Egypt for help, paralleling Judah's misplaced trust. 2 Kings 25Describes the fall of Jerusalem and the initial exile, setting the stage for the remnant's flight to Egypt. Ezekiel 20:32-38Discusses Israel's rebellion and God's judgment, echoing the themes in Jeremiah 44. Revelation 18:4Calls believers to come out of Babylon, symbolizing the need to separate from worldly systems and disobedience. People Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, ZedekiahPlaces Babylon, Egypt, Jerusalem, Memphis, Migdol, Pathros, TahpanhesTopics Astonishment, Cause, Condemnation, Consumed, Curse, Cursing, Death, Determined, Die, Disease, Egypt, Enter, Entering, Execration, Faces, Fall, Falling, Famine, Fixed, Greatest, Horror, Imprecation, Judah, Least, Meet, Mind, Minds, Oath, Object, Overtake, Perish, Remnant, Reproach, Reside, Reviling, Settle, Shame, Short, Sojourn, Stopping, Sword, Taunt, WonderDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 44:10 5896 irreverence
8276 humility Library God's Patient Pleadings
'I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.'--JER. xliv. 4. The long death-agony of the Jewish kingdom has come to an end. The frivolous levity, which fed itself on illusions and would not be sobered by facts, has been finally crushed out of the wretched people. The dreary succession of incompetent kings--now a puppet set up by Egypt, now another puppet set up by Babylon, has ended with the weak Zedekiah. The …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureMan's Misery by the Fall
Q-19: WHAT IS THE MISERY OF THAT ESTATE WHEREINTO MAN FELL? A: All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever. 'And were by nature children of wrath.' Eph 2:2. Adam left an unhappy portion to his posterity, Sin and Misery. Having considered the first of these, original sin, we shall now advert to the misery of that state. In the first, we have seen mankind offending; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity That Whereas the City of Jerusalem had Been Five Times Taken Formerly, this was the Second Time of Its Desolation. A Brief Account of Its History.
1. And thus was Jerusalem taken, in the second year of the reign of Vespasian, on the eighth day of the month Gorpeius [Elul]. It had been taken five [34] times before, though this was the second time of its desolation; for Shishak, the king of Egypt, and after him Antiochus, and after him Pompey, and after them Sosius and Herod, took the city, but still preserved it; but before all these, the king of Babylon conquered it, and made it desolate, one thousand four hundred and sixty-eight years and …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem Man's Inability to Keep the Moral Law
Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but does daily break them, in thought, word, and deed. In many things we offend all.' James 3: 2. Man in his primitive state of innocence, was endowed with ability to keep the whole moral law. He had rectitude of mind, sanctity of will, and perfection of power. He had the copy of God's law written on his heart; no sooner did God command but he obeyed. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Mercy of God
The next attribute is God's goodness or mercy. Mercy is the result and effect of God's goodness. Psa 33:5. So then this is the next attribute, God's goodness or mercy. The most learned of the heathens thought they gave their god Jupiter two golden characters when they styled him good and great. Both these meet in God, goodness and greatness, majesty and mercy. God is essentially good in himself and relatively good to us. They are both put together in Psa 119:98. Thou art good, and doest good.' This …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Nature of Covenanting.
A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation, …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Jeremiah 44:12 NIVJeremiah 44:12 NLTJeremiah 44:12 ESVJeremiah 44:12 NASBJeremiah 44:12 KJV
Jeremiah 44:12 Commentaries
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