Instead, we will do everything we vowed to do: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and offer drink offerings to her, just as we, our fathers, our kings, and our officials did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and good things, and we saw no disaster. Instead, we will do everything we vowedThis phrase reflects a deliberate choice to continue in a path contrary to God's commands. The Hebrew root for "vowed" (נדר, nadar) indicates a solemn promise or commitment. Historically, vows were serious undertakings, often made in religious contexts. Here, the people of Judah are choosing to fulfill vows to a pagan deity, highlighting their rebellion against God. This decision underscores the human tendency to cling to familiar practices, even when they lead away from divine truth. to burn incense to the queen of heaven
The "queen of heaven" refers to a pagan goddess, likely Ishtar or Astarte, worshipped in the ancient Near East. Burning incense was a common act of worship, symbolizing prayers or offerings rising to the deity. The Hebrew word for "incense" (קטר, qatar) conveys the idea of a fragrant smoke, a sensory experience meant to please the deity. This practice indicates a syncretism where the people of Judah mixed their worship of Yahweh with pagan rituals, violating the first commandment. and to pour out drink offerings to her
Drink offerings, or libations, were liquid offerings poured out as a sacrifice. The Hebrew term (נסך, nasak) suggests a ritual act of devotion. In the context of Israelite worship, drink offerings were meant for Yahweh alone. By offering them to the "queen of heaven," the people were engaging in idolatry, a direct affront to God's covenant with Israel. This act symbolizes a complete turning away from the exclusive worship of Yahweh. just as we, our fathers, our kings, and our officials did
This phrase highlights the generational and systemic nature of the idolatry. The inclusion of "fathers," "kings," and "officials" suggests that this was not merely a grassroots movement but one endorsed and perpetuated by the nation's leaders. Historically, this reflects periods in Judah's history where idolatry was rampant, such as during the reigns of certain kings who led the nation away from God. It serves as a reminder of the powerful influence of leadership and tradition in shaping religious practices. in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem
The mention of "cities of Judah" and "streets of Jerusalem" emphasizes the widespread nature of the idolatry. Jerusalem, the spiritual center of Israel, was meant to be the heart of Yahweh worship. The fact that these practices occurred openly in the streets signifies a public and pervasive rejection of God. Archaeological evidence from this period shows the presence of altars and idols, corroborating the biblical account of widespread idolatry. At that time we had plenty of food and good things, and we saw no disaster
This statement reflects a common human misconception: equating material prosperity with divine favor. The people of Judah mistakenly believed that their idolatrous practices were the source of their prosperity. The Hebrew word for "plenty" (שׂבע, saba) conveys satisfaction and abundance. This mindset reveals a superficial understanding of God's blessings, ignoring the deeper spiritual and covenantal relationship He desires. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of valuing material wealth over spiritual fidelity. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and repentance to the people of Judah. 2. The People of JudahThe audience of Jeremiah's prophecy, who were living in Egypt after fleeing there following the Babylonian conquest. 3. The Queen of HeavenA pagan deity worshiped by the people of Judah, often associated with fertility and prosperity. 4. Cities of Judah and Streets of JerusalemLocations where the people previously engaged in idolatrous practices. 5. EgyptThe place where the remnant of Judah had fled, continuing their idolatrous practices despite God's warnings. Teaching Points The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry is a direct violation of God's commandments and leads to spiritual and physical ruin. The people of Judah mistakenly believed that their prosperity was due to their idolatrous practices rather than God's provision. The Deceptiveness of False SecurityThe people of Judah equated their past prosperity with their idolatrous practices, failing to recognize that true security and blessing come from obedience to God. The Importance of ObedienceObedience to God is paramount. The people of Judah's refusal to heed Jeremiah's warnings highlights the consequences of disobedience. The Role of TraditionThe people justified their actions by pointing to the practices of their ancestors. This serves as a reminder to evaluate traditions against the truth of God's Word. Repentance and ReturnDespite their rebellion, God continually called His people to repentance. This underscores His mercy and desire for restoration. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern-day "idols" that can distract us from fully worshiping God, and how can we guard against them? 2. How does the account of Judah's idolatry in Jeremiah 44:17 serve as a warning for us today in our spiritual walk? 3. In what ways can we ensure that our traditions align with biblical teachings rather than contradict them? 4. How can we discern when we are placing our security in things other than God, and what steps can we take to correct this? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's call to repentance. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-5The commandment against idolatry, which the people of Judah were violating by worshiping the queen of heaven. Deuteronomy 28:47-48The consequences of not serving the Lord with joy and gladness, which the people of Judah experienced as they turned to other gods. 1 Kings 11:5Solomon's idolatry, which set a precedent for the worship of foreign gods, including the queen of heaven. 2 Kings 17:16-18The fall of Israel due to idolatry, serving as a warning to Judah. Romans 1:21-23The New Testament perspective on idolatry and the futility of worshiping created things rather than the Creator. People Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, ZedekiahPlaces Babylon, Egypt, Jerusalem, Memphis, Migdol, Pathros, TahpanhesTopics Bread, Burn, Burning, Carry, Certainly, Cities, Draining, Drink, Drink-offerings, Evil, Fathers, Forefathers, Forth, Harm, Heads, Heaven, Heavens, Incense, Jerusalem, Judah, Kings, Libations, Misfortune, Mouth, Mouths, Offer, Offerings, Officials, Ourselves, Perform, Perfume, Perfumes, Plenty, Pour, Pouring, Princes, Proceeded, Proceedeth, Prospered, Provisions, Queen, Rather, Rulers, Sacrifices, Satisfied, Sky, Streets, Suffered, Towns, Victuals, Vowed, Whatever, WhatsoeverDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 44:17 4035 abundance
5505 roads Jeremiah 44:17-18 8829 superstition Jeremiah 44:17-19 5487 queen
7350 drink offering
8142 religion 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 44:17 NIVJeremiah 44:17 NLTJeremiah 44:17 ESVJeremiah 44:17 NASBJeremiah 44:17 KJV
Jeremiah 44:17 Commentaries
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