Jeremiah 44
PATJeremiah reproves the Jews in Egypt, for their continuance in idolatry, notwithstanding the exemplary judgments of God upon their own country and nation for that sin. Upon their obstinate refusal to reform their evil practices, he denounces utter destruction to them, and the king of Egypt, to whose protection fhey had betook themselves.
Jeremiah 44:1
KjONCERNING all the Jews— which dwell at MigdoL. A place near the Red Sea. (See Exod. xiv. 2.) And at Noph.] Commonly called Memphis, a royal seat formerly: near this place stands one of the pyramids, which is yet remaining. And in the country of Pathros.] That is, the country of Thebais, as Bochart proves by several arguments, (Phaleg. lib. iv. cap. 27.) Vcr. 3. To serve other gods, tvhom they knew not, neither they, yoiij nor your fathers.] Compare Dcut. xiii. 6. xxxii. 17. These idols are opposed to the true God, called elsewhere the God of their fathers; i.e. He that had made himself known to them by so many miracles of mercy, and had promised to shew the same favour to their posterity, if they continued steadfast in their obedience.
Jeremiah 44:4
Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets. See vii. 13. xxv. 4. Vcr. 5. To burn no incense to other gods.] Seo ver. 17. 21. xix. 13.
Jeremiah 44:7
To cut off man and tvoman, infant and suckling, out ofJudah. God designed that this remnant should have kept possession in Judea, when the rest of their brethren were carried away captive. (Sec xlii. 10.) But by their going into Egypt, and defiling themselves with the idolatries of that nation, they have provoked God to make an utter destruction of them. (See vcr. 11, 12, 14. 27,)
Jeremiah 44:11
Behold, I tvillset my face aguiust you for evil. See xxi. 10. Lev. xvii. 10. xx. 5. Psal. xxxiv. 16.. the New Testament, to signify those who embrace the gospel, and thereby arc rescued from that destruction which is threatened to unbelievers. (See Acts ii. 47. 1 Cor. i. IS. 2 Cor. ii. 15.) Vcr. 17. But we ivill certainly do whatsoever thing goeth out of our own mouth.] That which we have solemnly vowed to perform. (Sec ver. 25.) So the phrase is used, Numb. xxx. 12. Deut. xxiii. 23. Judg. xi.3G. To burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink-offerings to her, &c] To the moon and the rest of the host of heavon. (Soe the notes on vii. 18. xix. 13.) For then we had plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.] They compare their former condition before the invasion of Judea, and the siege of Jerusalem, with their present state: and argue, from the fallacious topic of worldly prosperity, that then they must needs have been in the right.’ ••
Jeremiah 44:19
A7id tvhen we burnt incense to the queen of heaven. These are the words of the women, who were the most zealous promoters of this idolatry. (See ver. 15.) Did we make her cakes to ivorship her?] See the note on vii. 18.
Jeremiah 44:22
So that the Lord could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings. God’s patience is elsewhere said to be wearied out by men’s continued provocations. (See Isa. vii. 13. xliii. 24. Mal.ii.17.)
Jeremiah 44:25
We ivill surely perform our vows which we Jutve vowed. They insist upon their unlawful vow as an obligation in conscience, which could not be dispensed with; just as Herod did upon his unlawful oath, Matt. xiv. 9. Ver. 2G. I have sworn by my great name, saith the Lord.] I also have made a solemn vow, in opposition to that wicked one of yours, ver. 55. Tliat my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man ofJudah in the land of Egypt.] These Jews seem to have joined the worship. of tlie true God with that of idols, as the Samaritans did before them, (2 Kings xvii. 33.) thereupon God declares he will not receive any such polluted worship at their hands, (compare Ezek. xx. 39.) nor suffer his name to be any longer profaned by such hypocrites, but will consume them by a sudden and general destruction; or will deliver them up to impenitence and utter apostacy.