I am watching over them for harm and not for good, and every man of Judah who is in the land of Egypt will meet his end by sword or famine, until they are finished off. I am watching over them for harm and not for goodThis phrase reflects God's judgment upon the people of Judah who fled to Egypt against His command. The concept of God "watching over" is often associated with protection and blessing (e.g., Psalm 121:5), but here it is inverted to signify divine judgment. This reversal underscores the seriousness of their disobedience. Theologically, it highlights the principle that God's protection is contingent upon obedience to His covenant. The idea of God actively bringing harm rather than good is a sobering reminder of the consequences of persistent rebellion against Him. and every man of Judah who is in the land of Egypt
The historical context is crucial here. After the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, some Judeans fled to Egypt for refuge, despite Jeremiah's warnings (Jeremiah 42:19-22). Egypt, often a symbol of worldly reliance and idolatry, was a place God had explicitly told them not to return to (Deuteronomy 17:16). This act of fleeing to Egypt represents a lack of trust in God's promises and a return to old dependencies, reminiscent of Israel's past bondage. will meet his end by sword or famine
This phrase indicates the means of judgment: sword and famine, common instruments of divine retribution in the Old Testament (e.g., Leviticus 26:25-26). The sword represents warfare and violence, while famine signifies scarcity and suffering. These judgments are consistent with the curses outlined in the covenant for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The use of these specific judgments underscores the severity of their rebellion and the certainty of God's word being fulfilled. until they are finished off
The phrase "finished off" indicates the completeness of the judgment. It suggests that the consequences will be thorough and leave no remnant of those who defied God's command by seeking refuge in Egypt. This totality of judgment serves as a stark warning to the people of God about the seriousness of covenant unfaithfulness. It also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and separation of the righteous from the unrighteous, a theme that is further developed in the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 25:31-46). Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah. He is known for his perseverance in the face of opposition. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, which had fallen into idolatry and disobedience against God. Many of its people fled to Egypt to escape Babylonian conquest. 3. EgyptA place of refuge for the people of Judah, but also a land associated with past bondage and idolatry. It represents a turning away from trusting in God. 4. God's JudgmentThe event of divine retribution where God declares that He will watch over the people for harm due to their disobedience and idolatry. 5. Sword and FamineInstruments of God's judgment, symbolizing war and scarcity, which are consequences of the people's rebellion against God. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in JudgmentGod is actively involved in the affairs of nations and individuals, and His judgments are just and purposeful. Consequences of DisobedienceDisobedience to God's commands leads to inevitable consequences, as seen in the fate of Judah in Egypt. The Danger of Misplaced TrustTrusting in worldly powers or solutions, like Judah did with Egypt, leads to spiritual and physical ruin. The Call to RepentanceEven in judgment, there is an implicit call to repentance and a return to God, who desires restoration. The Importance of Heeding God's WordIgnoring prophetic warnings, as Judah did, results in dire consequences. We must be attentive to God's Word and guidance. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Jeremiah 44:27 reveal about God's character and His response to disobedience? 2. How does the experience of Judah in Egypt serve as a warning for us today regarding where we place our trust? 3. In what ways can we ensure that we are heeding God's warnings in our own lives? 4. How do the themes of judgment and repentance in Jeremiah 44:27 connect with the broader message of the Bible? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced consequences for disobedience. How did that experience shape your understanding of God's justice and mercy? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, providing a backdrop for understanding the consequences faced by Judah. Jeremiah 42-43These chapters describe the warnings given by Jeremiah to the remnant of Judah not to go to Egypt, which they ignored, leading to the judgment in Jeremiah 44:27. Isaiah 31:1This verse warns against relying on Egypt for help instead of trusting in God, highlighting the misplaced trust of Judah. People Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, ZedekiahPlaces Babylon, Egypt, Jerusalem, Memphis, Migdol, Pathros, TahpanhesTopics Behold, Completely, Consumed, Consumption, Destroyed, Egypt, Evil, Famine, Harm, Jews, Judah, Meet, Perish, Sword, Till, Wasted, Watch, WatchingDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 44:27 4823 famine, physical Jeremiah 44:25-28 5741 vows Jeremiah 44:25-30 8807 profanity Jeremiah 44:26-27 7505 Jews, the 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 44:27 NIVJeremiah 44:27 NLTJeremiah 44:27 ESVJeremiah 44:27 NASBJeremiah 44:27 KJV
Jeremiah 44:27 Commentaries
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