because of the evil they have done. They provoked Me to anger by continuing to burn incense and to serve other gods that neither they nor you nor your fathers ever knew. because of the evil they have done.This phrase highlights the moral and spiritual failures of the people of Judah. The "evil" refers to their idolatry and disobedience to God's commandments. In the context of Jeremiah, this evil is a recurring theme, as the prophet repeatedly calls out the people's unfaithfulness. The historical backdrop includes the reigns of several kings of Judah who led the nation into idolatry, despite the reforms of kings like Josiah. This evil is not just a breach of law but a violation of the covenant relationship with God, which demanded exclusive worship and obedience. They provoked Me to anger
The provocation of God's anger is a significant theme in the Old Testament, where God's holiness and justice are contrasted with human sinfulness. This phrase indicates that the people's actions were not just passive disobedience but active rebellion against God. The anger of God is not capricious but a righteous response to sin. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as Deuteronomy 9:7-8, where Israel's rebellion is said to provoke God to wrath. Theologically, this underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance. by continuing to burn incense
Burning incense was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern religions, often associated with worship and prayer. In the context of Judah, this practice had been corrupted by the incorporation of pagan rituals. The burning of incense to other gods was a direct violation of the first commandment (Exodus 20:3) and was symbolic of the people's spiritual adultery. Archaeological findings, such as altars and incense burners, provide evidence of these practices. The persistence in this act signifies a hardened heart and a refusal to return to the worship of Yahweh. and to serve other gods
Serving other gods was a direct breach of the covenant established at Sinai, where God declared Himself as the only true God. This phrase reflects the syncretism that plagued Israel and Judah, where the worship of Yahweh was mixed with the worship of Canaanite deities like Baal and Asherah. The historical context includes the influence of surrounding nations and their religions, which often led Israel astray. This idolatry is condemned throughout the prophetic books and is seen as spiritual unfaithfulness akin to adultery. that neither they nor you nor your fathers ever knew.
This phrase emphasizes the foreignness of the gods being worshiped, highlighting that these deities were not part of the heritage or revelation given to the ancestors of Israel. The God of Israel had revealed Himself uniquely to the patriarchs and through the Exodus, establishing a relationship based on knowledge and covenant. The worship of unknown gods represents a departure from this revealed truth. This is reminiscent of Paul's speech in Acts 17:23, where he speaks of the "unknown god" to the Athenians, contrasting the true God with their ignorance. Theologically, this underscores the importance of knowing God as He has revealed Himself, rather than through human invention or tradition. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. He is known for his perseverance in the face of opposition. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, which had fallen into idolatry and was facing God's judgment as a result of their disobedience. 3. EgyptThe place where the remnant of Judah fled after the destruction of Jerusalem, despite God's command to remain in the land. It symbolizes a place of disobedience and misplaced trust. 4. IdolatryThe act of worshiping other gods, which was strictly forbidden by God. It was a recurring sin among the Israelites, leading to their downfall. 5. God's JudgmentThe consequence of the people's persistent idolatry and disobedience, resulting in their exile and suffering. Teaching Points The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can also be anything that takes the place of God in our lives. We must examine our hearts to ensure that God remains our primary focus. The Consequences of DisobedienceDisobedience to God's commands leads to spiritual and sometimes physical consequences. We must strive to live in obedience to God's Word to avoid these pitfalls. The Importance of Remembering God's FaithfulnessThe Israelites forgot the faithfulness of God, which led them to seek other gods. We must continually remind ourselves of God's past faithfulness to strengthen our trust in Him. The Call to RepentanceGod always provides an opportunity for repentance. We should be quick to turn back to God when we recognize sin in our lives. Trusting God's PlanThe remnant of Judah fled to Egypt out of fear, not faith. We must learn to trust God's plan, even when it seems difficult or counterintuitive. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern forms of idolatry that can distract us from our relationship with God? 2. How can we ensure that we are living in obedience to God's commands in our daily lives? 3. In what ways can we remind ourselves of God's faithfulness to prevent spiritual drift? 4. How does the account of Judah's disobedience and its consequences serve as a warning for us today? 5. What steps can we take to trust in God's plan, especially when it seems challenging or unclear? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-5This passage outlines the first and second commandments, which prohibit the worship of other gods and the making of idols. It provides the foundational law that the people of Judah violated. Deuteronomy 29:24-28This passage describes the consequences of forsaking the covenant with God and turning to other gods, which parallels the situation in Jeremiah 44. 1 Kings 11:4-11This passage recounts Solomon's fall into idolatry, which set a precedent for future generations and highlights the dangers of turning away from God. People Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, ZedekiahPlaces Babylon, Egypt, Jerusalem, Memphis, Migdol, Pathros, TahpanhesTopics Anger, Burn, Burning, Committed, Continuing, Didn't, Evil, Fathers, Gods, Incense, Moving, Offer, Perfume, Perfumes, Provoke, Provoked, Provoking, Sacrifices, Serve, Serving, Wickedness, Worship, Worshiping, Wrath, YoursDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 44:3 1025 God, anger of
6218 provoking God
7386 incense Jeremiah 44:2-6 5508 ruins 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 44:3 NIVJeremiah 44:3 NLTJeremiah 44:3 ESVJeremiah 44:3 NASBJeremiah 44:3 KJV
Jeremiah 44:3 Commentaries
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